35 Modern Kitchen Island Ideas for Design Inspiration

By Interior Designer Tracy Svendsen | Published on May 13, 2025 | 

Kitchen Island Ideas: If you are planning a kitchen renovation, the kitchen island has the potential to become a showstopper while adding an architectural focal point. Consider an imaginative and fresh perspective, from cladding your island base in a unique tile, applying wood fluting details, or simply painting it in a trending color.

Elevate your island with high-quality materials like marble or quartz, high-end hardware, and luxurious seating options. Find inspiration for your kitchen remodel with these gorgeous kitchens by top designers. Whether you dream of creating a spot to prep for casual dining, gourmet meals, or morning coffee, a well-designed and stunning island will add depth and dimension. Feature image courtesy of Ali Budd Interiors.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Kitchen Island in Light Wood & Marble
Image courtesy of McCroskey Interiors

1. Waterfall Countertops

Waterfall countertops cascade down over the side of the island to the floor with a continuous flow. This design element works across a variety of materials – from granite to quartz, marble, and even stainless steel.

Honeycomb design created this luxurious Mediterranean-style kitchen with heritage-inspired details, lived-in textures, and a Macchia Vecchia marble waterfall island. The rich hues in this large island countertop pair perfectly with warm wood flooring, the Dura Supreme Knotty Alder cabinetry in ‘cashew stain’, and exquisite hand-painted Spanish tile.

Modern Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of Honeycomb Design (Photo by Lisa Maksoudian)

2. Dual Kitchen Islands

Double kitchen islands are one of the most popular trends right now, with many interior designers opting for two islands in large kitchens with ample square footage. Dual islands can be positioned parallel to each other, in an L-shape configuration, or end to end.

Double islands can be a great way to help fill the space while providing more room for prepping, storage, and entertaining. Morrow & Co. designed this California-chic kitchen with warm hues and natural elements, creating an effortlessly classic and comfortable space.

Dual Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of Morrow & Co. (Meghan Bob Photography)

3. Contrast the Island Base with the Cabinetry

Contrasting between the kitchen island and the cabinetry adds visual depth and interest, allowing you to introduce new color and create a designer feel to the space. In a kitchen designed by True Salt Interiors, the palette, finishes, and design choices were defined by the airy simplicity of coastal living mixed with the classic charm of a traditional European cottage. A wood-based kitchen island with old-world charm provides a sophisticated contrast to sage green cabinetry, stone backsplash, and modern pendant lighting.

Green Kitchen Cabinets with Wood Island Base
Image courtesy of Pure Salt Interiors (Vanessa Lentine photography)

4. Sculptural Forms

A sculptural and contemporary kitchen island can transcend traditional design by fusing art with function. In a kitchen by Banda Design Studio in London, a stunning Paonazzo marble acts as the focal point of the space, where form does not simply follow function but redefines it.

This project beautifully embodies Banda’s core principles of heritage, elegance, and meticulous curation. The design of this townhouse incorporates rich autumnal shades such as copper, brass, and bronze mixed with plush velvets and warm timbers. Open shelving provides the perfect spot to display decorative objects.

Contemporary & Sculptural Kitchen Island Design
Image courtesy of Banda Design Studio

5. Mixed Materials

An island with mixed materials provides the opportunity to add character, create a strong focal point, and play with eye-catching surfaces and textures. In a modern kitchen designed by London Pierce, a marble slab kitchen island is accentuated with walnut in warm wood tones. It’s the perfect marriage between contemporary and rustic elements that pair beautifully with brass details, light wood flooring, and black cabinetry.

Mixing Materials
Image courtesy of London Pierce Design

6. Make a Bold Statement

Kitchen islands are no longer just providing extra prep space and storage – they have become the centerpiece of modern kitchen design. In a sculptural and contemporary kitchen by DHD Design, a blue-gray marble countertop combined with a rich wood base creates a striking visual anchor. This loft-like kitchen is a small space with artisan finishes, walnut cabinetry, antiqued hand-blown and brass cabinet fronts, and custom bronze and shagreen hardware.

