7 Smart Ideas for the End of a Kitchen Island
Extend function in the kitchen by building in chopping blocks, appliances, storage and more
We ask a lot of kitchen islands. The more storage and function you can pack into an island, the lighter and airier the rest of your kitchen becomes. That’s why designers try to make every square inch count. Take the end of the island. Depending on what’s in the middle of an island — sink, deep cabinets, dishwasher, cooktop — you’re usually not left with much room. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.
The ends of islands are often located opposite key features of the kitchen, such as the range or refrigerator, or even face outward to a family or dining area. That makes the end of an island a great spot to put items you want within easy reach of the cook, or of others you want to keep out of the main cooking circulation areas. Here are seven ways designers have turned the end of a kitchen island into a vital part of the kitchen design.
The ends of islands are often located opposite key features of the kitchen, such as the range or refrigerator, or even face outward to a family or dining area. That makes the end of an island a great spot to put items you want within easy reach of the cook, or of others you want to keep out of the main cooking circulation areas. Here are seven ways designers have turned the end of a kitchen island into a vital part of the kitchen design.
2. Custom Drawers for Extra-Large Items
Designer: Jan Goldman of Kitchen Elements
Location: Kensington, Maryland
Size: 315 square feet (29 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Integrate the dining room with the kitchen, creating one larger space. “The hope for an island was the driving force in the redesign,” designer Jan Goldman says. “The island surface dramatically increases the work surface, so that the kitchen could account for more than one person to work in the kitchen at the same time.”
Kitchen island end. Two top drawers store napkins, place mats and other tableware close to a nearby bistro table. The bottom drawer stores a large stockpot that one of the homeowners wanted easy access to. “This tall stockpot was not going to fit in the pot-and-pan drawers to the left and right of the range,” Goldman says. “I need both of those drawer cabinets to be exactly the same dimensions to each other. Since she needed a particularly tall or deep bottom drawer, I suggested the end of the island, and tableware items in the two drawers above.”
Other special features. Graphic Moroccan-style backsplash tile, which was the jumping-off point for this kitchen design and helped determine the navy blue cabinet color.
Designer tip. “The work triangle is not necessarily the answer for each homeowner,” Goldman says. “I prefer to create designs that answer to the client’s needs and determine work zones. Also, not all elements of a design need to carry the same visual weight. Too many focal points can detract from the overall integrity of the kitchen design to read as a whole. Be thoughtful about about how many points of visual stimulation you present.”
Tile: Morisco C Moroccan ceramic tile, about 8 by 8 inches, Bel Tile; cabinets: Homestead Custom Cabinetry
Designer: Jan Goldman of Kitchen Elements
Location: Kensington, Maryland
Size: 315 square feet (29 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Integrate the dining room with the kitchen, creating one larger space. “The hope for an island was the driving force in the redesign,” designer Jan Goldman says. “The island surface dramatically increases the work surface, so that the kitchen could account for more than one person to work in the kitchen at the same time.”
Kitchen island end. Two top drawers store napkins, place mats and other tableware close to a nearby bistro table. The bottom drawer stores a large stockpot that one of the homeowners wanted easy access to. “This tall stockpot was not going to fit in the pot-and-pan drawers to the left and right of the range,” Goldman says. “I need both of those drawer cabinets to be exactly the same dimensions to each other. Since she needed a particularly tall or deep bottom drawer, I suggested the end of the island, and tableware items in the two drawers above.”
Other special features. Graphic Moroccan-style backsplash tile, which was the jumping-off point for this kitchen design and helped determine the navy blue cabinet color.
Designer tip. “The work triangle is not necessarily the answer for each homeowner,” Goldman says. “I prefer to create designs that answer to the client’s needs and determine work zones. Also, not all elements of a design need to carry the same visual weight. Too many focal points can detract from the overall integrity of the kitchen design to read as a whole. Be thoughtful about about how many points of visual stimulation you present.”
Tile: Morisco C Moroccan ceramic tile, about 8 by 8 inches, Bel Tile; cabinets: Homestead Custom Cabinetry
3. Chopping Block With Storage
Designer: Sarah Kahn Turner for Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Size: 270 square feet (25 square meters); 15 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. A warm, inviting, light and bright kitchen. Otherwise, the homeowner taking the lead on the project “was very trustful on letting me run with the finishes,” designer Sarah Kahn Turner says.
Kitchen island end. A custom end-cut cherrywood cutting board installed on a cabinet. “She loves to cook, and having a nice chopping block designated right at the island made prep a snap,” Kahn Turner says. “It’s got a food-safe mineral oil finish and is designated FDA food-safe. All her cooking needs are kept in the island storage.”
