31 Small Kitchen Island Ideas That Won’t Cramp Your Style
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Photo: Emily Minton Redfield
Mustering up ultrafunctional small kitchen island ideas may seem challenging, but it’s worth the effort. After all, an island is the star of the kitchen, and even with a tiny footprint, these pieces serve many purposes, from prep space to dining area to a spot to drop the mail. It also adds extra counter space, which is always a plus in a tinier kitchen. Below, we’ve gathered up the best small kitchen island ideas to help you make the most of your own interior, plus answers to frequently asked questions.
Is placing an island in a small kitchen a good idea?
Yes, it can be! It all depends on how you intend to use your small kitchen island—beyond extra prep space, a small kitchen island can serve as a workspace, a dining area, or a natural gathering point when you’re hosting. It can also bring much-needed storage space to a room that might be lacking in capacity. “If you’re still on the fence and not ready to bring a permanent structure into your space, there’s always an option for a moveable island that can be repositioned within the space based on your needs,” says Kerrie Kelly, owner and principal designer of Kerrie Kelly Studio.
How can you maximize space with a small kitchen island?
With limited space, you’ll want to ensure your kitchen design is as efficient as possible. “Prioritize multifunctional design elements,” advises Hannah Oravec, owner and principal designer of Lawless Design. “Include built-in storage to keep essentials like cookware or pantry items close at hand, and select a size that complements the flow of the room without restricting movement.” Don’t forget to pay attention to other design elements within the room so that your kitchen island is an asset rather than a hindrance, suggests Kelly.
How do you style a small kitchen island?
Styling a small kitchen island comes down to the age-old ethos of less is more, according to the designers we spoke with. “Avoiding excess clutter is key,” says Gabrielle Santiago, owner and principal designer of Gabrielle Santiago Design. “Keeping the island and countertops clean and minimal helps create the illusion of space and depth, making the kitchen feel larger and more open.” Santiago suggests keeping only a few carefully selected functional items that serve a purpose on the island. “The simpler and more organized the island, the more spacious the kitchen will feel,” she says. Other decor ideas include a simple flower arrangement or a beautiful bowl of fresh fruit.
How do I make the most of my kitchen island?
There are plenty of ways to best utilize your kitchen island, but first you must decide what you need most from it. Are you looking for more storage space? A place primarily for food prep? Are you looking to add pizzazz that the kitchen cabinets are not providing? Whatever the answer may be, use it as guidance for planning out your kitchen island (or accessorizing it, in the case that you already have one).
What can I do with a small kitchen island?
A small kitchen island can do so much more than any old piece of furniture: It can help create a better kitchen layout, serve as a focal point, add extra storage, offer a place to eat a quick meal, and provide a countertop for meal prep.
What can I use instead of a kitchen island?
Just about any table can be used in place of a kitchen island if you get creative. Ideally a kitchen island stand-in should include a tabletop suitable for chopping vegetables or otherwise preparing food, space underneath where you can store additional kitchen equipment, and for a full triple threat, a lip that allows you to pull up a bar stool or two. Both online retailers and vintage stores have plenty of options that would be suitable if you know what to look for. Included below are some specific (and out of the box) options.
Now, onto the ideas.
Mix materials
It’s easy for a small kitchen space to feel crowded—even more so if you add a kitchen island without considering the material and how it interacts with the rest of your kitchen design choices. In this kitchen, designer Michelle Gage wanted the space to feel cozy but not cramped. “To achieve this, we mixed materials,” she says. “The center island is a light wood while the walls are lined with light blue cabinets.”
Pare it down
Does your kitchen open up into an open living space? Opt for a small kitchen island with clean lines that’s pared down. In this condo, Kelly aimed to tailor the kitchen design for the young, active family living there. “Every detail was thoughtfully curated to support a dynamic lifestyle, from modern, adaptable furnishings to a scaled-down island that transitions effortlessly from food prep and dining to entertaining—blending seamlessly into the open living space for easy, everyday functionality,” she says.
Add hidden features
TiAmo Images Professional Real Estate Photography in Folsom
Though slightly larger, pull inspiration from this project by Kelly and free up extra counter space by adding cleverly hidden features to your small kitchen island. “Knowing our clients truly embraced the kitchen as the heart of the home, this kitchen island was full of hidden features that maximized functionality: from an inset sink and microwave drawer to charging outlets and storage,” says Kelly. The blue pop of color is a vibrant addition to the all-white kitchen too.
