4 New Kitchens With Islands Designed for Entertaining
See how designers play with seating configurations, storage and other features to create crowd-pleasing kitchen islands
A kitchen island is great for entertaining. It gives guests a natural place to gather while creating a buffer between them and the cook. But other features, such as clever seating arrangements, wine fridges, and trash and recycling bin pullouts, can significantly elevate an island’s entertaining value. Here, designers share the details on four kitchens with islands designed for entertaining.
2. Face-to-Face Seating and Accessible Storage
Designer: Adrienne Hart of ModaScapes Interior Design
Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona
Size: 275 square feet (26 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Remove a wall and add a support beam to connect the kitchen and family room. They also wanted to add features to support entertaining, including a butler’s pantry and a large island.
Kitchen island. Alder in a custom stain with seating on two sides, allowing guests to face each other. The arrangement also meant designer Adrienne Hart could create more functional storage cabinets “and not just a shallow cupboard accessible only by moving the stools,” she says. “This allowed us to put in a second built-in wastebasket that wasn’t inside the work triangle that anyone could use and not interrupt the cook. The bank of drawers on the outside of the island also houses all the place mats and napkins to use at the breakfast nook next to it.” A generous countertop adds expansive prep space that can double as a buffet serving area.
Other special features. Taj Mahal quartzite countertops. Creamy white backsplash tile (Cloe from Bedrosians). Alder range hood to match the island. Toekick lighting. “We chose not to fill the lighted cabinets with any decor,” Hart says. “To act as simple light boxes that draw the eye up and celebrate the really tall ceiling and draw attention to the beams.”
Designer tip. Hart suggests adding a pullout wastebin on an outside area of an island to allow guests to toss trash without entering the kitchen and interrupting the cook.
Paint: Cool December, Dunn-Edwards
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Designer: Adrienne Hart of ModaScapes Interior Design
Location: Paradise Valley, Arizona
Size: 275 square feet (26 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Remove a wall and add a support beam to connect the kitchen and family room. They also wanted to add features to support entertaining, including a butler’s pantry and a large island.
Kitchen island. Alder in a custom stain with seating on two sides, allowing guests to face each other. The arrangement also meant designer Adrienne Hart could create more functional storage cabinets “and not just a shallow cupboard accessible only by moving the stools,” she says. “This allowed us to put in a second built-in wastebasket that wasn’t inside the work triangle that anyone could use and not interrupt the cook. The bank of drawers on the outside of the island also houses all the place mats and napkins to use at the breakfast nook next to it.” A generous countertop adds expansive prep space that can double as a buffet serving area.
Other special features. Taj Mahal quartzite countertops. Creamy white backsplash tile (Cloe from Bedrosians). Alder range hood to match the island. Toekick lighting. “We chose not to fill the lighted cabinets with any decor,” Hart says. “To act as simple light boxes that draw the eye up and celebrate the really tall ceiling and draw attention to the beams.”
Designer tip. Hart suggests adding a pullout wastebin on an outside area of an island to allow guests to toss trash without entering the kitchen and interrupting the cook.
Paint: Cool December, Dunn-Edwards
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3. Expandable Eating
Designer: Amy Troute Inspired Interior Design
Location: Portland, Oregon
Homeowners’ request. “The remodel would take full advantage of the sweeping views of the rolling hills and increase the kitchen and great room space by four times,” designer Amy Troute says. “Expanding the kitchen, adding a butler’s pantry, a walk-through laundry and seating 18 for family gatherings were the priorities.”
Kitchen island. Large L-shape with movable dining table. “The client has an extraordinary vegetable garden and is a master at canning,” Troute says. “She needed the kitchen, and specifically the island, to accommodate the sprawl of annual canning. Addressing the priority of seating 18 for special occasions, we sourced two extending dining tables — one would sit as the main dining table, and its companion would tuck into the custom island to allow for kitchen-nook-meets-island-style seating. It easily pulls out and, with the addition of two large leaves, pairs with the dining table to seat up to 18 comfortably.”
Other special features. Warm gray cabinets (Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams). Off-white zellige-style tile backsplash. Marble-look quartz countertops (Everleigh by Cambria).
Designer tip. “If you do a white kitchen, add warmth with a touch of color,” Troute says. “The richness of the handmade zellige tiles and the movement in the countertop inspired the paint color, and the result is calm and welcoming.”
10 Kitchen Island Features Pros Always Recommend
Designer: Amy Troute Inspired Interior Design
Location: Portland, Oregon
Homeowners’ request. “The remodel would take full advantage of the sweeping views of the rolling hills and increase the kitchen and great room space by four times,” designer Amy Troute says. “Expanding the kitchen, adding a butler’s pantry, a walk-through laundry and seating 18 for family gatherings were the priorities.”
Kitchen island. Large L-shape with movable dining table. “The client has an extraordinary vegetable garden and is a master at canning,” Troute says. “She needed the kitchen, and specifically the island, to accommodate the sprawl of annual canning. Addressing the priority of seating 18 for special occasions, we sourced two extending dining tables — one would sit as the main dining table, and its companion would tuck into the custom island to allow for kitchen-nook-meets-island-style seating. It easily pulls out and, with the addition of two large leaves, pairs with the dining table to seat up to 18 comfortably.”
