Irina

Kitchen island storage ideas to maximise your design

Posted on 8th May 2025

Do you lack storage in your kitchen, and an island is top of your renovation wishlist? We’re delving into all the clever ways you can max out your space.

If you think about it, the island has become some sort of mini-kitchen in and of itself, often providing worktop space, built-in appliances, seating, sometimes even a second sink and tap, and, our topic of discussion today, much-needed extra storage.

A blue kitchen design laid out in an L shape with a central island with seating. — The Summerville collection in Inky Sky, from £25,000, Tom Howley.

Such a multi-functional hub works particularly well in larger, open-plan schemes or if your layout restricts you in terms of wall cupboards and shelves. “A kitchen island is an easy way to pack in storage, seating, and a whole host of appliances if you’re limited on wall space,” says Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous kitchen company.

So, what are some of the ways you can include storage in an island?

Storage ideas for kitchen islands

Whether you’re going for a statement, monolithic piece or a freestanding chef’s table, classic cupboard-style storage with door fronts, drawers, and shelves are all great options for maximising the base of your island.

A classic kitchen design with open shelving, drawers, and cupboards. — Handmade Shaker kitchen, from £10,000, Olive & Barr.

“Depending on the orientation of your island, consider using both sides, adding either deep shelving for cookbooks or drawers for hiding away crockery and small appliances,” advises Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr. “For a decorative look, consider glass-fronted cabinets.” This way, you can put your artisan crockery, crystal glassware, and cookbooks on display while not having to worry too much about maintenance.

“Shelving can also be decorative,” adds Al. “For a uniform and aesthetically pleasing island shelf, look to decant your dried food items into mason jars and use jute or woven baskets to hide any possible clutter.”

A modern design with a central island with glass-fronted cabinetry and an indoor-outdoor connection. — A multi-functional island with a mix of storage solutions, from open shelving to glass-fronted cupboards and drawers. Design by The Mint List. Photography: Dave Watts.

You can also opt for bespoke kitchen island storage. Think knife racks, deep drawers for pots and pans or equipped with peg boards for holding crockery, corner pull-out solutions to optimise awkward nooks, and so much more. Although this does come with a higher price tag, the accessibility a custom design can offer is oh-so-worth it. “Built-in chopping board storage is a key piece to incorporate; you will use this often, so having a designated place to store that’s close to hand is worthwhile,” says Al.

A large open-plan space with cream and charcoal cabinetry, steel-framed glazing, and a dining area. — “Islands are perfect for adding more storage to your kitchen, whether you choose to design them with shelves, baskets, cupboards, or drawers,” says Rebecca Nokes, design director at John Lewis of Hungerford. Shaker kitchen from £25,000.

And, if you love hosting, why not include a drinks fridge within your island design? It will free up your cabinetry while also keeping all your favourite bottles in pristine condition. “Clever design features can complement a social lifestyle. For example, if you have a wine fridge within your island, adding some shallow shelving to the outward-facing side of your island to hold drinks glasses is a game-changer for saving important cupboard space and having glasses within easy reach,” says Sebastian Aronowitz, founder of The London Kitchen Company.

Ready to get inspired and see what’s possible? Scroll down…