Incorporate a peninsula
Who says a kitchen island must live in the middle of the room? In a galley-style, narrow kitchen, an island seems impossible. And yet, designer Amy Peltier reimagined a small peninsula with bar stools as the built-in island this kitchen needed. “This peninsula is a small little island breaking up the long, narrow feeling of the kitchen,” she says. “We also used it as a design element in the space, adding a bit of charm and personality.”
Go for dual-height
Installing dual-height countertops to your kitchen island adds needed flexibility in a small space, with the traditional-height countertop ideal for meal prep and the lower-height countertop comfortable as a makeshift dining table. “This dual-height setup creates a subtle, natural flow within the kitchen, allowing for multiple activities to happen simultaneously without feeling cluttered or cramped,” says Santiago.
Skip cabinetry for an island with a shelf
Open up a tiny kitchen by opting for an open shelf, like the one on this custom-made freestanding island. “There are drawers for storage and a bottom shelf for easy access to large kitchen items that look beautiful just sitting out,” says Kelsey Haywood, owner and principal designer of Haywoodmade Interiors. “It saves the flow of the space and saves in the budget by forgoing custom cabinetry on the island.”
Reimagine a unique table
While renovating this back kitchen, the designers at Kobel & Co uncovered a beautifully unique gem—an antique butcher block island original to the home. The U-shape kitchen layout was just large enough that a tiny kitchen island was needed, but not so large that it could handle a full-size option. This small, rounded table now adds a charming touch with its antique wood.
Embrace existing structural elements
If your small kitchen has distinct structural elements that make you think it’ll be impossible to add an island, try working with them for a cohesive look. “The kitchen island became a focal point, strategically placed where the original beams and column once stood,” says Oravec. “Instead of working around these structural elements, we embraced them, cladding the beams to tie them seamlessly into the design.”
Blend the cabinetry into the flooring
Matching the kitchen cabinets to the floor can help visually enlarge a compact space—plus it allows the countertop material to make a bold statement, like with this waterfall marble top. “To make the compact area feel larger, we used consistent materials like reclaimed wood on the cabinet fronts, blending them with the flooring for a seamless look,” says Nicole Lanteri, owner and principal designer of Nicole Lanteri Design. “The centerpiece is a kitchen island that balances beauty and practicality.”
Go for texture
Paneling is a subtle way to add texture to a small space. “This kitchen is small but mighty, and we needed to create more with less,” says Meredith Huck, owner and principal designer of House of Huck. “We added interest through texture and dimension—our neutral tile backsplash has variations throughout which looks like a higher-end, hand-painted watercolor tile, and we added paneling to the island for an elevated look.”
Choose an industrial look
A small, stainless steel island on wheels is the perfect workhorse for this tiny kitchen—plus it offers three tiers of shelving and counter space, offering maximum functionality. “We opted for a mobile, stainless-steel island that comfortably fits into the kitchen design while still providing extra storage and counter space,” says Miranda Cullen, principal designer and founder of Inside Stories. “The mobile nature allows the homeowner to move the island to wherever it is needed in the space.”
Make it a statement piece
Your kitchen island doesn’t need to blend into the surrounding kitchen design—you can opt for something a bit more eye-catching instead. “The island is small but is a statement in the center of the room, as we designed it much like a furniture piece with legs, intricate wood detailing, and a blue countertop,” says Katie Schroeder, principal designer and founder of Atelier Interior Design.
Get creative with space
The kitchen island doesn’t always need to be centered in the room—think outside the box where needed. “This home was a new-build construction that lacked space on the main level, so we had to be creative in renovating the layout to give the homeowners a full living room, dining room, and kitchen in one open space,” says Schroeder. “The island is attached to the dining banquette to make up for space.”
Choose slender legs
If opting for an open-shelf kitchen island, an island with slender legs can create an airy feel. In this kitchen designed by Kobel & Co., powder-coated metal and a walnut top on slender legs combine beautifully to echo other materials in the room.
Make it as dark as you want
Honed-leather black granite, meet wallet; wallet, meet a sneaky and chic way to save money. Not only will this underutilized countertop help you save a buck, but it’s also easy to clean and hides dirt. Case in point: this chic kitchen by interior designer Allison Crawford.
Consider a touch of terrazzo
Steer clear of boring and expected countertops by adding a terrazzo slab to your kitchen island. Looking for an even more astounding design? Follow the lead of photographer Sidney Bensimon’s kitchen design and choose Marmoreal, terrazzo’s arguably cooler cousin. The statement-making material uses larger segments of colorful Italian marble, allowing for natural shapes and textures to thrive.
