8.25.2010

Beautiful, Functional Kitchen Islands

custom island traditional kitchen

The kitchen island. It is one of the most popular design features among consumers today. Many of today's kitchen islands have unique design styles of their own. In this traditional kitchen above, the island counter differs from the perimeter counters. Love that!


Most kitchen islands include storage, sinks {prep or main}, appliances and/or seating areas. This beautiful white kitchen features a small, but highly functional island that includes  storage, a main sink and stool seating.The industrial pendant lights provide task lighting and add some jewelry to the space.


Kitchen islands can have the same design as the main counter and cabinets or it can have a look all its own. Above, an old farm dining table makes an ideal kitchen island and adds character to this kitchen - love that it has wheels and can be moved as needed! The lantern pendant light hung above helps define the space nicely.

All of the kitchen images above are from an Ideabook created on Houzz featuring beautiful kitchen islands - go here to see it. And for more kitchen island design trends go here. Do you have a kitchen island?

20 comments:

  1. Thanks, Cristin! I will be heading over to Houzz!

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  2. We do not have one now but an island is planned for the renovation with a sink and an area for sitting, dishing and serving!
    I can hardly wait!
    pve

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  3. I am an island girl all the way...a butcherblock island that is. New to your blog and love it! --Gretchen O.

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  4. The second image just really really speaks to me!! I can't imagine my kitchen without an island. It's funny to think back to my first apartment in SF, I don't think it was as big as my entire island. (it was still great though!)
    Janell

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  5. I have a kitchen island which is so great for spreading out on but oh my goodness, I want that last one! The color and design are gorgeous! Hope you're having a good summer, Cristin! xoxo, Ally

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  6. My kitchen is the size of that first island.

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  7. Beautiful is right! I love that first image, although I think that a two sided sink like that would drive me nuts (I am a one bowl kind of a person). So pretty, though.

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  8. love all of those. classic.

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  9. We don't have a kitchen island, but we do have a large peninsula which houses the cooktop and will have stools if hubby ever finsihes making them!!

    All the kitchens in your post are beautiful, but I have to say the third one is my favourite. I prefer the look of an island that doesn't match the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. I think it adds interest and character, and it's nice to have some variety instead of the same look throughout the room.

    Kelly

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  10. Love the simplicity of the last one!

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  11. Love these! I wish I had room for an island, it would make my kitchen so much more functional. ahh, one day hopefully :)

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  12. We don't have room for an island, but I guess our bar/counter top is sort of like one. Because we don't have a separate kitchen (wish we did), it's all open. I'm loving the last kitchen pic in your post. Pretty fab.
    have a lovely day.

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  13. Yes, we have an island that is in really sad shape right now. I found an old cabinet that works as an island in our small kitchen space. I have plans to use beadboard to cover the back, and paint it all white. After I change out the hardware and get a granite top cut to fit, it will be much nicer to sit at! Thanks for the inspirational pictures.

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  14. no, but it's on my list for the next house!

    i was so flattered to see you're now a follower of mine-i love your blog! thanks. :)

    dayka

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  15. Oh, I would love one. But, the way my kitchen is situated...we did our renovation without one. I just posted about it this week - come take a look. Even without an island, I think it looks just great! Maybe in my next house!

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  16. I wish I had that wonderful sink in the 1st image!
    xo Laura

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  17. I love 2 & 3 -- We removed our island in our kitchen renovation and while I miss it at times, we're appreciating the open space now with my 15 month old doing the drunk’n sailor walk!

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  18. I love the sink in the first one, too. And the gray one on wheels juxtaposes nicely with the more sleek steel surroundings!

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  19. Sigh. I don't have a kitchen island, my little kitchen has no room. I love them though, and I want one. Great post!

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  20. just adore neutral kitchens, that one with the white wooden ceilings is to die for! Oh & yes, just started doing Houzz ideabooks too! I'm hooked!

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Thanks for leaving a comment. I love hearing your thoughts!