Designer: Sarah Kahn Turner for Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Size: 270 square feet (25 square meters); 15 by 18 feet
Homeowners’ request. A warm, inviting, light and bright kitchen. Otherwise, the homeowner taking the lead on the project “was very trustful on letting me run with the finishes,” designer Sarah Kahn Turner says.
Kitchen island end. A custom end-cut cherrywood cutting board installed on a cabinet. “She loves to cook, and having a nice chopping block designated right at the island made prep a snap,” Kahn Turner says. “It’s got a food-safe mineral oil finish and is designated FDA food-safe. All her cooking needs are kept in the island storage.”
Other special features. The island cabinets are painted in Labrador Blue, and the perimeter cabinets are in Lily White, both by Benjamin Moore. The pantry wall is weathered and worn rift-cut white oak with a distressed finish. “It’s a fresh take on the barn-wood trend,” Kahn Turner says.
Designer tip. “Embrace the ceilings,” Kahn Turner says. “We added a window in the cathedral ceiling for additional light. We added a drywall alcove to help define the kitchen from the living room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Cabinets came in that weren’t shortened to accommodate the gas pipe for the cooktop,” Kahn Turner says. “We had to make significant modifications to the drawer boxes on-site. There is always a solution.”
Iris single pendant by Thomas O’Brien in bronze and hand-rubbed antique brass: Visual Comfort; project photos: Keiana Photography
Designer tip. “Embrace the ceilings,” Kahn Turner says. “We added a window in the cathedral ceiling for additional light. We added a drywall alcove to help define the kitchen from the living room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Cabinets came in that weren’t shortened to accommodate the gas pipe for the cooktop,” Kahn Turner says. “We had to make significant modifications to the drawer boxes on-site. There is always a solution.”
Iris single pendant by Thomas O’Brien in bronze and hand-rubbed antique brass: Visual Comfort; project photos: Keiana Photography
4. Shallow Storage
Designer: Kimmie Rokahr of Design Loft Cabinets
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: 280 square feet (26 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A kitchen with smart storage that would make grabbing appliances easy, and in a style that would depart from the popular white cabinets and white subway tile.
Kitchen island end. One end is a full-height, 12-inch-deep base cabinet that stores serving trays that can be easily pulled out for entertaining. On the other end, opposite the range, there’s a 12-inch-deep cabinet with dividers for cookie trays and muffin tins. There’s also a 12-inch-deep drawer that stores spices. The homeowner taking the lead on the project “wanted to use all ends of her island,” designer Kimmie Rokahr says.
Designer: Kimmie Rokahr of Design Loft Cabinets
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Size: 280 square feet (26 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A kitchen with smart storage that would make grabbing appliances easy, and in a style that would depart from the popular white cabinets and white subway tile.
Kitchen island end. One end is a full-height, 12-inch-deep base cabinet that stores serving trays that can be easily pulled out for entertaining. On the other end, opposite the range, there’s a 12-inch-deep cabinet with dividers for cookie trays and muffin tins. There’s also a 12-inch-deep drawer that stores spices. The homeowner taking the lead on the project “wanted to use all ends of her island,” designer Kimmie Rokahr says.
Other special features. Beneath the island overhang is a full-height, 42-inch-wide cabinet with a touch latch, covered in a wainscot panel. Champagne bronze hardware.
Designer tip. “The success of this project was due to the trust of our client to move rooms within the house,” Rokahr says. “We had the guidance of Derick Jones with Addison Building Group. He took lead on the project, assuring the homeowner of the possibilities. The kitchen was once the family room with a fireplace. The old kitchen became a mudroom. The old den became a more casual eating area.” The homeowners “wanted a more open feel for living. They did get this, although they did leave the walls intact of the old dining room and transformed it into a cozy, awesome den [for] when they wanted to escape their busy lives and relax together.”
Custom cabinets: Unique collection, Cabico
Designer tip. “The success of this project was due to the trust of our client to move rooms within the house,” Rokahr says. “We had the guidance of Derick Jones with Addison Building Group. He took lead on the project, assuring the homeowner of the possibilities. The kitchen was once the family room with a fireplace. The old kitchen became a mudroom. The old den became a more casual eating area.” The homeowners “wanted a more open feel for living. They did get this, although they did leave the walls intact of the old dining room and transformed it into a cozy, awesome den [for] when they wanted to escape their busy lives and relax together.”
Custom cabinets: Unique collection, Cabico
5. Refrigerator Drawers
Designer: Kelly Nelson Designs
Location: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Size: 600 square feet (56 square meters); 20 by 30 feet
Homeowners’ request. For this new-construction beach house, the owners wanted an open, airy kitchen, dining and family room area, with room in the kitchen for several people to cook at the same time.
