One way to avoid a generic look is to be creative with kitchen island variations.
There’s nothing wrong with the default rectangle or square islands we’re accustomed to seeing in kitchens. But creating kitchen variations can raise any kitchen to a unique and memorable status. One of the most distinctive kitchen island shapes is designer Bill Litchfield’s long oval carousel [top and below]. At first, I though the entire thing was on casters and imagined it might revolve! Then I realized it looked that way because the legs of the table sit on a footed platform instead of directly on the floor.
Clearly, someone wanted space to stow the low stools, which this arrangement provides. Yet the presence of the plinth makes me wonder how comfortable it is to try to sit on a while actually using the table and whether it’s necessary, when seated, to lean forward?
This is the first I’ve seen of a small, circular open island in an antique style. While that seems a bit too divorced from the look of the perimeter cabinets, the shape offers maximum mobility and provides a good deal of storage – all within view. The eating bar to the left is clearly the spot to sit down. But this island-in-the-round is a clever solution for a working space or stand-up gathering space, as well as a surprisingly practical one.
Interior storage floating in the grid is a great idea on this island. Had I designed it, I would have included a pot shelf around the bottom instead of open posts so at least tall items could be placed below. The pull-out looks to be a garbage bin with a cutting board just above. Since it’s not on the working side of the kitchen, the likely use is prep station or landing spot clearing plates. Other special features here include the dutch door, handsome range niche with a gracefully arced vent hood cover, and the hint of a second island.
An industrial steel wagon turned into the base of an island is just our cup of tea here at Atticmag. This kitchen island variation is similar in concept to the steel buoy work table Allison found last fall. What I like about this one is the raised top that might permit the inside of the wagon to be used somehow. Matching it up with an industrial pendant light helps give an edge to a white kitchen that otherwise could be looking a little dated.
In a tiny country-style kitchen with a mustard-colored Aga that manages to match the color of the reclaimed pumpkin pine wide-plank floor, vintage industrial wood and cast iron table salvaged on a roadside adds considerable personality in addition to working well either as an island or as a table.
Antique butcher’s block with crenolated aprons always make me drool, especially in distressed green paint. This island reminds me of the French pastry table kitchen, too.
A rough-hewn island/work table on wheels also can double as a serving cart. What makes this one unique is the way it is integrated into the dark and dramatic look of this kitchen which has a certain slickness but upon close examination a real DIY quality as well.
For this kitchen island in the home of Canadian designer Ingrid Oomen, a pair of dining room table bases were repurposed. In a video, Ms. Oomen explains how the curvy lines of the bases helped keep the space looking open and the room looking larger than it is. The video also gives additional views of several unique aspects of a kitchen with a superabundance of charm.
(Sources: litchfielddesigns, lonny, desdemyventana, desiretoinspire, coastalliving, southernliving , thewhitehousedaylesford, house&home)
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How fun to see the variety of creative ideas. Why be boring when there is every opportunity to have something unique. Some of these are just fabulous. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Liz
Great ideas! I would love to incorporate a creative island alternative when we redo our kitchen. I don’t have near enough storage space so I’m not sure…will have to get my thinking cap on!
Happy Monday!
If only I had the room! – the black rough-hewn island had me twitching for my chop-saw.
Steady hand with a SawzAll and some old 2 x 4s plus 4 wheels from Home Depot looks like all that’s needed for that island. Leftover black paint. Nice for a change that it wouldn’t cost the earth.
Some I love (the round one!), and some, not so much. But I like the idea of an interesting island vs the average. I’m trying to think of something different in an island for the kitchen space in our above-garage bonus area that the newlyweds will use for awhile.
That round island has me positively drooling!