47 Ways To Upgrade Your Kitchen Island

This whitewashed wood island with a marble island is the kitchen MVP: It's loaded with lots of cabinets and an extra sink, so it can really get a lot done. Plus, designer Ellen Kavanaugh optimized it with extra outlets on the side, whether someone's working from the barstool and needs a little charge or doing prep work and needs to plug in a food processor.

Back up a couch or chairs to your island for a separate dining area that's in the kitchen without actually being in the kitchen, if you catch our drift. This kitchen-meets-dining room designed by Jean Liu proves that it can be both casual slash functional enough for cooking and formal enough for a dinner party.

Food Network star Molly Yeh drew on years of experience to make her farmhouse kitchen function effortlessly. Notice how there's plenty of exposed shelving, both lining the wall and on the kitchen island, perfect for easy access to an extensive collection of cookbooks.

A cool Caesarstone countertop along the perimeter of this Long Island kitchen by Workshop APD echoes concrete surfaces near the pool and will weather anything the owners’ grandkids throw at it. Wood floating shelves jut on top of the island as well as off the sides for extra storage and countertop room.

Designed by Nicole Dohmen of Atelier ND, this kitchen incorporates earthy tones contrasted with violet in the zellige tile backsplash and Calcutta marble countertops to connect it to the adjacent room. On the island, rounded edges give the clean cabinetry a groovy edge.

Molly Culver chose to flank the island with two runners to warm things up and give it a nice frame. It also adds a bit of contrast in color while still complimenting the ashy-blue painted cupboards and light wood ceiling and island.

The exterior side of the kitchen island right next to the cabinet many dishes are stored in is a perfectly convenient location for a dishwasher. Take note of this example from Andy Beers of Ore Studios.

If you're cramped for space, forgo a traditional island altogether and use a small table. It'll give you workspace and dining space all in one. This metal one with an extra leaf works perfectly in an industrial kitchen designed by Kathleen McCormick.

Something like a pair of architect's drafting tables modified with a glass top, or a repurposed artist's worktop, can serve as an island. It works particularly well in eclectic or rustic spaces, as in this example in a kitchen by Tom Scherer.

Look closely and you'll notice that this kitchen designed by Lauren Liess features not just one, but two kitchen islands. This is a great choice for anyone with a huge space, as it will bring down the scale of the room. Plus, it's widely helpful in busy kitchens. One can be used for casual meals and homework, while the other can be dedicated to cooking and prep.

When choosing a kitchen island, make sure you ask yourself what you'll actually use it for. If it's just extra storage and countertop space, an enclosed cabinets will do. But if your home needs a more casual space to dine, make sure at least some portion of the island is optimized for barstools and sitting so you can comfortably eat there. This deVOL Kitchens space is a good example of a kitchen island that'll cater to both needs, with just a corner carved out.

Leanne Ford is the queen of revamping beat-up items and giving them new life in stylish environments. Case in point? This rustic kitchen island. You don't need to spend a ton on a custom kitchen island if you're willing to hit the flea markets and go thrifting. The crisp white walls, exposed tableware on floating shelves, new hardware, and lighting make it feel brand new.

A custom kitchen island can be super pricey—not to mention that it might not be an option for renters. Instead, opt for a work table or bistro table with a slim rectangular silhouette and a bottom shelf to function as a kitchen island.

The light wood tones and metallic pendant warm up the otherwise cool space in this kitchen designed by Hecker Guthrie. Situated over the island, the bistro table makes a classic kitchen layout so much more interesting. And it's even fresher when you paint your bar stools a buoyant shade of mint green hue and hang a copper pendant light overhead.

This space by deVOL Kitchens has a strong sense of visual cohesion— yet there's also plenty of experimentation going on. The pink statement wall and surprising pale green ceiling soften up the moody cabinets and kitchen island while the tiles tie everything together.

In this kitchen designed by Arent & Pyke, the layout is fresh and optimized for the unique shape of the space. Instead of floating the kitchen island, it's right against the wall, doubling its functionality as a partial room divider. And there's nothing quite like metallic to make your interiors pop. Opt for a brushed gold finish on the kitchen island.

If you're kitchen is blessed with tons of counter room for cooking and you want to try something different with the leftover space, fill it with a dining table instead of an island. Choose something with similar proportions, like a long, rustic dining table, to achieve a similar layout but with a new twist.

This striking solid marble island with a bronze base anchors the entire kitchen. Designed by Arent & Pyke, this space is also proof that mixed metals work. The handle pulls on the back drawers are gold, speaking to the bronze base, while the silver faucet brings out the cooler tones of the marble backsplash. Everything in the room speaks to the island, from the brightening light backsplash to the slate gray hood with brass detailing.

Now this is how you light up a room. In this Parisian apartment designed by Studio Razavi, the dramatically large, undulating pendant opens everything up in one swoop. This, along with the magenta carafe and colorful tableware above the cabinets beyond, enliven the industrial elements of the kitchen like the stainless steel and concrete island.

A folded effect over the edge of the multi-hued island in this Arent & Pyke kitchen feels fresh and fun while still maintaining the room's understated style. The circle motif repeats in the pendant light and as a unique custom handle pull on the cabinets, which gives the room a consistent personality.