Modern Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of DHD Design

7. Take a Traditional Approach

For those who prefer a more traditional design aesthetic, consider an island combining old-world charm and modern accents. In a Tudor-style home designed by Kat Lawton, a kitchen was transformed by creating a space that catered to everyday living. The island base was painted in the same soft cream tone as the kitchen cabinetry, with a gray quartz countertop to add subtle and elegant contrast.

Traditional Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of Kat Lawton Interiors

8. Architectural Statement

Transform a mundane kitchen into a work of art with an island designed with strong architectural detailing. Molteni & C’s Intersection Kitchen, created by the brand’s creative director Vincent Van Duysen, takes one material – natural stone – and gives it an innovative, architectural treatment. This project implies choosing a material that fits the purpose, natural stone, with the unique characteristics that nature bestows, and using innovative technologies to achieve it, as is deducible from the doors of the bases, which open effortlessly to guarantee the utmost functionality.

Making an Architectural Statement
Image courtesy of Moltini & C

9. Black Countertop

Black countertops create a dramatic contrast, add depth, and infuse the kitchen with luxury and sophistication. In a Scandinavian-style kitchen designed by Heidi Woodman, wire brushed rift-cut oak pairs beautifully with a dark island top. Other design features include white marble accents, light wood flooring, ceiling beams, and windows trimmed in a dark wood hue.

Kitchen Island with Black Countertop
Image courtesy of Heidi Woodman Design

10. Contemporary Kitchen Island

This modern kitchen island is a domestic sculpture in stone or steel, a themed island with an iconic structure and unique design signature. Its form within space can be distinct – the kitchen becomes the centre and engine of the home or a beautifully integrated element of the whole. The result is a perfect fusion of material quality and practical purpose. Wooden stave doors to an exclusive design are architectural in treatment and tailored in place.

Contemporary Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of Arclinea

11. Curved Eat-In Island

A curving kitchen island graces interior designer Katie Monkhouse’s garden apartment. The cabinets were built by Harrison & Whytt and the countertops are stone from DaVinci Marble. This stunning natural stone continues up the lower part of the backsplash until it meets handcrafted tile by KV Tile.

Katie created this curved eat-in island, which she’s long contemplated for private clients. The curving form adds a unique touch to this warm and inviting kitchen, whether as a breakfast bar, a spot to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, or a casual meal.

Curving Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of Katie Monkhouse (Stephanie Russo Photo)

12. Kitchen Island as a Cooking Station

The kitchen island with a built-in dining table is the focal point of this contemporary apartment with little counter space. A large accessorised wall teams with the work island to provide additional storage for food and tools. Two units are hidden by New Pocket System disappearing doors in the middle. These open to provide perfect working conditions in the kitchen, offering extra work areas for washing up and vertical cooking with the oven’s tall units.

Island as a Cooking Station
Image courtesy of  Arclinea

13. Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Island

A modern farmhouse kitchen island is a great choice for those who want to add country charm and distinct character to their kitchen. A white vaulted ceiling and large windows fill the space with light, warmth, and architectural interest in a kitchen designed by Katie Monkhouse. This lovely space boasts a breakfast nook, family room, and hidden butler’s pantry. The island features shiplap detailing, quartz countertop, and a farmhouse sink.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of Katie Monkhouse

14. Coastal Kitchen Island

A gorgeous blue granite countertop adds a luxurious feel to this modern coastal kitchen by O’Brien Harris. This L-shaped kitchen boasts ivory cabinets paired with a subway tile backsplash. Further design details include abundant natural light, a zinc French kitchen hood, a gas cooktop, and a prep sink with a brushed nickel goosneck faucet.

Coastal Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of O’Brien Harris

15. White Oak with Black Accents

The pairing of white oak with black accents makes this a stand-out kitchen that celebrates contrast. Designed by HSH Interiors, this striking kitchen is a testament to the sophistication of Japanese rustic minimalist and Scandinavian highly functional design styles. Additional features in this contemporary mountain home include Blanc quartzite countertops from Artison Stone Gallery, modern counter stools, and black hardware.