Add waterfall marble
Deceive the eye and make your kitchen space look bigger by opting for a waterfall-like marble kitchen island, as homeowners Nick Spain and Michael Bolognino did in their kitchen renovation.
Tap into the potential of a colorful faucet
At a loss when it comes to spicing up your kitchen island? Swap out your standard sink faucet for something a bit brighter, like in this Fabrikate-designed kitchen. Choose a color that matches the accents around your space for a more cohesive look.
Lean into a matchy-matchy look
For extra-tiny islands, matching the island to the materials of your cupboards and countertops can help the space feel more cohesive, like in this Paris kitchen designed by Thibaut Picard that combines stainless steel surfaces and wood cabinetry.
Go utilitarian
Stainless steel tables can be found at restaurant supply stores, and their slim profiles (and incredibly low price) make them a great kitchen island option for tiny kitchens. The tabletops can also be outfitted with a butcher block top for a less industrial look. Homeowner Chris Bletzer designed his stainless steel kitchen with Bowery Restaurant Supply.
Opt for butcher block
Small butcher block tables are ideal for avid chefs who are constantly chopping and slicing. You can find tables like the one that Shoko Wagner got for her Harlem apartment in different sizes, including compact square versions that can be squeezed into tight spaces. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a reno project, switch out your existing countertop for one that doubles as a chopping board.
Add storage
Make the most of your island by choosing a version with shelves, cabinets, or drawers within the base, just like this coral pink Barcelona kitchen that got a makeover thanks to architecture firm Conti, Cert. If you’re making the island a permanent addition to the room, consider adding a pot rack to utilize the space above (and free up the cabinets for other items).
Raise the bar
If you don’t have room for an island in the center of your space, position it perpendicular to the cabinetry or a wall. This will create an extension that can have bar seating and provide extra counter space, as artist and interior designer Carly Berlin’s kitchen island shows.
Make an impact
Just because your kitchen island is small doesn’t mean it can’t be the centerpiece, as the Tropico Photo founders’s kitchen island design proves. Make a colorful splash with unexpected accents like barstools that match bright cabinetry, and layer in prints and pops of color everywhere you can—whether it be the backsplash, linens, fruit bowls, or cabinet fronts.
Draw it out
Depending on your floor plan, if you have a small kitchen that opens to a bigger room, you can always draw a kitchen island out into that space. Though it might cost you extra square footage, it can certainly pay off whether you hope to use your kitchen island as a breakfast bar or as a workspace. The white kitchen in Jeni and Johnny Erbes-Chan’s Brooklyn townhouse is the perfect example.
Add hidden storage
One can never have too much storage...ever. Be like food blogger Anna Barnett and choose a kitchen island that includes sneaky storage with hidden door handles and discrete cabinets.
Put it on wheels
A kitchen island can be handy when you’re cooking, but it also takes up floor space the rest of the time. Find a version with wheels—or add them to your existing island—so that you can roll it into a corner or closet and keep the kitchen clear. Food photographer Ashleigh Amoroso did exactly that for her own workspace.
Create separation
In this apartment remodel, Project AZ knocked down a wall that once created a very tiny kitchen. The space is still rather small, but the removal of that wall allowed an island to be put in place. The island adds a soft separation while still allowing the homeowners to feel connected to the living room.
Incorporate a statement color
Model Jacquelyn Jablonski brought a bright mint green into her kitchen with her small kitchen island that was designed in collaboration with Benjamin Schlief. Even if the kitchen island is smaller than some, it still packs quite a visual punch thanks to this fab shade.
Use slight stools
So you’ve added an island to your small kitchen, but now your space appears to be nearing capacity—what to do? Slight metal stools like the ones in this Amsterdam home designed by D. Hage Designs will never make a kitchen feel cramped and you’ll still end up with a perfectly comfortable breakfast bar.
Add an antique piece
An antique walnut French Draper table is used as an extremely distinct kitchen island in the North Carolina home of interior designer and photographer Carley Summers, thereby providing both open storage and a charming country vibe. Bonus points for those eye-catching pendant lights!
A hybrid island-slash-dining table
When you have room for only a kitchen table or a kitchen island, why not add a piece that can serve as both? A drop leaf table will seat a crowd, and the sides can be lowered when not in use. After a tragic fire, Barcelona homeowner Marta Klinker and architects Andrea Serboli and Matteo Colombo of CaSA had to get creative, and an island dining table was one of the many brilliant solutions employed.
A micro-island
A small island is still an island! We love the small island in Erica Boginsky’s Michael Arguello-designed 394-square-foot studio, which offers a casual dining zone in a small space that might otherwise not have room for one.
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
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