Island Hopping: One of Our Favorite Kitchen Trends

Come island hopping with us this week! Our favorite players may be voted off the island, but the island itself will never be voted away – the kitchen island, that is. It’s one of our favorite kitchen trends. Here are five reasons why we love islands –three functionality considerations and two aesthetic considerations.

FUNCTIONALITY

Storage

When open concept floor plans became a major trend, starting in the 1980s and beyond, the cabinets and storage that were commonplace in enclosed kitchens was lost. That fourth wall, and sometimes third wall, too, meant the work triangle needed to be reconsidered. Islands provide that missing storage component.

Food Prep & Serving

Along with less storage, there was less counterspace, too. So islands became useful for food preparation and serving. In some cases, appliances are situated on the island like cooktops with hoods overhead, microwave oven and/or freezer and refrigerator drawers. Electrical outlets, cleverly hidden, make it easy to use portable appliances like mixers and blenders. Primary or second sinks and dishwashers also may appear in the island, depending on the kitchen layout.

Island often double as buffets for serving meals. Some islands are two levels to provide a separate task area from serving and eating.

Kitchen island in West Roxbury renovation provides storage, seating and an extra sink for food prep across from the range (not shown).

Place to eat

The enclosed, eat-in kitchen fell out of favor in the 1980s as well. If there was room in the floorplan, sometimes there was an area for a table between the kitchen and family room, but often the only other eating area was still the formal dining room. Therefore, islands also became places for an informal nosh, with stools tucked under an overhang. Pretty soon the island became the homework center, bill paying center and a place to gather, while other family members prepare the meal.

DESIGN SENSE

Contrasting Materials

We seem to love our white kitchens, but islands offer an opportunity to shake up the design a bit with contrasting cabinetry color. We can choose surfaces other than what is on the perimeter, like a stone perimeter with a concrete or wood island countertop. Islands with different height levels can use a variety of materials like glass and metal to make an impact. 

Sometimes there is a built-in shelf on the end of the island cabinetry for cookbooks or to display other beloved items. Islands provide an unlimited amount of creativity.

A Rhode Island kitchen features a contrasting painted island with a concrete surface and storage on all four sides with built-in freezer drawers on the end of the island.

Anchoring the Space

While some islands are stationary and permanent, others are on wheels and can be moved. It’s another way to make the space flexible and accommodating. Either way, the island often anchors the entire kitchen with hanging pendants above or recessed lighting, cove ceilings or other special treatments that delineate the island area. Depending on the size of the space and layout, sometimes two separate islands allow for ease of movement and prep versus seating areas.

A large kitchen in Sudbury supports two separate islands with storage, eating areas, and plenty of space for food prep and serving.