6 New Kitchens With Clever Island Seating Ideas
See how pros handle seating arrangements, height and other details to create casual kitchen dining setups
Many homeowners choose to integrate an island with seating into their kitchens to provide a casual spot to relax, dine and converse with the cook. But there are many ways to arrange seating at an island. You can opt to have guests face each other, the action in the kitchen or a mix of both. You can set up seating at countertop height, bar height, table height or a combination. Here, six pros share how they created special island seating.
2. Hide and Sleek
Designer: Victor Fernandez of Bluebell Kitchens
Location: Ventnor, New Jersey
Size: 441 square feet (41 square meters); 21 by 21 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The house was purchased by two brothers to keep the family closer and the owners needed a space that could accommodate two large families at the same time,” designer Victor Fernandez says. “The house was very dated and needed a big makeover.”
Island seating. A two-tier secondary island provides seating for 11 people. “The second island was created so that both families could all sit together at the same time and eliminate the need for buying a dining table,” Fernandez says. “You will notice that the island for seating has two levels. This was to add more architectural detail to the island table and to be different from a regular island, which is normally all on one level. Also, the room needed to have breaks in height because it’s such a big space to fill.”
Other special features. Light wood cabinets (rift-cut white oak), flooring and stools. Slab marble-look quartz backsplash and countertops. The islands have reeded detailing that adds visual texture and interest.
Designer tip. “Hidden pantry doors are the best solution to make a modern or traditional space special,” Fernandez says. “Also, rounded corners on an island ensure the circulation of people in the space is seamless.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The rift white oak color was a challenge,” Fernandez says. “The homeowners wanted it to match the floors, and they wanted the second island to look like floating stones. To do this, we created a special steel structure that is hidden under the stone tops and wooden legs that’s attached to the floor. This structure gives the appearance that the stone tops are floating while ensuring the weight of the tops is safe and secure.”
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Designer: Victor Fernandez of Bluebell Kitchens
Location: Ventnor, New Jersey
Size: 441 square feet (41 square meters); 21 by 21 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The house was purchased by two brothers to keep the family closer and the owners needed a space that could accommodate two large families at the same time,” designer Victor Fernandez says. “The house was very dated and needed a big makeover.”
Island seating. A two-tier secondary island provides seating for 11 people. “The second island was created so that both families could all sit together at the same time and eliminate the need for buying a dining table,” Fernandez says. “You will notice that the island for seating has two levels. This was to add more architectural detail to the island table and to be different from a regular island, which is normally all on one level. Also, the room needed to have breaks in height because it’s such a big space to fill.”
Other special features. Light wood cabinets (rift-cut white oak), flooring and stools. Slab marble-look quartz backsplash and countertops. The islands have reeded detailing that adds visual texture and interest.
Designer tip. “Hidden pantry doors are the best solution to make a modern or traditional space special,” Fernandez says. “Also, rounded corners on an island ensure the circulation of people in the space is seamless.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The rift white oak color was a challenge,” Fernandez says. “The homeowners wanted it to match the floors, and they wanted the second island to look like floating stones. To do this, we created a special steel structure that is hidden under the stone tops and wooden legs that’s attached to the floor. This structure gives the appearance that the stone tops are floating while ensuring the weight of the tops is safe and secure.”
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3. Rustic and Refined
Designers: Melanie Turner Interiors and Greg Dennee and Darin Hoekema of Locati Architects
Location: Big Sky, Montana
Size: 238 square feet (22 square meters); 14 by 17 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This kitchen maximizes open space instead of walls,” designer Melanie Turner says. “The setting and views dictate an open plan that seamlessly flows into surrounding spaces — breakfast nook, great room, formal dining room and bar. The goal for this kitchen was to balance flow, function and maximize gathering. As a result, much of the storage and ‘messy parts’ of the kitchen are tucked into a corner scullery and small pantry behind the range. This allows the main kitchen to prioritize gathering with family and guests.”
Island seating. “The T-shaped island allows for conversation between those seated in the breakfast room and those working in the kitchen,” Turner says. “
Other special features. Soft light black cabinets with blue undertones (Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore). Reclaimed-wood beams and posts. Custom metal range hood. Handcrafted backsplash tile.
Designer tip. “Always prioritize connections and flow of spaces and allow the smaller details to follow,” architect Darin Hoekema says.
25 Knockout Kitchen Backsplashes
Designers: Melanie Turner Interiors and Greg Dennee and Darin Hoekema of Locati Architects
Location: Big Sky, Montana
Size: 238 square feet (22 square meters); 14 by 17 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This kitchen maximizes open space instead of walls,” designer Melanie Turner says. “The setting and views dictate an open plan that seamlessly flows into surrounding spaces — breakfast nook, great room, formal dining room and bar. The goal for this kitchen was to balance flow, function and maximize gathering. As a result, much of the storage and ‘messy parts’ of the kitchen are tucked into a corner scullery and small pantry behind the range. This allows the main kitchen to prioritize gathering with family and guests.”