White Oak Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of HSH Interiors (Stephanie Russo Photo)

16. Organic Kitchen Island

Home to wellness entrepreneur Marie-Cassandre Bultheel, this space represents her calm style and sustainable ethos. Designed by Olga Ashby, an earthy, neutral colour palette that blends with natural materials, including wood sourced from sustainable forests, linen, and micro-cement, was chosen to increase the feeling of this being an inner-city sanctuary.

Organic Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of Olga Ashby Design (Vigo Janson Photography)

17. Country Kitchen Island

Interior designer Lisa Staton designed a kitchen that draws inspiration from East Coast residences and traditional country homes. A country-style island with a wooden base provides ample countertop space and is accentuated with Woodbridge Furniture counter stools. The Wood Stone pizza oven is surrounded by Mutual Materials brick tile. This part of the house was carefully designed for a cookbook author who wanted a beautiful place to work and photograph her culinary creations. 

Country Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of Lisa Staton Interiors (Michael Clifford Photography)

18. Pair Wood & Marble With Neutral Colors

Wood and marble kitchen islands pair beautifully with neutral kitchens. In a kitchen designed by Court Atkins, an island of richly veined marble and warm wood tones adds extra counterspace and is complemented by walls of zellige tiles and limestone. A plaster hood, gorgeous reclaimed wood beams, and rich textures further accentuate this organic palette.   

Wood & Marble
Image courtesy of Court Atkins Group

19. Paint it Blue

A blue island can add timeless sophistication to a kitchen and pair well with the variety of metals used in cooking equipment. In a kitchen designed by Chalet Design, an island and base cabinets are painted in Farrow & Ball’s blue-black Railings and accented with brass hardware to add polish. Further design details include rustic wood beams and walls clad with white-painted face brick.  

Blue Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of Chalet Colorado (Emily Minton Photo)

20. Cottage Country

Shiplap details add old-world charm in a cottage country kitchen with white cabinets designed by Terri Ricci. A combination of oak cabinetry left natural or painted in Benjamin Moore’s Vanilla Milkshake adds a lovely contrast. Additional details include wide oak flooring, cedar beams, brass hardware, and an island topped with Matarazzo from BAS stone.

Country Cottage Island
Image courtesy of Terri Ricci Design (Joshua McHugh photo)

21. Modern Glam

Add a bit of modern glam to your kitchen with a sleek navy blue island and glossy white countertops. In an elegant and sophisticated kitchen designed by Laura Kehoe, an island is accentuated with contemporary bar stools, a luxurious chandelier, and high-end finishes. This well-designed space boasts light wood cabinetry, a large double sink, and warm metallic accents.

Modern Luxe Kitchen
Image courtesy of Luxe Source (Laura Kehoe Design)

22. Fluting Detail

Fluting on a kitchen island offers a unique design aesthetic and refers to vertical grooves or channels on the island’s front or back, adding texture and visual interest. In a kitchen by JFY Designs, blue fluting on the island base balances out the warmth of the wood cabinets and the sheer visual impact of the natural stone countertop. Fluting adds depth and texture and can be left in a natural wood finish or painted a complementary or contrasting color.

Kitchen Island with Fluting
Image courtesy of JFY Designs 

23. Tiles on Base

Tiles can be used on the base of a kitchen island to create a unique and custom design with ceramics, mosaics, hexagons, marbles, or subway tiles. In a modern Hampton-style home, designer Hilary Matt used zellige tiles on either end of a wood island with a marble countertop. This fresh and detailed approach creates a one-of-a-kind design.

Tiles on the Island Base
Image courtesy of Hilary Matt Design

24. Ample Room for Seating

M. Swabb provided ample room seating along this large modern kitchen island with a marble waterfall countertop. This beautifully designed space features warm wood cabinetry, a blue tile backsplash, metallic accents, and plenty of natural light.

Island with Counter Stools
Image courtesy of M Swabb Design

25. Dramatically Veined Marble

Bold marble veining is trending, grabbing the spotlight with rich color, dramatic pattern, and luxurious vibes. Marble introduces an organic quality with timeless appeal to this stunning kitchen designed by Alissa Johnson. Vertical wood detailing on the island’s base adds a textural accent while warm wood flooring and cabinetry pair perfectly with the countertops and backsplash.

