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8 Amazing Kitchens with Islands
What does your dream kitchen look like? If you’re like most of us, you want space, function, and of course, beautiful design.
Looking for a little inspiration? Below, take a look at 8 awesome kitchen designs — all large, open-concept with beautiful (and ample) island installations.
Hopefully, these designs will inspire your own new kitchen dreams.
1. Dazzling Contemporary
(Credit: Easy Home Tips)
The lighter beiges create a wonderfully open feeling throughout this kitchen. Speaking of open, the very large island seats 6 comfortably — horizontally! The lighting features help make this design really pop.
2. The Comfy Casual
(Credit: studio52)
The white counters and cabinets strike a great balance between form and function. The stool seating gives plenty of room while keeping that calm, casual vibe to the kitchen. And the high ceiling with recessed lighting only makes the experience feel even more open.
3. Intimate and Functional
(Credit: GLAMINATI Inspiration for Modern and Beautiful Women)
Want to create an intimate-yet-functional setting in your own home? Consider installing a peninsula-style booth in your kitchen. The seating offers a very personal, face-to-face style. And the 3-sided island is a great counter space for easy serving and decorating.
This is a perfect way to take advantage of your open concept design for parties or get-togethers.
Dark and Bright
(Credit: Steve Eric)
This kitchen design really pops thanks to the dark-versus-light juxtaposition. The dark floors create a delightful canvas for the windowed, white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. The large, white counter island also offers a classy sense of elegance with lots of room for eating and cooking. This comes together for a ‘full package’ of form and function.
5. Space-Maximizer
(Credit: GLAMINATI Inspiration for Modern and Beautiful Women)
Sometimes, space is a commodity in a house. You want to have the functional, open kitchen that really shines. But you might not have a lot of spare footage to spare.
Why not achieve both and get the best bang for your buck?
A 2-sided island bench provides lots of extra counter space with built-in seating. This design also features a pull-out bench for more seating when you need it (and more room when you don’t). Don’t settle for a cramped kitchen — open it up with intuitive, efficient design choices.
6. Alternative Island Shapes
(Credit: Stellar Homes LLC)
Another effective space-saver is to rethink your island altogether. Why should you feel forced into a square or rectangle shape for an island? Why not change it up?
This design creates a cornered look while keeping dining space all across the length of the counter. A recessed sink and counter area allows for easy cooking while your family and friends hang out right alongside you.
7. Kitchen and Dining Synthesis
(Credit: Homystyle)
Today’s open concept models allow you to do so much with your wide open spaces. Why should you limit your space with a dining room when you don’t have to?
This contemporary design pops with the dark brown hardwoods that flow up into the white upholstery and counters/cabinets. With seating up to 8 on 3 sides of the island, you can bring everyone in for dinner — right as it’s being made. Best of all, you can use your dining room space for something more functional like a rec room or an office.
8. Retro Function
(Credit: The Kitchen Vibe)
Who says retro has to be all about style with no function?
This design is clearly influenced by kitchens of years past with its light flooring, beige countertops, curved stools and wood grain cabinetry. But the stone backsplash and stainless steel appliances bring it into the contemporary age.
The long design gives you lots of storage and all sorts of room to work and eat. The gas stove with hood on the edge of the island provides an efficient spot for prepping larger meals, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
We Have The Answers You're Looking For
A well-designed kitchen island brings together the three things most people want in a kitchen: space, function, and beautiful design. In an open-concept layout, the island becomes a natural gathering point for cooking and entertaining. It adds valuable counter space and seating in one central spot. Done well, it can be the centerpiece of the whole kitchen.
A generously sized island can seat around six people comfortably. In one open, contemporary design, lighter beige tones and ample seating create a wonderfully open feeling. Pairing that scale with the right lighting helps the whole space feel inviting. A large island turns the kitchen into a place people naturally want to gather.
Lighting has a big impact on how a kitchen island looks and feels. Statement lighting features can make a design really pop, while recessed lighting paired with a high ceiling adds to an open, airy feel. The right fixtures highlight the island as a focal point. Thoughtful lighting is often what elevates the whole kitchen.
Light, neutral palettes tend to create the most open feeling in a kitchen. White counters and cabinets strike a nice balance between form and function while keeping the space calm. Lighter beiges have a similar effect, making the room feel larger and brighter. These tones are a reliable foundation for an inviting kitchen.
A peninsula-style booth pairs an island with built-in bench seating for an intimate, face-to-face setting. A three-sided island design offers great counter space for serving and decorating. This layout creates a personal, functional spot that works well for parties and get-togethers. It is a smart way to take advantage of an open-concept kitchen.
Pairing dark and light elements gives a kitchen a striking, elegant look. Dark floors create a canvas that makes white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances stand out. A large white island adds a sense of class along with plenty of room for cooking and eating. The contrast delivers both visual impact and everyday function.
When square footage is limited, a smart island design lets you have an open kitchen without waste. A two-sided island bench provides extra counter space with built-in seating, and a pull-out bench adds more seating only when you need it. This approach keeps the kitchen efficient and uncluttered. You do not have to settle for a cramped layout.
Not at all. Rethinking the island's shape can open up new possibilities and save space. A cornered design, for example, keeps dining space along the length of the counter while a recessed sink and prep area let family and friends gather nearby. Choosing a shape that fits your room can make the kitchen work harder for you.
An island naturally invites people to gather while you cook. With seating and generous counter space, it lets guests stay involved and comfortable during a meal or a party. In an open-concept home, that connection between the kitchen and living areas is part of the appeal. The island becomes the social heart of the space.
Yes. Thomas Homes creates custom kitchens in its luxury South Florida builds, with details ranging from waterfall edges to custom cabinetry. The team can design an island tailored to your space, style, and the way you like to cook and entertain. If you are dreaming of a standout kitchen, call 954-210-9797 to discuss your project and request a quote.