When planning Kitchen Island Ideas there are many factors to consider, including the material, the storage, the integrated appliances and others. However, the shape you choose will have the greatest impact on your kitchen’s appearance and functionality.
Kitchen designers and interior designers are no longer choosing rectangular shapes for their kitchen islands. They are now embracing more artistic and sculptural forms. The result is stunning.
Don’t be scared to choose a dynamic island shape, no matter what size it is. It can have a huge visual impact.
Explore our favorite five kitchen island shapes. From small island ideas to how a unique form can influence your seating ideas for kitchen islands.
Jane Powell, a kitchen designer with Roundhouse Kitchens in Richmond (London), is a multi-award winning designer. Jane Powell has been working with Roundhouse Kitchens since 2010. She designs beautiful, bespoke, kitchens with Ben Hawkswell, her colleague.
SILHOUETTE STRONGLY MAKE A STATEMENT
This striking marble island, designed by interior designer Tamsin Johnston, has a strong silhouette that gives it a sculptural look.
She says, “We wanted obscure lines to compliment and offset the traditional joinery.” The clever vein matching gives the illusion that the island was carved out of a single piece. It is actually made of thin stone cuts with mitered corners and steel supports that allow storage.
This kitchen island is a design that combines contrasts in a stunning way. It really makes a statement when it’s placed at the center of the white traditional kitchen.
Melbourne-born Tamsin has a refined and relaxed style. Tamsin studied interior design at London’s Inchbald School of Design, and worked with a Sydney design company for several years before setting up her own Sydney-based firm in 2013.
This is the first book by Australian interior designer Tamsin Johnston, who is known for her modern interiors and for removing outdated styles and trends.
EMBROIDER ROUNDED AND SWEEPING LINS
Consider moving away from rectangular or square islands. The latest interior trends are all about curves.
Sheraton Interiors director Shehryar KH says: “Rounded and sweeping shapes help to break the linear design of kitchen islands.” Curves can soften the space, particularly when combined with pastel colours. It’s more inviting and ideal for socializing. Plus, it’s safer because you won’t hit your hips or children’s heads on sharp corners.
Jane Powell, from Roundhouse, suggests that’shaped island, such as L shaped or deeply curving, can help zone an open plan room, creating clear boundary between cooking and relaxing.
Shehryar is the Director of Sheraton Interiors, a London-based brand that specializes in kitchen design and installation. The company has been family-owned for over 15 years.
Choose a socially acceptable shape
Instead of a linear breakfast counter that runs the entire length of an island consider a shaped, asymmetrical layout. This will connect in a more innovative and engaging manner.
Richard Moore is the design director of Martin Moore. The bar can be curled outwards to create a striking design that allows people to chat with each other rather than standing in a line.
Richard Moore is the design director of the family-run Martin Moore kitchen design company. This brand, which has eight showrooms in the UK, is known for its elegant bespoke kitchens.
EMBRACE A SHAPE TO ESTABLISH CLEARE ZONES
Jayne Everett is the design director at Naked Kitchens. She suggests that you can divide a large island into different zones by varying the depth of your worktop. The thicker breakfast bar hides the messier part of cooking, and protects diners from hot pans and pots.
The best shapes for kitchen islands have both a work and social side.
Take cues from furniture design
Andrew Griffiths conceived of a freestanding, slimline steel-framed island, with raised legs, for this kitchen. The island was designed to look more like furniture, but still provide plenty of storage space and counter space. It also has reeded sliding glass doors that add to its lightness.
Consider a compact, lightweight island for your kitchen design.
The island is simple but still has a lot of character. Its elevated, slim design and stylish details make it a smaller, stylish island that fits into this small kitchen.
