4 kitchen islands ideas to upgrade your home

An island can be a great addition to your kitchen. You’ll gain more worktop space, storage and seating options, and islands fill that gap in the middle when you have your cabinets against the wall.

Islands have evolved to become the hardest working feature in kitchens but just like many things in interiors, styles change over time. Here are 4 kitchen islands trends that have got design experts talking this year.  

1. Two kitchen islands

Meghan Markle, Martha Stewart, Kate Hudson, Kris Jenner and Selena Gomez? They all have one thing in common – double kitchen islands. This became the interior trend of the summer, with newspapers and décor publications debating the pros and cons of having two islands in your kitchen.

The benefits include increasing the amount of worksurface, creating two distinct zones (a cooking island with a hob and a second island just for seating, for example) and gaining a status symbol that might make the neighbours jealous. 

If you’re tempted, you need to factor in enough circulation space, as well as plan in gaps big enough should you need to open a cupboard, oven or dishwasher door. If you have a huge open plan space to fill, two islands can work and help divide the space.

2. Waterfall islands

Another kitchen trend that was up for debate this summer was the waterfall island. The consensus was: it’s a style that’s here to stay. The waterfall element refers to the material that’s used to cover the island. 

Instead of being confined to the top, the material is continuous, cascading over the sides and down to the floor, like a waterfall. The result is a sleek, seamless finish that allows the material to be fully appreciated.

A waterfall finish does, however, limit your ability to add design features at the ends of the island, such as open shelves, hidden storage or an overhang to create seating.

3. Split-level islands

Another island style gaining traction is the split level island. Worktops are placed at two different heights to create a multi-function hub. The higher level can be designed for food prep and cooking, while the lower worktop can be set low enough for dining chairs.  

The reverse can also be true. A lower-level worktop for cooking and serving can be paired with a high-line, bar-style counter. This has the advantage of the configuration screening off messy prep areas.

Split level islands do require a little more planning but they can work well in smaller kitchens where there’s not enough room for a dining table.

4. Hidden feature islands 

Islands can quickly become the heart of a kitchen – and that means they can become messy. Designers are able to build in a variety of features that make every-day chores easier and more streamlined.   

Features to look out for include pop-up plug sockets that are flush fitted into the worktop, tech drawers with charging points, plug sockets and space for cables, downdraft extractor fans and even integrated lifts that allow small appliances, like coffee machines and stand mixers, to rise from a cabinet below at the touch of a button.

If you’re looking for a new home where you can install your dream kitchen island, please get in touch.