3 Kitchen Island Design Tips to Spruce up Your Space

For many people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is where loved ones gather to celebrate, connect and build memories. With a few kitchen island design tips, you can turn your dream kitchen into a reality! Are you ready to spruce up your space? Explore our guide to transform your island into the perfect centerpiece.

Step One: Figure Out Your Ideal Island Size and Placement

Before you spend too much time thinking about your kitchen island’s appliances and aesthetics, take some time to evaluate how much space you have to accommodate your island. Houzz recommends having about three feet of floor space on the ends of your island. In many homes, one side of the island will often open up to a dining room or living room—this is the side where you should place your chairs/barstools. 

You will also need to think about how tall you want your island counter to be. You may decide to shop for seating before choosing the height of your island. Most bar stools are available in either 36-inch or 42- inch options. Keep in mind that you have the flexibility to design your island in two levels, so the working side can be lower than the seating. If you decide to go this route, you can only do so with 42-inch chairs.

Step Two: Decide What Your Island’s Function Will Be and Choose Appliances Accordingly

Think about how you would like to utilize your island. Will it be mostly used for food prep and serving? Will you also use it as a workspace? All of the above? These questions will help you understand what types of appliances you will need to budget for and how you will be utilizing the extra space it provides.

Will you want to add appliances or a sink into your island? Do you need extra storage space, such as drawers and cabinets? You will also need to consider how much space you will require to prep/serve food and store any utensils or countertop appliances.

Step Three: Decorate!

Once you have decided your kitchen island’s practical uses and spatial capacity, you are ready for the fun part: choosing your decorations and finishes.

The best kitchen island designs are aesthetically consistent with the finishes throughout the rest of the space while also adding an extra dimension of style. Your island is a focal point of your home, so choose accessories that add color while still coordinating with the rest of your kitchen.

We spoke with a few design experts to get a feel for what is currently hot in kitchen island design and found a few main trends that are taking over the industry:

• High-contrast paint colors, such as charcoal, black and deep blues and greens
• Larger-sized islands
• Large, single-bowl sinks

While it can be overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to putting the finishing touches on your island, experts recommend the five following must-haves:

Tray for Grouping Vignettes

A vignette is a simple display piece typically used as a decorative centerpiece on a table or island. You can design a seasonal or year-long vignette to add a dash of personality to your island. The elements of your vignette are entirely up to you. Many people choose to include plants, candles, flowers or other colorful pieces. Designers often place the pieces in a tray to give the vignette a cleaner, more condensed look.

Bowl to Display Colorful Fruit

These classic displays can be used as part of your vignette or as an individual centerpiece. Whether you include fresh fruits or artificial fruits is up to you—just make sure it is full of color!

Vase With Florals

Flowers and floral arrangements look beautiful no matter where they are placed and can quickly enhance any space. Again, it is up to you whether you display fresh flowers or artificial flowers. If you do choose real flowers, just make sure you take good care of them and try to choose ones that will not drop pollen, which may stain your countertops.

Placemats With Place Settings

If your island is used for dining, you may want to set up place settings for a more refined look. If you envision your island being used for more casual occasions, such as having a drink, place settings are unnecessary.

Greenery (Plants and Herbs)

You cannot go wrong with a beautiful plant on your island, even if it is artificial. You may also choose to display your herbs, especially if you are lucky enough to have an island placed in a spot where your homegrown greens can still get a sufficient amount of natural light.

No matter how you decide to design your kitchen island, make sure it is a space your family and guests can enjoy and build memories around for years to come.

There is certainly no shortage of kitchen island design tips to help you create a space your family will enjoy for years to come! Are you still looking for some inspiration before you start crafting your ideal design? Explore Perry Homes’ gallery to browse luxurious designs and find your inspiration.