Pros’ 14 Favorite Kitchen Island Features
From extra-deep drawers to seating on two sides, design professionals share the island features they always recommend
“Everyone wants an island in their kitchen — the bigger the better. It is the most requested kitchen must-have we receive,” says Chad Kahle, president of Kitchen Vision of the Carolinas in Denver and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. And islands are getting bigger than ever, according to the 2024 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. Of the 3,437 homeowners Houzz surveyed about their recent or planned kitchen renovation projects, 2 in 5 (42%) were opting for islands longer than 7 feet. That’s 10 percentage points up from 2020.
As kitchen islands increase in size, so do the possibilities for customization. So what should homeowners be including to make the most of this popular kitchen feature? We canvassed kitchen design professionals to find out.
As kitchen islands increase in size, so do the possibilities for customization. So what should homeowners be including to make the most of this popular kitchen feature? We canvassed kitchen design professionals to find out.
You can enhance functionality by designing seating to run along two sides of the island rather than having a traditional straight run across the back, says Denise Hauser, kitchen and bathroom designer and principal at Denise Hauser Design in Oak Park, Illinois. “This arrangement can easily replace a dining or breakfast table, which is something we’re seeing a lot more of these days. A setup like this also feels more intimate [than a single, straight run of seating] and helps foster conversation.
“Another benefit is that it allows you to include storage on the front of the island for items like serving ware, which can ease congestion in the working part of the kitchen when you’re entertaining,” Hauser says.
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“Another benefit is that it allows you to include storage on the front of the island for items like serving ware, which can ease congestion in the working part of the kitchen when you’re entertaining,” Hauser says.
How to Make Your Kitchen Photography More Clickable
2. Deep Drawers
For a kitchen that functions smoothly and keeps everything within easy reach, it’s important to include generous drawers in the island, several of the experts told us.
“Deep drawers allow you to store pots and pans, large bowls and other items in a way that is far more accessible than a wall or base cabinet,” says Arthur Zobel, owner of Zobel & Co. Kitchens in Glens Falls, New York.
Adding drawer dividers, be it in the form of two-tiered cutlery trays, dish separators or customized inserts for bulky items, can further optimize space in deep drawers, says Julie Holzman, principal interior designer at Holzman Interiors in Stamford, Connecticut.
For a kitchen that functions smoothly and keeps everything within easy reach, it’s important to include generous drawers in the island, several of the experts told us.
“Deep drawers allow you to store pots and pans, large bowls and other items in a way that is far more accessible than a wall or base cabinet,” says Arthur Zobel, owner of Zobel & Co. Kitchens in Glens Falls, New York.
Adding drawer dividers, be it in the form of two-tiered cutlery trays, dish separators or customized inserts for bulky items, can further optimize space in deep drawers, says Julie Holzman, principal interior designer at Holzman Interiors in Stamford, Connecticut.
3. Contrasting Material
To define the dining portion of a kitchen island and give it “a restaurant dining vibe,” Hauser typically adds a slender section of wood above the stone countertop. This Chicago kitchen, where she applied a fine layer of walnut to the dining section of the porcelain countertop, is a great example.
Hauser uses Houzz Pro Mood Boards to easily convey creative visions like these to clients and streamline the material selection process. “It has helped my process tremendously, allowing my clients to easily visualize the composition,” she says. Houzz Pro software can help you save time and hassle in other ways too. Use it to share photos, files, proposals and more with your clientele.
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To define the dining portion of a kitchen island and give it “a restaurant dining vibe,” Hauser typically adds a slender section of wood above the stone countertop. This Chicago kitchen, where she applied a fine layer of walnut to the dining section of the porcelain countertop, is a great example.
Hauser uses Houzz Pro Mood Boards to easily convey creative visions like these to clients and streamline the material selection process. “It has helped my process tremendously, allowing my clients to easily visualize the composition,” she says. Houzz Pro software can help you save time and hassle in other ways too. Use it to share photos, files, proposals and more with your clientele.
Learn about Houzz Pro software
4. Microwave Drawer
“Nearly all the islands we design feature a microwave drawer,” Zobel says. “In most kitchen designs, getting the microwave off the counter and into the island is a major [spatial] improvement, as it separates if from the traffic of other appliances, like the stove, dishwasher and refrigerator.”
“Nearly all the islands we design feature a microwave drawer,” Zobel says. “In most kitchen designs, getting the microwave off the counter and into the island is a major [spatial] improvement, as it separates if from the traffic of other appliances, like the stove, dishwasher and refrigerator.”
5. USB Ports
For Lisa Violetto, co-principal and interior designer at design-build firm Lisa Violetto in San Francisco, installing outlets with USB ports on both sides of the islands is a must. “In this day of multiple devices in every household, having USB outlets eliminates ‘bricks’ blocking the actual outlets,” she says. “It also allows the client to have recipes or entertainment conveniently on display on the island while they are cooking or eating.”
