Since the early 2000s, the kitchen island has been a mainstay of kitchen design as the space has evolved into a multi-functional living area. The island serves various purposes, from eating meals to doing homework, serving food, socializing, and lately, working from home.
The best kitchen islands are the ones that meet the needs of your family and your lifestyle. Islands are a focal point of the kitchen and have replaced traditional kitchen tables in many homes, so it only makes sense that it can also be used to infuse some seasonal style and decor!
Find out how to determine the best kitchen island decor for your home based on your design preferences, and how you typically use your kitchen.
WHAT'S YOUR KITCHEN DESIGN VIBE?
Take note of the look of your current kitchen and the rest of your home. Do you gravitate towards a specific design style? Are you constantly pinning designs on your “Dream Kitchen” Pinterest board, saving Instagram posts or dog earring pages from your favourite home decor magazines? Knowing your kitchen design vibe will help you find long-lasting kitchen island decor that you truly love!
/sleek-and-modern-2-image-450w-253h.jpg "Kitchen island style & decor tips for the modern minimalist")
SLEEK AND MODERN
You are the type of person who appreciates minimalism, avoids clutter, and prefers calming, neutral tones. If you love stainless steel appliances, matte finishes, white cabinetry or flat panel cabinetry, subway tile backsplashes, and granite or quartz countertops, then your design style is sleek and modern. Our contemporary PRECIS sink family work beautifully in modern kitchens.
/farmhouse-2-image-450w-253h.jpg "Farnhouse enthusiasts can wind down in this cozy, light blue kitchen island")
FARMHOUSE
The farmhouse aesthetic draws on both traditional elements and down-to-earth comforts. It offers a cozy, homegrown feel while paying tribute to a time when craftsmanship and fine millwork reigned supreme. If you like natural wood islands, butcher block countertops, ornate cabinet moulding, reclaimed wood, rugged textures, and warm colours, then you appreciate a farmhouse design style. Complete the look with a farmhouse sink.
/beach-house-image-450w-253h.jpg "If you love the seaside vibe and tend to use natural materials, opt for a beach house kitchen style")
BEACH HOUSE
If you feel most comfortable surrounded by airy blue hues and lots of natural light, then you probably prefer a beach house vibe. In addition, you’ll see many shades of white, cream, tan, brown and some soft greens. You’re drawn to DIY and anything nautical, and enjoy natural materials like rope, sisal and wicker. Many different sink styles can work with this theme, but using a natural sink material like SILGRANIT in a light colour, will coordinate beautifully with this design style.
/eclectic-3-image-450w-253h.jpg "If you think outside of the box when it comes to design, you most likely have an eclectic style")
ECLECTIC
An eclectic style means you like to mix and match a variety of design styles. You have modern cabinet doors, and open shelving to display your hand-crafted pottery collection. Bright boho chic patterns and colors accent your flooring and textile choices, and quartz countertops provide a neutral backdrop for your crafted wood kitchenware and vintage flower vases.
HOW WILL YOU DECORATE YOUR KITCHEN ISLAND?
Now that you’ve nailed your design vibe, it’s time to decide how to choose the type of kitchen island decor that is right for you and your family.
If your island doesn’t meet your needs, it may be time for some renovations. If you cook and entertain often, installing a secondary bar sink in your island will provide an additional food prep station, or a spot to store and serve drinks. Or perhaps you need seating incorporated into your island or enhanced lighting. Take a moment to think about how you use your kitchen today, and how you would like to use it in the future. Here are some decor ideas to help you bring new life to your kitchen island, based on how you typically use your kitchen:
/set-the-table-image-450w-253h.jpg "A kitchen island can also be used as a dining table")
SET THE TABLE
Are you frequently on the go and use your kitchen island for the occasional quick bite? Do you have a small space and require the island to be the main dining area? Or do you have bar stools and use your kitchen island as a breakfast nook? If so, make your kitchen island feel like a true dining space!
- Add placemats, chargers and dishes
- Swap out decor based on season
- Make it as casual or elevated as you like!
/show-off-your-appliances-image-450w-253h.jpg "You can use a kitchen island to display beautiful appliances")
SHOW OFF YOUR APPLIANCES
Do you have a small kitchen and need to have as much free counter space as possible? Or do you use your island as a catch-all for produce, herbs, cutting boards, spices and utensils? Then use your island as extra storage and show off your best appliances!
- Display a colourful toaster, juicer, or blender that ties in the look of your kitchen
- Turn your kitchen island into a coffee or tea bar with a French press, or tea pot
- Display some of your favourite cookbooks
/self-serve-station-image-450w-253h.jpg "When entretaining, a kitchen island can act as a self-serve food station")
SELF-SERVE STATION
Do you have a busy home, with people filing in and out all the time? Has your kitchen counter turned into a natural gathering place, with people using your kitchen island as a leaner? If so, you likely enjoy entertaining, turning your kitchen island into a self serve station!
- Set out a decorative breakfast tray with fresh flowers and baked goods
- Have cutting boards ready for charcuterie, and a pitcher ready for quick cocktails
- Keep the look monochromatic, let the food steal the show
/cooking-skills-image-450w-253h.jpg "A kitchen island can serve as an additional workstation. Top it off with a statement faucet")
HIGHLIGHT YOUR COOKING SKILLS
If you’re an avid home cook, enjoy cooking in groups, or use the countertop on your kitchen island as your main prep area, then you probably also prefer being within arm’s reach of the sink and faucet. Use your kitchen island decor to highlight your cooking skills!
- Decorate with a vase of handy cooking and prepping utensils
- Add pendant lighting - it will enhance the overall look of your kitchen, and provide the extra light needed to perfect your next cooking creation
- Consider installing a bar / prep sink and a decorative, statement faucet
/work-space-2-image-450w-253h.jpg "Kitchen islands can be used as a place to study, work and help your house members stay organized")
DESIGN AROUND WORK
Do you find yourself using your kitchen island as a makeshift work-from-home office? Are your kids frequently doing their homework there? If so, we recommend decor that helps assist with multiple tasks throughout the day.
- Decorative, washable table runners are practical and ready for anything from quick dinners to messy homework
- Small chalkboards on stands are a trendy way to display messages or to-do lists
- Fruit baskets are decorative and colourful, and encourage healthy snacking during long hours of work or school
/seasonal-image-450w-253h.jpg "A kitchen island can also be used solely for decorative purposes")
DISPLAY SEASONAL ITEMS
Is cooking not your forte? Are you mostly ordering takeout and only looking to intentionally elevate the design appeal of your kitchen? If so, consider decorating with seasonal items based on the style of your kitchen design!
- Sleek and Modern: Fresh, seasonal produce in a modern bowl
- Farmhouse: Freshly cut wildflowers in a vintage vase
- Beach House: A collection of seashells, starfish or coral in a glass vessel
- Eclectic: A variety of greenery and/or herbs in handmade pots
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/top-page-image-image-400w-217h.jpg "Canadian kitchen design trends from the past 30 years")
