How to Design a Kitchen Island

When did the kitchen island become so popular? This key design element is one of the most requested features of every kitchen remodel because of its beauty, extra storage, versatility during cooking and how it can open up any design. However, islands were not always as popular as they are today.

Kitchen Island History

The kitchen island didn’t become what it is today until the 1930s. Frank Lloyd Wright saw the potential for everyday homeowners to have a better functioning kitchen without having to pay for live-in help, so he started adding islands to his home designs. At the time, this meant stay-at-home Moms could watch their kids while cooking dinner for the family.

Over time, islands have turned into a necessity in kitchen remodels across the country. We use islands for cooking, eating, working, entertaining guests and helping kids do homework. If there was a one-size-fits-all kitchen feature, the island would be it. Now that everyone has seen the benefits of kitchens with islands, it will be hard to go back to closed off kitchen designs.

What is a Kitchen Island Made of?

Unless you’re in the cabinet industry, it’s common to think that kitchen islands come as pre-made designs. Islands are very customizable and can be made to fit your specific needs. Every island from CliqStudios is made from individual moldings, panels and cabinets like sink bases, drawer bases and accessory cabinets.

After you choose storage essentials, your designer will help you decide where to put each cabinet based on the island’s proximity to work zones like the sink and range. Each end cabinet will also need a finished side. The back of the island will require a long finished panel unless you decide to add more cabinet storage on the back or your own decorative paneling. In addition to finished ends and panels, the base cabinets will need toe kick and outside corner molding to cover seams on the back.

These are just some of the cabinets and moldings that can be used to create an island. Follow along to learn more about how to customize your island design.

Countertop Overhangs & Support

Light oak kitchen island with gold hardware and quartzite waterfall countertop

Do you know how much countertop overhang your kitchen needs? Every kitchen island will require different types of overhangs based on whether it’s a workspace or eat-in area. Standard kitchen countertop overhangs are used in work areas where baking and cooking occurs.

This is the overhang you work against while prepping food and it’s used to prevent drips and spills from running down the cabinet fronts. Typically, this area is 1-½" past the cabinet face frame, however, some homeowners choose to do more based on their design preferences.

Overhangs for seating areas get a little more complicated. Although this is based on personal preference, it’s important to use safety precautions as well. The following recommendations are common, but as a best practice, always check with your countertop fabricator for their specific overhang support recommendations before installation.

Unsupported Countertop Overhangs

Light gray shaker kitchen design with large navy blue island and white countertops — Light gray shaker kitchen design with large navy blue island

As a rule, countertop overhangs generally extend around 1/3 the depth of the original size without support. Usually this ranges from 8 – 12". For overhangs past 9 inches, support will be necessary, especially with heavier materials like granite, quartz and concrete countertops.

Supported Countertop Overhangs

Large white shaker kitchen with decorative island and white stone countertops — Large white shaker kitchen with decorative island

On average, most countertop overhangs range from 12 – 18 inches in depth with a variety of support options. Based on current trends, decorative leg posts are most popular because they make the kitchen island look like a tabletop. Other options include metal support brackets, decorative corbels and brackets.

Any time an overhang exceeds 24 inches, decorative post legs will be needed to support the countertop. Overall, the countertop support is your choice. Just make sure you are abiding by the recommendations of your countertop fabricator for safety.

How to Design a Kitchen Island

Designing a kitchen island involves many moving parts and pieces both literally and figuratively. In simple terms, choose the cabinets you want for the island, then select finished panels, moldings and toe kicks for a complete look. From moldings and features to professional design assistance, each of the following tools can help you build your dream island design.

Kitchen Designers

Kitchen designer hand-drafting floor plans on a desk

One of the most essential tools for designing a kitchen island is a designer. Whether that’s through CliqStudios or not, designers are a valuable resource that benefits you in more ways than one. Designers are experts at space planning, kitchen design standards and helping you stay within budget. They know their cabinet lines well and are excited to explore creative ways to achieve your dream design. CliqStudios designers, however, are exceptional at walking even the newest remodelers through their project with ease.

Island Shape

Partner with your designer and choose from almost limitless shapes for your island. Common island shapes are rectangle, semi-circle, diamond and square, but your designer can create any shape you prefer. Sometimes keeping the standard rectangle-shaped island is more functional, so homeowners use the countertops to create different shapes instead. Explore which shape is best for you with your expert designer.