For Lisa Violetto, co-principal and interior designer at design-build firm Lisa Violetto in San Francisco, installing outlets with USB ports on both sides of the islands is a must. “In this day of multiple devices in every household, having USB outlets eliminates ‘bricks’ blocking the actual outlets,” she says. “It also allows the client to have recipes or entertainment conveniently on display on the island while they are cooking or eating.”
6. Smart Lift
Bulky appliances like mixers and food processors can be cumbersome and awkward to store and access. As a result, homeowners often leave them out on the kitchen counter, which leads to cluttered work surfaces.
Creating dedicated storage space in the island for appliances, with a lift-up mechanism that raises them to counter height, is a solution Zobel regularly recommends. “This interior cabinet feature gets rave reviews from home cooks,” he says. “Appliances like mixers and food processors can be rather heavy, so they are used less frequently and are often stored in inconvenient areas. Having a mixer lifter inside an island cabinet is a game changer, making the appliance easily accessible.
“I make use of the space at the bottom of the cabinet by adding a drawer to house the accessories and blades that come with the appliance,” Zobel says.
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Bulky appliances like mixers and food processors can be cumbersome and awkward to store and access. As a result, homeowners often leave them out on the kitchen counter, which leads to cluttered work surfaces.
Creating dedicated storage space in the island for appliances, with a lift-up mechanism that raises them to counter height, is a solution Zobel regularly recommends. “This interior cabinet feature gets rave reviews from home cooks,” he says. “Appliances like mixers and food processors can be rather heavy, so they are used less frequently and are often stored in inconvenient areas. Having a mixer lifter inside an island cabinet is a game changer, making the appliance easily accessible.
“I make use of the space at the bottom of the cabinet by adding a drawer to house the accessories and blades that come with the appliance,” Zobel says.
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7. Tailored Storage
Customizing island storage to a client’s specific needs with features like deep pot drawers, specialized spice and appliance drawers and vertical slots for baking sheets and cutting boards can add to the cost of a kitchen. But for clients who prioritize efficiency or who have a small kitchen where every inch counts, it can be an investment worth making, Kahle says.
“Our clients are looking for function and easy access to what they need,” he says. “Efficiency in today’s hectic world is what they are after. We tailor [island] storage to each client’s needs. Do they need bulk storage? Or more dedicated storage for smaller items? Or groupings of materials for more specific cooking tasks? The result is a highly functional island that looks great.”
Like Kahle, you can use the Estimates tool on Houzz Pro to quickly generate and share projected costs for features such as custom storage with your client. “We use Houzz Pro software to put our estimates together and send them to our clients,” Kahle says.
David Telem, founder of Dave’s Remodeling in Los Angeles, says: “A large island with concealed storage makes the most of kitchen space, keeping the area clutter-free while providing ample room for cooking and entertaining. Incorporating features such as hidden shelves and discreet storage means the island can serve multiple functions, such as dining area, prep space and storage hub, making it a true heart of the kitchen.”
Customizing island storage to a client’s specific needs with features like deep pot drawers, specialized spice and appliance drawers and vertical slots for baking sheets and cutting boards can add to the cost of a kitchen. But for clients who prioritize efficiency or who have a small kitchen where every inch counts, it can be an investment worth making, Kahle says.
“Our clients are looking for function and easy access to what they need,” he says. “Efficiency in today’s hectic world is what they are after. We tailor [island] storage to each client’s needs. Do they need bulk storage? Or more dedicated storage for smaller items? Or groupings of materials for more specific cooking tasks? The result is a highly functional island that looks great.”
Like Kahle, you can use the Estimates tool on Houzz Pro to quickly generate and share projected costs for features such as custom storage with your client. “We use Houzz Pro software to put our estimates together and send them to our clients,” Kahle says.
David Telem, founder of Dave’s Remodeling in Los Angeles, says: “A large island with concealed storage makes the most of kitchen space, keeping the area clutter-free while providing ample room for cooking and entertaining. Incorporating features such as hidden shelves and discreet storage means the island can serve multiple functions, such as dining area, prep space and storage hub, making it a true heart of the kitchen.”
8. Trash and Recycling Station
Streamline your client’s workflow by including a trash and recycling cabinet in the island, says designer Kristina Garcia Stack, owner of Denver Design Group in Littleton, Colorado. “The island is a space where homeowners usually do a lot of prep work. Having trash and recycling nearby makes it easy to clean as they work.”
Streamline your client’s workflow by including a trash and recycling cabinet in the island, says designer Kristina Garcia Stack, owner of Denver Design Group in Littleton, Colorado. “The island is a space where homeowners usually do a lot of prep work. Having trash and recycling nearby makes it easy to clean as they work.”