Island seating. “The T-shaped island allows for conversation between those seated in the breakfast room and those working in the kitchen,” Turner says. “
Other special features. Soft light black cabinets with blue undertones (Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore). Reclaimed-wood beams and posts. Custom metal range hood. Handcrafted backsplash tile.
Designer tip. “Always prioritize connections and flow of spaces and allow the smaller details to follow,” architect Darin Hoekema says.
25 Knockout Kitchen Backsplashes
4. Cool Contrast
Designer: Tricia Bayer of Belle Kitchen
Location: Orono, Minnesota
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. For this new-construction home, the owners wanted a modern, sleek kitchen that packed a relatively small footprint with lots of appliances and function.
Island seating. A custom walnut bar-height table provides seating at the workhorse island, which includes a workstation sink with two faucets and a flush-mount induction cooktop. “The walnut table intersects the geometry of the island and houses convenient outlets,” designer Tricia Bayer says.
Other special features. Black flat-panel perimeter cabinets with walnut units. White flat-panel island base. White quartz countertops with waterfall edge on the island. White elongated hexagonal backsplash tile.
Designer tip. “Less is more, always,” Bayer says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The island was not originally designed to be the way that it is,” Bayer says. “The client had originally wanted only two seats but changed their mind during the installation process. We had to rework some of the island cabinetry to design the current and final design. We couldn’t, however, afford the time it would take to order any new product from Germany (Leicht cabinets), so we came up with several different layouts based on the cabinetry and paneling that we did have. You would never know this was not the original design. The client was very happy with the final result.”
Custom walnut bar: Timber & Tulip
Designer: Tricia Bayer of Belle Kitchen
Location: Orono, Minnesota
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. For this new-construction home, the owners wanted a modern, sleek kitchen that packed a relatively small footprint with lots of appliances and function.
Island seating. A custom walnut bar-height table provides seating at the workhorse island, which includes a workstation sink with two faucets and a flush-mount induction cooktop. “The walnut table intersects the geometry of the island and houses convenient outlets,” designer Tricia Bayer says.
Other special features. Black flat-panel perimeter cabinets with walnut units. White flat-panel island base. White quartz countertops with waterfall edge on the island. White elongated hexagonal backsplash tile.
Designer tip. “Less is more, always,” Bayer says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The island was not originally designed to be the way that it is,” Bayer says. “The client had originally wanted only two seats but changed their mind during the installation process. We had to rework some of the island cabinetry to design the current and final design. We couldn’t, however, afford the time it would take to order any new product from Germany (Leicht cabinets), so we came up with several different layouts based on the cabinetry and paneling that we did have. You would never know this was not the original design. The client was very happy with the final result.”
Custom walnut bar: Timber & Tulip
5. Family Flow
Designer: Cemmy Kurt of Dulles Kitchen and Bath
Location: Fairfax Station, Virginia
Size: 500 square feet (46 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The ultimate goal was to have an open concept to accommodate the homeowners’ large family and frequent group gatherings,” designer Cemmy Kurt says. “Increasing the footprint of the kitchen by moving walls and widening the high-traffic-flow areas allowed us to accomplish this goal.”
Island seating. A raised work island sits perpendicular to a large dining island with seating for 10. “Creating two islands in the kitchen, one specifically for prep and the other, larger island for meals and entertaining, allows for the homeowner to interact with guests while still having plenty of functional workspace,” Kurt says. “Not only is the island socially functional, but they also created valuable storage space.”
Other special features. “In keeping with ’70s Colonial house style, we used copper-core 12-by-24-inch porcelain floor tiles to coordinate with the brick accent wall that the homeowners maintained from the original bones of the house,” Kurt says. “Fine custom cabinetry enabled us to use contrasting finishes (Hatteras finish by Marsh Cabinets on the island and Irish Crème finish by Medallion for the perimeter). Also, with a focus on direct and indirect lighting, we were able to highlight the cabinetry, hardware and subway tile to exceed expectations.”
Designer tip. “The most important tip that I would recommend to a potential client is to find a designer that listens to and values the homeowners’ wants and needs for the project,” Kurt says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The most challenging aspect of this project was to fit two islands in the perimeter without creating a bottleneck in the high-traffic workspaces,” Kurt says. “Our saving grace was the ability to modify the depth of the island cabinets and minimize countertop overhang in the prep island to accommodate a large traffic pathway.”
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Designer: Cemmy Kurt of Dulles Kitchen and Bath
Location: Fairfax Station, Virginia
Size: 500 square feet (46 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The ultimate goal was to have an open concept to accommodate the homeowners’ large family and frequent group gatherings,” designer Cemmy Kurt says. “Increasing the footprint of the kitchen by moving walls and widening the high-traffic-flow areas allowed us to accomplish this goal.”
