12 Best Island Countertop Ideas To Spruce Up Your Kitchen

An idea which is part of many people’s dream kitchen is the perfect kitchen island. These have been popular for years now, but they never seem to go out of style. They are the perfect blend of utility and aesthetic appeal in a kitchen, and if you have one, it is something you almost never regret.

However, coming up with the perfect kitchen island for you can be a struggle. Partially because finding one that fits the space can be difficult, but also there is just so much choice when it comes to all the options that are available.

You could go for one of the more classic options, but end up with a kitchen island that is a little standard, or go for something a little more modern or unique and risk the island feeling a little dated in a few years.

Because of all the potential issues and benefits associated with different kitchen islands, we have put this list together to give you some inspiration when it comes to choosing the best kitchen island.

So, if you want to have a kitchen island, but you are unsure what the best one for you will be, keep reading to get some great inspiration.

At the end, we’ll share some tips to get the most out of the process of getting your kitchen island ready to go!

Table of Contents

Mix Materials

One of the strongest pieces of advice we can give when it comes to choosing which direction you want to go with for your kitchen island is to not be afraid to mix materials. Mixing materials is a good way to give the space and the island itself more depth without sticking out too much.

There are numerous combinations you can go with, and you can make this match the rest of the kitchen, or just incorporate elements of it. We prefer the latter as it is a good way to make the kitchen island cohesive with the space, while also drawing focus!

Color Means Character

When it comes to decorating a kitchen, a modern trend which we really do not love is completely shying away from color.

While these more bland minimalist kitchens are in fashion now, they will not be forever, and soon they will just look a little boring and you will want to redecorate, so when it comes to the focal point of the kitchen, your island, we recommend using color to bring the kitchen to life and add some amazing character to the space.

Of course, pick something which you love, and decorate how you want to, but avoiding any color can lead to some sad results.

Extend

When it comes to kitchen islands, people often assume that you can only have them be a solid space in the middle of the kitchen, but this is not further from the truth and you can get some amazing utility out of the space by strategically using extensions with your island.

You could use an extension to create a bar area, or as a perfect area to store seating, the possibilities are endless. The main drawback you should consider is that this does slightly limit the space and means it has to be committed to this role, but keep it in mind.

Wood Means Warmth

When looking for materials to use in your kitchen island, it is sometimes easy to overlook how amazing wood can look with how many other options are available.

However, we love how much warmth wood brings to a space and how it can add some amazing depth to a space that could feel flat. While having a completely wooden island can be a little overwhelming and only fits certain looks, wooden accents are a lot easier to fit into different spaces.

We recommend looking at wooden accents on your island to try different approaches.

Marble

One material that we think looks amazing when you utilize it alongside wood is marble. Of course this is not the only way you can use marble, and it works amazingly in plenty of different scenarios.

You also have the option of a variety of cheaper faux marble textures, however, when doing this you want to ensure that you are getting a quality product that will not age quickly since an island is not something you want to show wear easily since these are very often high traffic surfaces, so durability is key!

Metal

If you want to take a more unique approach when designing your kitchen islands, then we recommend using metal. While this has an obvious aesthetic appeal that works with more kitchen designs than you might initially consider, it is also one of the more practical options as well!

This surface is super easy to clean making it perfect for food preparation, and you do not have to worry about it staining as well. If you do not want to commit to a completely metal countertop, you could also just have a partially metal island!

Statement Countertop

If you really want to highlight the kitchen island as the centerpiece of your kitchen, then we recommend treating it like the statement piece it can be.

There are of course plenty of different ways you can do this, whether it is a unique or eye-catching material, or a unique feature, there are plenty of ways to make a statement with your kitchen island.

Of course, you do not have to make it clash with the rest of your kitchen, and it can still be a statement piece without having to clash, so keep this in mind!

Limestone

A classic choice when making a kitchen island is limestone, and this is not popular for no reason. We absolutely love how this material looks, and it is a perfect material to have feature in your kitchen!

There are so many options with how you want to use this material, so feel free to try whatever you want. We love having a limestone kitchen island in a kitchen that features limestone elsewhere as this is a great simple way to draw the room together!

Zoned Space

When making your kitchen island you can use it in a way that intermingles with the rest of your kitchen or living space with zoned spaces. Using your kitchen island as a way of breaking up your room is often not taken advantage of, and we feel like this is a waste.

While of course it is instinct to want to just have the island in the center of the room, there are plenty of different approaches to take, and you can utilize the kitchen island to bring together different elements of the room!

Concrete

Another material option that we love using for kitchen islands that is often overlooked is concrete. A lot of homeowners assume that concrete only really works with a very specific aesthetic, however, there are plenty of different looks this materials can work with, especially if you know how to style it.

Concrete is also pretty easy to clean and is great to have in space that are used for food preparation!

Tiles For Texture

Another way to draw more focus to your kitchen island without making the space too loud is to use a tiled surface. This of course draws a lot of attention and you want to make sure this fits the space, however, if it does work, it is one of our favorite ideas for a kitchen island.

There are also plenty of different ways to approach this way of doing your kitchen island, so do not feel limited. One way to add color without it being overpowering is to use a unique grout color when working with these tiles, so do not be afraid to try something different!

Match With Worktops

This might seem to be a little simple, but if you are looking for your space to be a little more cohesive, we recommend matching your kitchen island with your worktops to help the space blend a little better.

It is worth noting that this only really works with certain mediums and with others it can be a little overwhelming so keep this in mind.

We would also recommend avoiding this if the same medium is being used in other areas too much, but as mentioned, it depends on the aesthetic you are going for, but it can be incredibly effective when done well!

Tips as you look at redoing your kitchen island countertops

When choosing a countertop, it’s important to consider your existing kitchen design. The countertop should complement the style, colors, and materials of your cabinets, flooring, and backsplash.
Choose a design that is functional and meets your needs. Consider how you will use the countertop and choose a design that enhances your overall kitchen design while also being practical.
Select a durable material that can withstand wear and tear. Granite, quartz, and marble are popular choices for their durability and low maintenance.
Remember to consider the aesthetic of the redesigned space. The island countertop should fulfill you in some way, whether that means adding visual interest, reflecting your personal style, or meeting your functional needs.

Summary

Hopefully, this guide has given you some useful insight when it comes to inspiration for a kitchen island. There are plenty of different routes you can go, and these will all give your kitchen island a unique feel.

If you are struggling to stick with just one idea, we recommend consulting friends, family, or a professional who can look at your space and give opinions on what they think will suit you best, and what they think about your preferences to help you come to a decision.

One thing you do not want to do with a kitchen island is to rush, so ensure that you are confident in your decision and will not regret it!