9. Second Sink
“I always encourage clients to add a second sink to the island so it becomes another prep area,” Velma says. “If the family has two cooks in the house or young kids that like to be involved, this gives everyone more space to spread out comfortably.”
Garcia Stack is also a fan of the two-sink setup. “Having a prep sink [in the island] makes it convenient to wash vegetables and prepare food, or you can fill it with ice to keep drinks cool when you’re entertaining,” she says. “It also creates a second prep space when there’s more than one cook in the kitchen.”
“I always encourage clients to add a second sink to the island so it becomes another prep area,” Velma says. “If the family has two cooks in the house or young kids that like to be involved, this gives everyone more space to spread out comfortably.”
Garcia Stack is also a fan of the two-sink setup. “Having a prep sink [in the island] makes it convenient to wash vegetables and prepare food, or you can fill it with ice to keep drinks cool when you’re entertaining,” she says. “It also creates a second prep space when there’s more than one cook in the kitchen.”
Be aware, however, that adding a second water outlet or a feature such as a built-in microwave (which Velma also rates highly) to the island might not always be straightforward — and can significantly add to the budget. “Plumbing lines need to be run and additional electrical needs to be added,” Velma says. “In spaces like condo buildings, these can be close to impossible.” Where these features can be incorporated, expect them to add 15% to 25% to the overall cost of a kitchen, she says.
10. Independent Island Lighting
“A pendant light is one of the jewels of the kitchen — a chance to create a wow factor above the island,” Violetto says. For maximum flexibility and visual impact, she typically installs an LED pendant on a separate dimmer switch from the recessed ceiling lights. This allows the homeowner to easily transition from bright, focused lighting for food prep to a softer, moodier vibe for entertaining.
“A pendant light is one of the jewels of the kitchen — a chance to create a wow factor above the island,” Violetto says. For maximum flexibility and visual impact, she typically installs an LED pendant on a separate dimmer switch from the recessed ceiling lights. This allows the homeowner to easily transition from bright, focused lighting for food prep to a softer, moodier vibe for entertaining.
11. Double Islands
If space allows, opting for two islands instead of one can make a kitchen far more flexible and functional, says Julie Cavanaugh, founder and principal designer at Design Matters, which operates across five studio showrooms in Northern California; Jackson, Wyoming; and Park City, Utah.
“The owner of this large kitchen in Rancho Las Cimas has a true love of cooking and entertaining,” she says. “Having two islands instead of one large island not only fit the design of the space but allowed the owner to designate one for meal preparation and cleanup and the other for serving and guest seating. As the chef of the house, they can float between the islands and the perimeter with the ease of a kitchen fairy.”
With multiple studios and clients to manage, Cavanaugh relies on Houzz to keep things running smoothly. “We use Houzz for every project, from inception, lead generation and onboarding through to using the Houzz Pro portal to access client accounts and room boards and to manage projects.”
If space allows, opting for two islands instead of one can make a kitchen far more flexible and functional, says Julie Cavanaugh, founder and principal designer at Design Matters, which operates across five studio showrooms in Northern California; Jackson, Wyoming; and Park City, Utah.
“The owner of this large kitchen in Rancho Las Cimas has a true love of cooking and entertaining,” she says. “Having two islands instead of one large island not only fit the design of the space but allowed the owner to designate one for meal preparation and cleanup and the other for serving and guest seating. As the chef of the house, they can float between the islands and the perimeter with the ease of a kitchen fairy.”
With multiple studios and clients to manage, Cavanaugh relies on Houzz to keep things running smoothly. “We use Houzz for every project, from inception, lead generation and onboarding through to using the Houzz Pro portal to access client accounts and room boards and to manage projects.”
12. Beverage Station
An undercounter beverage center or a two-drawer refrigerator for cold drinks is a boon for clients who love to entertain, Holzman says. Position the refrigerator on the outside of the island so guests can help themselves without getting in the way of the chef.
Worry you might not be able to fit one in among the seating and custom storage you’ve specified for your island? You’ll find wine fridges as narrow as 6 inches wide and dual-zone chillers just 15 inches wide that are specially designed for small kitchens.
An undercounter beverage center or a two-drawer refrigerator for cold drinks is a boon for clients who love to entertain, Holzman says. Position the refrigerator on the outside of the island so guests can help themselves without getting in the way of the chef.
Worry you might not be able to fit one in among the seating and custom storage you’ve specified for your island? You’ll find wine fridges as narrow as 6 inches wide and dual-zone chillers just 15 inches wide that are specially designed for small kitchens.