Island seating. A raised work island sits perpendicular to a large dining island with seating for 10. “Creating two islands in the kitchen, one specifically for prep and the other, larger island for meals and entertaining, allows for the homeowner to interact with guests while still having plenty of functional workspace,” Kurt says. “Not only is the island socially functional, but they also created valuable storage space.”
Other special features. “In keeping with ’70s Colonial house style, we used copper-core 12-by-24-inch porcelain floor tiles to coordinate with the brick accent wall that the homeowners maintained from the original bones of the house,” Kurt says. “Fine custom cabinetry enabled us to use contrasting finishes (Hatteras finish by Marsh Cabinets on the island and Irish Crème finish by Medallion for the perimeter). Also, with a focus on direct and indirect lighting, we were able to highlight the cabinetry, hardware and subway tile to exceed expectations.”
Designer tip. “The most important tip that I would recommend to a potential client is to find a designer that listens to and values the homeowners’ wants and needs for the project,” Kurt says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The most challenging aspect of this project was to fit two islands in the perimeter without creating a bottleneck in the high-traffic workspaces,” Kurt says. “Our saving grace was the ability to modify the depth of the island cabinets and minimize countertop overhang in the prep island to accommodate a large traffic pathway.”
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
6. Movable Feast
Designer: Shanna Shryne Design
Location: Hermosa Beach, California
Size: 361 square feet (34 square meters); 19 by 19 feet
Homeowners request. “An inviting, relaxed space with an elevated coastal feel,” designer Shanna Shryne says. “A place where the kids could come in from a surf session and catch up with their parents.”
Island seating. Island with movable table extension. “The existing island had seating, but the client wished to redesign and reimagine the seating arrangement in order to have the ability to enjoy conversations face-to-face with her teenage children,” Shryne says. “We worked with a cabinetmaker to build a custom table that juts out from the main island. This new table can also be moved around the room and used for other purposes.”
Other special features. “My Australian client sourced fun printed fabric from her native homeland, which we utilized for window treatments,” Shryne says. “And we brought these colors into other areas of the kitchen design.”
The island is painted in Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball. The island countertop is soapstone. The perimeter countertops are marble. The floors are white oak.
“Uh-oh” moment. “My client insisted she wanted open shelving in the kitchen,” Shryne says. “As a designer, I love this look, but only for the right client. Luckily, I knew my client would keep the space functional and organized without compromising the aesthetic.”
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Designer: Shanna Shryne Design
Location: Hermosa Beach, California
Size: 361 square feet (34 square meters); 19 by 19 feet
Homeowners request. “An inviting, relaxed space with an elevated coastal feel,” designer Shanna Shryne says. “A place where the kids could come in from a surf session and catch up with their parents.”
Island seating. Island with movable table extension. “The existing island had seating, but the client wished to redesign and reimagine the seating arrangement in order to have the ability to enjoy conversations face-to-face with her teenage children,” Shryne says. “We worked with a cabinetmaker to build a custom table that juts out from the main island. This new table can also be moved around the room and used for other purposes.”
Other special features. “My Australian client sourced fun printed fabric from her native homeland, which we utilized for window treatments,” Shryne says. “And we brought these colors into other areas of the kitchen design.”
The island is painted in Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball. The island countertop is soapstone. The perimeter countertops are marble. The floors are white oak.
“Uh-oh” moment. “My client insisted she wanted open shelving in the kitchen,” Shryne says. “As a designer, I love this look, but only for the right client. Luckily, I knew my client would keep the space functional and organized without compromising the aesthetic.”
More on Houzz
See more about kitchen counters
Find a countertop installer near you
Shop for kitchen products
Designer: Olga Adler
Location: Delray Beach, Florida
Size: 510 square feet (47 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This kitchen is part of a brand-new addition to an existing residence,” designer Olga Adler says. “Working with a clean slate gave us freedom to design an ideal space — a spacious, open-floor-plan kitchen that is a part of a large living and kitchen area.”
Island seating. “I used one of my favorite tricks in this kitchen, dropping the eating portion of the island counter to the table height — 30 inches — as opposed to a raised bar height or standard island height,” Adler says. “It’s a house that’s designed for entertaining and for informal meals shared in the kitchen either sitting or standing around the island, which is the main prep area, and while watching and conversing with the chef at work. So it was not important for family members to be able to face each other while seated at the island. They have a formal dining space for that.”
Other special features. Zebra wood island veneer. Oversize woven rattan pendant lights. Frosted glass backsplash tile. The island features a 40-inch workstation sink with built-in cutting board and a set of removable accessories. White base cabinets, no upper cabinets and 11-foot ceilings create an airy feel. “Dark wood accents — island, floating shelves, hood border — are consistent with the color scheme of the rest of the house, which is based on light-dark contrast so typical of the Spanish style,” Adler says.
Wall paint: Oxford White by Benjamin Moore
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