Other special features. Warm gray cabinets (Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams). Off-white zellige-style tile backsplash. Marble-look quartz countertops (Everleigh by Cambria).
Designer tip. “If you do a white kitchen, add warmth with a touch of color,” Troute says. “The richness of the handmade zellige tiles and the movement in the countertop inspired the paint color, and the result is calm and welcoming.”
10 Kitchen Island Features Pros Always Recommend
4. Guest-Facing Wine Fridge
Designer: Maika Winter of Winter Creative
Location: Sedona, Arizona
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters); 10 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This rustic-modern kitchen epitomizes easy luxury and was remodeled as a live-work-play escape for an East Coast empty-nester couple,” says designer Maika Winter, who collaborated with her clients using photos saved in Houzz ideabooks to determine their design preferences. “The homeowner requested a relaxed yet upscale mountain-modern aesthetic that was warm and livable and connected with the natural environment.”
Kitchen island. Compact with seating for two, a wine fridge and waterfall countertop end. “The island was designed to be the visual centerpiece of the kitchen,” Winter says. “Being [that it was] most visible from the hall, we opted to waterfall a striking green quartzite slab on this side to really draw people in while commanding an immediate connection with the greenery outside. Since the kitchen is more petite, we made use of every inch of space to incorporate all the little luxuries the homeowner wanted, including a built-in wine refrigerator framed in walnut to match the rest of the custom millwork.”
Other special features. Grain-matched Claro walnut cabinets. Copper accents and hardware, including a custom mirrored, copper-tone metal range hood.
Designer tip. “By taking the cabinetry up to the ceiling and hiding appliances, we were able to visually expand the small space and minimize interruption to the eye,” Winter says. “We relied on the beautiful wood grains and incredible color and veining of the island slab to provide interest and depth to the design.”
Cabinets: Custom, Opus Fine Millwork
12 Kitchen Island Designs Worth Considering
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Designer: Maika Winter of Winter Creative
Location: Sedona, Arizona
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters); 10 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This rustic-modern kitchen epitomizes easy luxury and was remodeled as a live-work-play escape for an East Coast empty-nester couple,” says designer Maika Winter, who collaborated with her clients using photos saved in Houzz ideabooks to determine their design preferences. “The homeowner requested a relaxed yet upscale mountain-modern aesthetic that was warm and livable and connected with the natural environment.”
Kitchen island. Compact with seating for two, a wine fridge and waterfall countertop end. “The island was designed to be the visual centerpiece of the kitchen,” Winter says. “Being [that it was] most visible from the hall, we opted to waterfall a striking green quartzite slab on this side to really draw people in while commanding an immediate connection with the greenery outside. Since the kitchen is more petite, we made use of every inch of space to incorporate all the little luxuries the homeowner wanted, including a built-in wine refrigerator framed in walnut to match the rest of the custom millwork.”
Other special features. Grain-matched Claro walnut cabinets. Copper accents and hardware, including a custom mirrored, copper-tone metal range hood.
Designer tip. “By taking the cabinetry up to the ceiling and hiding appliances, we were able to visually expand the small space and minimize interruption to the eye,” Winter says. “We relied on the beautiful wood grains and incredible color and veining of the island slab to provide interest and depth to the design.”
Cabinets: Custom, Opus Fine Millwork
12 Kitchen Island Designs Worth Considering
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for your kitchen
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Designer: Gloribell Lebron of G. Lebron Interiors
Location: Davie, Florida
Size: 440 square feet (41 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A kitchen that evokes warmth and nostalgia reminiscent of Puerto Rico, where one of the owners is from. “They desired a welcoming atmosphere that combined elegance with a relaxed feel,” designer Gloribell Lebron says. “We focused on creating an open, airy design with a cohesive blend of textures and materials that reflect the homeowner’s heritage and style while creating areas of total functionality, like the coffee station, improved pantry storage and more seating space.”
Lebron uses Houzz Pro business software to help manage design projects. “We used Houzz Pro to quickly send invoices and proposals to the client, and also to provide alternatives to some of the sourced items so that the client could quickly make decisions,” Lebron says.
Kitchen island. Extra-long with counter-height seating and a drop-down dining table. “It was designed to maximize functionality and social interaction,” Lebron says. “The island’s countertop is made from white porcelain with subtle veining, paired with maple-finish wood cabinetry with solid wood trim and a drop-down table made of solid white oak wood. This design was chosen for its blend of durability and aesthetic appeal, seamlessly integrating the cooking, dining, beverage and socializing areas.”
Other special features. “Open shelving with carefully selected tiles in a soft terra-cotta color served as the perfect backdrop for the beverage station,” Lebron says. “These sunset-toned tiles in the backsplash evoke the colors of the client’s island sunsets. To enhance these tones, we used brass fixtures that add a touch of elegance and warmth. The arches used to enhance the pantry door and beverage station are reminiscent of Spanish architectural features on the island.”
Designer tip. “Incorporating open shelving with a mix of decorative and functional items can make a kitchen feel more personalized and inviting,” Lebron says. “It allows homeowners to display their favorite pieces while keeping essentials within reach.”
Cabinetry: Custom, Earth Sourced Design; cabinet paint: Toque White, Sherwin-Williams
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