Kitchen island end. Two refrigerator drawers store soft drinks and other things that can easily be grabbed without the need to search through the refrigerator. “It’s great for kids and adults,” says designer Kelly Nelson, whose client found her by searching for designers on Houzz. “Nobody wants to have to move everything out of the refrigerator just to find a juice box.”
Other special features. Light blue cabinets (Tidewater by Sherwin-Williams). Coffered ceiling.
Designer tip. “I think putting a second large sink at the very end of the range counter run, down by the banquette seating area, was a smart move,” Nelson says. “Having it a little removed from everything else gives kids with dirty hands or people doing prep work more space to spread out. I also think going with lighting that has some texture and more of an informal feel was perfect for this type of beach kitchen. The kitchen is fairly grand, and going with these lights instead of more formal ones gives the entire space a little more of a laid-back feel.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “During the installation, we discovered that the stools we originally designed for the island had arms that were too tall,” Nelson says. “They couldn’t be pushed in. Uh-oh. We ended up using those stools elsewhere and had these stools made with sloped arms so they could be fully pushed in. A chair’s arm height is an important thing to check for both islands and tables.”
Designer: Kelly Nelson Designs
Location: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Size: 600 square feet (56 square meters); 20 by 30 feet
Homeowners’ request. For this new-construction beach house, the owners wanted an open, airy kitchen, dining and family room area, with room in the kitchen for several people to cook at the same time.
Kitchen island end. Two refrigerator drawers store soft drinks and other things that can easily be grabbed without the need to search through the refrigerator. “It’s great for kids and adults,” says designer Kelly Nelson, whose client found her by searching for designers on Houzz. “Nobody wants to have to move everything out of the refrigerator just to find a juice box.”
Other special features. Light blue cabinets (Tidewater by Sherwin-Williams). Coffered ceiling.
Designer tip. “I think putting a second large sink at the very end of the range counter run, down by the banquette seating area, was a smart move,” Nelson says. “Having it a little removed from everything else gives kids with dirty hands or people doing prep work more space to spread out. I also think going with lighting that has some texture and more of an informal feel was perfect for this type of beach kitchen. The kitchen is fairly grand, and going with these lights instead of more formal ones gives the entire space a little more of a laid-back feel.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “During the installation, we discovered that the stools we originally designed for the island had arms that were too tall,” Nelson says. “They couldn’t be pushed in. Uh-oh. We ended up using those stools elsewhere and had these stools made with sloped arms so they could be fully pushed in. A chair’s arm height is an important thing to check for both islands and tables.”
6. Garbage-and-Recycling Cabinet and Slim Refrigerator
Designer: Chad Esslinger Design
Location: Downers Grove, Illinois
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Update a cramped and dated kitchen to include new cabinets, appliances, a custom island that could seat the whole family and a new wall of pantry cabinets.
Kitchen island end. A dual garbage-and-recycling cabinet, a utensil drawer and a slim beverage fridge.
Other special features. Rich green cabinets (Rainy Afternoon by Benjamin Moore). Knotty alder wood island. Geometric-pattern cement tile on the sink wall. Lighting and cabinet hardware with an antique brass finish.
Designer tip. “I tell clients all the time, there is no need for an island and a kitchen table within a few feet of each other,” designer Chad Esslinger says. “Losing the kitchen table and expanding and upgrading the island, as well as adding the wall of pantry cabinets, was a huge game-changer.”
“Uh-oh” moment. The homeowner taking the lead on the project “was just a little bit nervous about painting her cabinets a bold color, but once we saw the sample up, it was ‘game on,’” Esslinger says.
Project photography: Picture Perfect House
Designer: Chad Esslinger Design
Location: Downers Grove, Illinois
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. Update a cramped and dated kitchen to include new cabinets, appliances, a custom island that could seat the whole family and a new wall of pantry cabinets.
Kitchen island end. A dual garbage-and-recycling cabinet, a utensil drawer and a slim beverage fridge.
Other special features. Rich green cabinets (Rainy Afternoon by Benjamin Moore). Knotty alder wood island. Geometric-pattern cement tile on the sink wall. Lighting and cabinet hardware with an antique brass finish.
Designer tip. “I tell clients all the time, there is no need for an island and a kitchen table within a few feet of each other,” designer Chad Esslinger says. “Losing the kitchen table and expanding and upgrading the island, as well as adding the wall of pantry cabinets, was a huge game-changer.”
“Uh-oh” moment. The homeowner taking the lead on the project “was just a little bit nervous about painting her cabinets a bold color, but once we saw the sample up, it was ‘game on,’” Esslinger says.
