Kitchens are often the heart of the home and are a great place for your family and friends to gather. If you’re considering a remodel or an update to your kitchen, you may be thinking about adding a kitchen island. Here are a few kitchen island ideas to consider for your kitchen remodel:

1. Add More Kitchen Seating

If you feel like you don’t have enough seating in your kitchen, make that a priority with your kitchen island. Adding extra seating to your kitchen island is a popular kitchen remodeling trend and is also a great way to spend time with your family while you cook or entertain.

2. Install a Sink

If your current kitchen layout isn’t working for you, this is a sign it’s time to remodel your kitchen. Adding a sink in the kitchen island may help improve the workflow of your kitchen. That way, it will free up some counter space and make your kitchen island a functional food prep area. It can also be a great place to install a dishwasher.

3. Include Plenty of Storage

One thing a kitchen can always use is more storage! Adding a kitchen island to your kitchen remodel will automatically give you more space for storing any kitchen items you have. This popular kitchen island trend can give you plenty of storage through cabinetry.

Some ideas for storage in a kitchen island include:

• Adding open shelves to the sides
• Including cabinetry along the back
• Using pull-out shelving

Open Shelves

Plus, you can add open shelves to the sides of your island. These open shelves are a great place to store cookbooks or items you or your family need convenient access to, like cups or plates.

Cabinetry Along the Back

You can also add cabinetry to the back of your island. However, this may mean that unless you have an extra-wide island, your cabinets in this area might not be that deep. One benefit of your cabinets not being as deep means easier access to the items you need.

This is one of the things to consider when remodeling a kitchen, and specifically with a kitchen island. What is right for you will depend on the rest of your kitchen design, the storage you have available, and what items you are planning to store in the island.

Pull-Out Shelving

Another way to make the most out of your cabinetry on your kitchen island is to install pull-out shelving in your cabinets. This small kitchen detail that makes a big difference is great if you have deep cabinets. This allows you to easily organize and stack things without needing to rummage around every time you’re looking for a specific pot or baking sheet.

Another kitchen home improvement idea that offers some storage is built-in, pull-out trash and recycling receptacles. This is a great way to keep your trash out of sight and free up some space in your kitchen area.

4. Try a Waterfall Edge Countertop

If you’re looking for a show-stopping feature for your kitchen remodel, why not consider a waterfall edge countertop? This type of countertop works perfectly with a kitchen island and is one of the best ways to update your kitchen.

You can use nearly any material for waterfall countertops, such as marble, quartz, or granite. Butcher block and stainless steel are also practical choices, especially if you do a lot of food prepping. With so many options available, you’re guaranteed to find exactly the right material to fit the vibe and aesthetic of your kitchen.

5. Add Pops of Color

If you’re looking for a way to add a little bit of extra color to your neutral kitchen design, why not take advantage of your kitchen island? Kitchen islands are often the focal point of most kitchens, so adding color here is a great way to make that stand out even more.

There are a few ways to add color to your kitchen island. You can add one of the popular tile trend designs to the back of your kitchen island or pick a colorful countertop. You can also pick a bright or vibrant color for your cabinetry.

If you already have some color in your kitchen, you can still make your kitchen island stand out. Consider painting the cabinetry on your kitchen island either a few shades lighter or darker than your other cabinetry. This will still create a cohesive look, but draw the eyes to the kitchen island.

These are just a few kitchen island ideas to consider for your kitchen remodel. If you’re ready to get started, give Zephyr Thomas a call at (717) 399-4708 to start the conversation and schedule a free quote for your project!