Open concept homes are in—especially when being open concept makes a kitchen more inclusive with other areas of the home. Long gone are the days of completely enclosed rooms in a house. A modern home should be beautiful and multifunctional, while feeling inviting, bright, practical, and cohesive.
Kitchen islands are a great way to achieve this. They bridge the gap from one room to another while providing multifunctional purposes.
While the idea of opening up your kitchen may seem wonderful, we also know it can feel daunting. You’ll need to create the right kitchen and island design and make that fit the existing layout of your home. But don’t fret. The Lakeside team is here to help you create the perfect kitchen design, starting with these top island trends.
Trendy Kitchen Island Designs
Incorporating an island in your kitchen brings additional prep space and storage, but it can also add to the overall design of your space and become a multifunctional area of your home. Here are a few ways to utilize your island.
1. Overhang Seating
Extend your island beyond the workspace by adding an overhanging countertop; this allows you to implement an informal seating option for family and friends. Add barstools to the end of your overhanging island to give kids a place to eat in the morning or allow guests to interact while you cook.
2. Double Height Island
A rather common trend is to install an island of two varying heights, typically a shorter workspace that faces the kitchen and a taller eating shelf that faces the rest of the home. This design allows for that desired informal eating connected with the kitchen but also provides a barrier. If you wish to hide the dinner prep or drying dishes that can pile up on a counter but you still want that open concept feel, this is a perfect option.
3. Double Island
Two is better than one, right? Well, many homeowners are starting to believe this even for their kitchen island— or should we say islands. If space permits, double islands can connect two spaces while incorporating a countertop space specifically designated for your kitchen needs and a countertop space allocated for eating and entertaining.
If you’re faced with a lack of space in a tight kitchen but dual islands seem like the perfect fit for your family’s needs, talk with your contractor about a bump-out addition, which could give your home the extra room to make your kitchen perfectly functional.
4. L-Shaped Seating
Islands don’t have to be rectangular. They can and should be designed to fit the exact layout of your space. If your kitchen is L-shaped and you want to maximize your island seating, opt for an L-shaped island that accommodates stools on two sides. The seating will still face one another yet allow for an open concept.
5. Table Extension
Depending on the layout of your kitchen, some homeowners love to extend the length of their island prep space into a table. Half of the island functions normally, with cabinets underneath, and the other half is open, held up by table legs to allow for seating. This can be a great solution for homes that lack space for a dining room or want to incorporate a breakfast area yet don’t have an entirely set-off space.
6. Lower-Level Table
A newer design trend making an appearance comes with the installation of a lower-level eating area instead of a taller one. While many homeowners love the barrier a higher seating area presents, others are opting to put in a “built-on” table extension that sits at a regular dining-table level. In essence, you are creating a table-height portion of an island off of a standard island.
7. Built-In Booth
Instead of connecting a table to the island, consider attaching a built-in booth to the edge of your island. Space permitting, a U-shaped island can be constructed to create the perfect booth directly in the center. This cozy nook atmosphere allows those in the kitchen to be a part of the eating and vice versa.
The Benefits of a Kitchen Designer
In reality, the possibilities surrounding kitchen islands are limitless. The key to a successful kitchen makeover and incorporating a functional island really comes down to creating the perfect design.
Having your home evaluated by a certified interior home contractor can help.
Kitchen remodeling contractors specialize both in the design and construction of your home’s interior. They understand your space from the practical construction side and can therefore create a beautiful design with a functional flow. Whether it comes down to rearranging the kitchen layout, finding the right spot for appliances, or creating a bump-out addition to add more room, an interior home contractor can help you create the perfect solution to fit your home and budget.
Learn more about your kitchen remodeling options in our “Ultimate Guide to Your Professional Kitchen Remodel.“
Incorporating the Kitchen of Your Dreams
You deserve the home of your dreams. And if your current kitchen design doesn’t lend to creating the multifunction space it could be, our team at Lakeside Renovation & Design, can help you achieve a kitchen that does everything you need it to.
We staff an in-house design team that works directly with our craftsmen to create a functional design that flows with the rest of your home while elevating the style of your current space.
If you’re excited about the possibilities your kitchen possesses, contact our team to get a quote.
