Kitchen Island Ideas: Different Types, Shapes and Styles for your Home

ByIsabel August 14, 2023

Are you doing a kitchen remodel or moving? If so, you’re likely contemplating incorporating a modern kitchen island. However, before you delve into this project, it’s important to know the different types, shapes, and styles available. This will help you determine which one aligns best with your home through these kitchen island ideas.

The world of kitchens with an island is almost infinite in terms of shapes; there are square islands (traditional), peninsula, with a bar, with a breakfast counter, two tier islands, large, round, with table, with seating, enclosure and open concept…

These inspiration images and kitchen island plans will help you plan the kitchen design of your dreams. Even if you’re looking for affordable unique kitchen islands from Ikea, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot. You don’t need custom kitchen cabinets and island to achieve it.

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Kitchen Island Designs Ideas: 7 types

Traditionally, kitchen layouts with island are those that feature a standalone piece of furniture in the center of the kitchen, serving various purposes: additional storage, workspace, dining area…

However, in small or compact-sized kitchens, creating separate standalone kitchen island models is nearly impossible. As a result, various designs have emerged that are equally functional and practical.

In this article showcasing kitchen island inspiration, we have included the various types of kitchen islands that exist, along with guidance on which one to choose based on your kitchen’s layout. Accompanied by kitchen images and plans, we provide ideas for both small and large kitchens, including galley or open space kitchen designs.

Center island kitchen

Central kitchen islands are like an extended countertop, but they are positioned in the center of the room, fully accessible and usable from all sides. They typically include a sink and/or an open concept kitchen island with stove for cooking, along with a range hood.

The kitchen island should have dimensions of at least 25 inches by 50 inches, and the distance between it and the countertops/walls should be at least 3.5 feet. Due to its size and required clearance distances, it can only be built in large kitchens, so, if you are planning an island kitchen remodel, don’t forget this.

kitchen island ideas — Kitchen plan with central island

ikea kitchen island — Central kitchen island with sink

Usually, center island ideas often include stools or chairs that allow them to be used as a dining table or breakfast bar, but it’s not an essential requirement.

If it is not a kitchen island with seating, the area for stools is often replaced by more storage space.

center kitchen island — Blue kitchen ISLANDS WITH stools

large kitchen island — Kitchen island cabinets

Peninsula kitchen island

In the case of small kitchens with insufficient space for a central kitchen island, or those that, due to their layout, do not allow for such an island, a kitchen peninsula is the best option. Kitchen with a peninsula feature an island attached at one of its ends to the wall or another countertop, thereby not allowing use on all sides.

Recommended dimensions for small peninsula kitchens are at least 25 inches by 50 inches, with a distance from the front countertop of 31 inches or 3.5 feet.

Just like central kitchen islands, they can include a cooking area and/or sink, or serve as a workspace. They can also incorporate stools for seating or not.

Peninsula kitchen layouts can be of two types: two facing linear countertops (galley kitchen) or an L shaped kitchen. In both cases, one of the small sides of the island for kitchen remains unused, attached to another element.

Kitchen bar island

Kitchen bars are similar to peninsula kitchens, but on a smaller scale, which means they don’t accommodate cooking areas or sinks. Instead, they function more as a breakfast counter and an additional workspace to the island countertop.

To ensure comfortable use, they should be at least 15 inches wide and 3.5 feet long. They include stools and a minimal extra storage area.

The advantage of this piece of furniture is that it doesn’t have to be integrated into the kitchen cabinets; you can add it later. A good option is this bar table set available at Amazon.

We could distinguish two models of kitchen islands with a bar:

Open-plan kitchens with a bar can be used on three sides, just like peninsulas.
Small kitchens with a wall-mounted bar, which can only be used from one of its fronts, are common in narrow and small kitchen designs, often serving as a breakfast bar. Sometimes, the wall is replaced with a glass enclosure to add brightness to the kitchen.

Kitchen island with table

A kitchen island table is a variation of central and peninsula kitchen islands. These kitchen models feature islands with integrated dinning tables, either at the same height as the countertop or lower.

Their construction can be done concurrently with the countertop, following the same aesthetic, or they can form a distinct table. To function effectively, kitchen islands with dining tables hybrid should adhere to the dimensions of a traditional table. At least 31 inches wide and 45 inches long for a table seating 4.

They work well not only in large kitchens; small kitchens with island and table allow for combining the dining area with the kitchen, making better use of the space. Additionally, there are kitchen island models with wheels that can be moved as needed.

As seen in this image of a small U-shaped kitchen island with storage and seating.

kitchen island dinning table — kitchen islands with seating and storage

Bi-level kitchen island or raised bar

A two level kitchen island have, as the name suggests, two different heights, it is a double island. They serve as a breakfast bar.

In a bi-level kitchen island or kitchen island with raised bar, the bar area is raised higher than the rest of the countertop, yet still integrated into the island.

two level kitchen island — Modern kitchen with island

Kitchen island with seating

Many people believe that small kitchens require sacrificing the idea of having an island, but, there are always options. One of our favorites is the kitchen island with a built-in dining bench. It is also a good idea for large kitchen islands.

In these kitchen island ideas, the backside forms a bench for seating at the dining table, effectively saving the space typically needed for maneuvering around a conventional table with chairs.

different shaped kitchen islands — Kitchen with island and dining bench

Farmhouse kitchen with an island

It seems like kitchen islands ideas are only meant for modern kitchen designs, but this kitchen island layout feature can suit all kinds of decor and styles, even in rustic and country houses.

If you have an old or vintage-style home, you have to see these wood kitchen island images with butcher block tables as islands. We couldn’t love the result more! You can find some options at IKEA, like the Tornviken model.

Do you know which kitchen island models best suit your layout or decor? Need more kitchen images and ideas for inspiration? Do you want to see different kitchen island colors or know more about each type of kitchen islands?

The following articles about cool kitchens ideas will be helpful for you. Don’t forget to save your favorite kitchen ideas and photos on Pinterest, so you don’t lose them!

And if you have any questions about the kitchen island ideas, feel free to leave a comment.

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