13. Look-at-Me Feature
“Since the island is typically the focal point of the kitchen, it is great to do an unusual detail that sets it apart and gives the island a point of interest and high design,” Hauser says. This could be a bold paint color for the base, a richly veined stone countertop, a curved end or an open section where the client can display treasured collectibles — something that instantly catches the eye, ensuring the island is the undisputed star of the show.
5 Trends in New Engineered Countertops and Surfaces for 2024
“Since the island is typically the focal point of the kitchen, it is great to do an unusual detail that sets it apart and gives the island a point of interest and high design,” Hauser says. This could be a bold paint color for the base, a richly veined stone countertop, a curved end or an open section where the client can display treasured collectibles — something that instantly catches the eye, ensuring the island is the undisputed star of the show.
5 Trends in New Engineered Countertops and Surfaces for 2024
14. Wheels for Tight Spaces
If your clients have their hearts set on a kitchen island but they simply don’t have the room, opt for a space-savvy design on wheels, Velma suggests. “We get a lot of requests for kitchen islands, even in tight spaces, which we always try to accommodate,” she says. “If the space allows for a narrow island, I suggest a movable design on casters that can be rolled out of the way when not in use. This way, there’s flexibility in the kitchen and countertop-prep space when needed.”
If your clients have their hearts set on a kitchen island but they simply don’t have the room, opt for a space-savvy design on wheels, Velma suggests. “We get a lot of requests for kitchen islands, even in tight spaces, which we always try to accommodate,” she says. “If the space allows for a narrow island, I suggest a movable design on casters that can be rolled out of the way when not in use. This way, there’s flexibility in the kitchen and countertop-prep space when needed.”
Plain Countertop or All-in-One?
Several of the kitchen pros we spoke with weighed in on the age-old island debate: Keep it just a countertop, add an integrated sink or cooktop, or include both features?
“This is truly a client decision and depends on how they cook,” Zobel says. “We always present the pros and cons of adding a sink or cooktop. The good reasons are: Perhaps they like to be facing their seated guests while they cook or clean up, or maybe they want to maximize the workspaces on the perimeter of the kitchen, so the island needs to take on one of those features.
“We discuss that a sink or cooktop does add more opportunity for clutter and mess and requires more cleaning. Cooktops also require ventilation, either with a hood over the island or a downdraft vent, which adds complexity [to the design],” Zobel says.
Several of the kitchen pros we spoke with weighed in on the age-old island debate: Keep it just a countertop, add an integrated sink or cooktop, or include both features?
“This is truly a client decision and depends on how they cook,” Zobel says. “We always present the pros and cons of adding a sink or cooktop. The good reasons are: Perhaps they like to be facing their seated guests while they cook or clean up, or maybe they want to maximize the workspaces on the perimeter of the kitchen, so the island needs to take on one of those features.
“We discuss that a sink or cooktop does add more opportunity for clutter and mess and requires more cleaning. Cooktops also require ventilation, either with a hood over the island or a downdraft vent, which adds complexity [to the design],” Zobel says.
“The space we are working in dictates how the island surface ends up,” Kahle says. “I prefer to have one large surface if possible — it keeps the island clean and looking more substantial.
“My least favorite option is to have a cooking surface on the island,” he says. “The oil and food splatter is harder to contain and it’s more difficult to keep your gathering space clean.”
“My least favorite option is to have a cooking surface on the island,” he says. “The oil and food splatter is harder to contain and it’s more difficult to keep your gathering space clean.”
“I prefer to add a sink where space and logistics allow,” Velma says. “I believe it adds a further purpose to the island. If the island is all countertop, it naturally becomes a drop-off zone. When there’s a sink or cooktop, we subconsciously treat it as a prep area and the ‘stuff’ gets put elsewhere.
“Having a cooktop in the island can create a comfortable workflow, but it is sometimes impossible to do due to venting,” Velma says.
“Having a cooktop in the island can create a comfortable workflow, but it is sometimes impossible to do due to venting,” Velma says.
“It depends on what the kitchen needs,” Cavanaugh says. “While an uninterrupted countertop gives you large areas for service and seating, sometimes the size and scale of a kitchen require the water source or cooking element to be on the island. In either case, a great design can afford the homeowner optimized use and beautiful design opportunities.”
Tell us: What do you consider the must-have features for a kitchen island? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Seating is the No. 1 feature clients want their kitchen island to include these days, according to the pros we spoke to. “We get a lot of requests for seating at the island — specifically to have a place to eat quick meals or be able to help the kids with their homework while making dinner in today’s go-go-go world,” Kahle says.
“If space allows, I always recommend including seating — even for two — because when prepping and entertaining, guests naturally gravitate toward the kitchen and the island ends up being the seating area,” says Viktoriya Velma, founder and principal designer at Allure Interiors in Toronto. “I believe a kitchen is far more comfortable and inviting if seating is available.”