Dramatic Marble Veining
Image courtesy of Alissa Johnson Design

26. U-Shaped Design

A U-shaped kitchen island transforms this modern farmhouse space into the perfect spot for a cozy breakfast. Intimate Living Interiors designed this kitchen with an eye for detail, including a French hood over a honed marble slab backsplash, decorative pillows, black framed glass front cabinets and wood ceiling beams. U-shaped islands are perfect for large kitchens and provide an opportunity to include a dining banquette.

U-Shaped Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of Intimate Living Interiors

27. Dark Wood Base

A dark island base is a great choice for kitchens with white cabinetry and countertops. This contemporary kitchen by Atmosphere Design boasts warm metallic accents, dramatically veined backsplash, wood flooring, and modern curved-back counter stools. Antique burnished brass and white luxury Cleo Pendants add sophistication and sparkle.

Island with Dark Wood Base
Image courtesy of  Atmosphere Design

28. Modern Metallics

In a classic – not traditional kitchen designed by Ali Budd, her fabulous and fearless design style has turned this space into a piece of art. Expanses of veined stone are an Ali signature design move, and here she uses Ijen Blue slabs on the island, backsplash, and counters. Dentil mouldings on the counter edging paired with brass hardware and contemporary lighting elevate this sleek design.

Modern Metallics
Image courtesy of Ali Bud Design

29. Modern Rustic

Interior designer Tiffany Leigh wanted this space to evoke a classic British sensibility. She wanted to veer away from white cabinetry and bulky upper cabinets, in favour of moody brown/green cabinets, a dark oak-stained island that feels like a piece of furniture, and open shelving to display her client’s handmade pottery and ceramics. Unlacquered brass fixtures and hanging rails that patina over time add to the timelessness of this space. The cabinet colors are Crownsville grey by Benjamin Moore, and the wall color is White Dove.

Modern Rustic Kitchen Island
Image courtesy of Tiffany Leigh Design

30. Eye for Detail

A sleek natural wood fluted island base makes a dramatic statement in a gorgeous kitchen designed by Mellon Studio. This well-designed kitchen boasts warm wood flooring, a dramatic feature wall, contemporary stools, and unique lighting fixtures. It’s effortless, sculptural, relaxed, and refined.

Strong on Details
Image courtesy of Mellon Studio

31. Statement Lighting

Statement lighting creates a functional yet artistic focal point above the kitchen island. In a kitchen designed by Mohon Interiors, an ethereal Water Lilies chandelier by Paul Ferannte makes a dramatic statement. This elegant kitchen also features quartzite countertops, newly lacquered cabinet doors, and a Thermador Range.

Statement Lighting
Image courtesy of Mohon Interiors (Lisa Romerein Photo)

32. Cohesive Look

In an open concept design, it’s especially important to keep the design cohesive throughout the space. West of Main designed a kitchen island with a solid wood countertop that pairs beautifully with hardwood flooring and the dining and coffee table. The counter stools complement the dining chairs perfectly.

Creating a Cohesive Look
Image courtesy of West of Main

33. Mixed Levels for Versatility

In a kitchen by M Swabb, an island has a multi-level design with an additional dining area. Layered kitchen islands with multiple countertop levels create dedicated zones for different activities. The raised area in this kitchen can serve as a prep area or breakfast bar, while the lower area is perfect for casual dining.

Additional Seating
Image courtesy of M Swabb Design

34. Understated Elegance

This stunning home is located on the winding banks of Lake Austin, which serves as a secluded oasis for jewelry mogul Kendra Scott and her family. Old World architectural references and a worldly mix of design influences evoke a quiet majesty balanced by a decidedly modern edge. Designed by Ryan Street Architects, this elegant marble kitchen island is adorned with luxurious contemporary stools.

Refined & Elegant
Image courtesy of Ryan Street Architects

35. Extra Storage

Created by Orange Coast Interior Design, custom white oak kitchen islands provide additional storage. The island tops are made of Vadara quartz, which is also used accross the walls and additional countertops. Light fixtures from The Tagliato Collection by Alora add contemporary flair.

Extra Storage
Image courtesy of Orange Coast Interior Design (Andrew Giammarco photography)