Project photography: Picture Perfect House
7. Microwave Drawer
Designer: Jennifer Jacob of Builders’ General Supply
Location: Ocean Gate, New Jersey
Size: 204 square feet (19 square meters); 10 feet, 10 inches by 18 feet, 8 inches
Homeowners’ request. Update a childhood home by expanding the kitchen while preserving the water view, which meant minimizing upper cabinets.
Kitchen island end. Microwave drawer. “I like to locate the microwave close to the refrigerator for convenience, and we didn’t want to compromise the wall cabinetry space,” designer Jennifer Jacob says. “With the addition of the second sink and dishwasher, we were running out of options for the microwave, so placing the microwave drawer at the end of the island was our best option.”
Other special features. White Fantasy granite countertops. Furniture-style island base with shiplap paneling on the back. Multiple wall sconces. Backsplash is white Carrara marble mini tile in a fish-scale pattern.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The challenge in this kitchen was the limited wall-cabinet space,” Jacob says. “I had to figure out how to maximize storage while not compromising the view. We chose to make space for large windows to maximize the view, and then utilize every wall space we had left in the kitchen for cabinetry that sat on the counter and created the look of a hutch. Once the placement of the cabinets was set, we had one wall cabinet all by itself and all the way on the other side of the kitchen. The challenge then became how to make that cabinet look like part of the kitchen. We decided to create the window soffits in the same material as the cabinets, and carry the cabinetry trim around the room to tie them all together.”
Wall sconces: Kichler; builder: Chap Construction; project photographs: Dianne Ahto of Graphicus 14 Productions
More on Houzz
How Much Room Do You Need for a Kitchen Island?
8 Narrow Kitchen Islands With Function to Spare
Get more kitchen design ideas
Find a kitchen designer near you
Shop for kitchen products
Designer: Jennifer Jacob of Builders’ General Supply
Location: Ocean Gate, New Jersey
Size: 204 square feet (19 square meters); 10 feet, 10 inches by 18 feet, 8 inches
Homeowners’ request. Update a childhood home by expanding the kitchen while preserving the water view, which meant minimizing upper cabinets.
Kitchen island end. Microwave drawer. “I like to locate the microwave close to the refrigerator for convenience, and we didn’t want to compromise the wall cabinetry space,” designer Jennifer Jacob says. “With the addition of the second sink and dishwasher, we were running out of options for the microwave, so placing the microwave drawer at the end of the island was our best option.”
Other special features. White Fantasy granite countertops. Furniture-style island base with shiplap paneling on the back. Multiple wall sconces. Backsplash is white Carrara marble mini tile in a fish-scale pattern.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The challenge in this kitchen was the limited wall-cabinet space,” Jacob says. “I had to figure out how to maximize storage while not compromising the view. We chose to make space for large windows to maximize the view, and then utilize every wall space we had left in the kitchen for cabinetry that sat on the counter and created the look of a hutch. Once the placement of the cabinets was set, we had one wall cabinet all by itself and all the way on the other side of the kitchen. The challenge then became how to make that cabinet look like part of the kitchen. We decided to create the window soffits in the same material as the cabinets, and carry the cabinetry trim around the room to tie them all together.”
Wall sconces: Kichler; builder: Chap Construction; project photographs: Dianne Ahto of Graphicus 14 Productions
More on Houzz
How Much Room Do You Need for a Kitchen Island?
8 Narrow Kitchen Islands With Function to Spare
Get more kitchen design ideas
Find a kitchen designer near you
Shop for kitchen products
Designers: Toledo Geller, Crimson Capital and Signature Cabinetry
Location: Mantoloking, New Jersey
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters); 20 by 15 feet
Homeowners’ request. For this spec house, the designers and developers envisioned a family looking for a home near the ocean, with the kitchen as the hub and with the capability to host large gatherings.
Kitchen island end. A cutting board with storage and legs on casters can be tucked away when not in use. “The rollaway cart is super helpful in keeping countertops clear and gives the cook added chopping surface in a pinch,” designer Virginia Toledo of Toledo Geller says.
Other special features. “We used a lot of white oak to add texture to the tried-and-true white kitchen,” Toledo says. Low-maintenance quartz-composite countertops and backsplash — at stove elevation only — were used for their simplicity and clean lines.”
Designer tip. “The idea of ‘less is more’ went a long way here,” Toledo says. “We could have added a lot more detail but chose to let the ocean you see while standing in the kitchen take center stage. We kept the palette to only a handful of neutral colors and used wood instead of tile or stone at the backsplash.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The size of the pendants over the island was a challenge, because we didn’t want to detract from the view but certainly wanted something with enough scale over the large island,” Toledo says. “In the end, we settled on a simple shape that was the best of both worlds.”
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