Decorative Moldings & More

Whether your kitchen design is modern or eclectic, there is always room for decorative features on an island. Below are the most common moldings and features used in kitchen island design. These moldings and features cover various needs from disguising seams and transitions to purely decorative needs.

Baseboard Molding

Baseboard molding is commonly used to cover toe kicks and create a furniture look at the bottom of base cabinets. Baseboard can also be used as an accent piece on the top and bottom of custom decorative legs or molding that extends from leg to leg creating a tabletop aesthetic.

Outside Corner Molding

Outside corner molding is used to cover the back corners of the island where the cabinet side and large finished panel meet.

Scribe Molding

Scribe molding is used as a finishing piece to cover uneven lines and seams. The most common location on an island is where the cabinet touches the floor.

Batten Molding

Batten molding is used on the back of kitchen islands to cover the vertical seam where two finished panels meet. Islands longer than 8 feet usually need more than one panel to cover the total length.

Inside Corner

Inside corner molding is also used to cover transitions. This molding is commonly found where the base cabinet toe kick meets the floor to cover unevenness and gapping.

Valances

Valances are decorative features used to create focal points on cabinets. These are commonly used on islands above open shelves connecting two cabinets, or as a decorative toe kick feature.

Light Baffle

Light baffle can be used for multiple functions. Some use this as a small baseboard molding, while others cut it down and create decorative patterns on the cabinet sides.

Quarter Round

Quarter round is the most common option to cover transitions between cabinets and flooring. This can also be used as a decorative feature to cover transitions at the bottom of baseboard molding.

Shoe Molding

Shoe molding is a slightly taller version of quarter round. This molding is also used to cover the transition between cabinets and flooring.

Library Molding

Library molding is a decorative molding that can be used in various places. This can be used to line custom island legs or the connecting molding between legs that creates a tabletop appearance.

Decorative Feet

Decorative feet are typically used for appearance only. In some cases, homeowners will opt to remove toe kicks and use decorative feet for a furniture-style island look.

Shiplap

Shiplap is a farmhouse or modern farmhouse aesthetic created by stacking horizontal boards together. The look is a subtle, but beautiful focal point making it a popular option for islands.

Beadboard

Beadboard is more traditional in style with narrow vertical panels stacked together for an island focal point. This paneling supports cottage, traditional and sometimes transitional designs.

Decorative Doors

White and blue shaker kitchen design with large island — White and blue shaker kitchen design

Decorative doors are popular in dressy kitchens that want extra detail. This door comes in your selected door style to match the rest of the kitchen while creating a furniture look.

Flat Finished Panel

White and black shaker kitchen design with white countertops — White and black shaker kitchen design

Flat-finished panels are the most standard option for any cabinet side. This panel creates a simple and clean finished look. Most cabinet lines have a standard flat finish modification, but some lines offer an optional flush furniture finish upgrade.

Glass Doors

White shaker wall cabinets with glass inserts

Glass doors are a great way to showcase keepsakes or decor within an island. This option can be used on any side of the island with the ends and back side being most popular for display.

Popular Kitchen Island Upgrades

When it comes to kitchen island storage, upgrades are plentiful. The only limitation is the size of your island. Now that you know what upgrades can be done to improve the visual appearance of an island, let’s talk about functional options. Most homeowners adding an island to their kitchen are looking for extra storage and workspace for food preparation, cooking and entertaining, so let’s make the most of it.

Built-in Base Microwave

White shaker kitchen with built-in microwave — White shaker farmhouse kitchen design

Islands are a great place to hide microwaves and make the kitchen more aesthetically pleasing. Microwave drawers are popular for their ergonomic design and sleek appearance.

Open Shelving

Two-tone kitchen with base open shelfing for cookbooks and decor — Two-tone kitchen with base open shelfing

Display your prized decor or your favorite cookbooks with open shelves. This option is very versatile and makes it easy to switch out decor and baskets as you please.

Warming Drawers

White shaker kitchen with stacked glass cabinets and wall oven with warming drawer — White shaker kitchen with stacked glass cabinets

Add more function and convenience to your kitchen island with warming drawers. This appliance will keep traffic out of main work areas in the kitchen and keep everyone happy with its ability to keep food warm.

Refrigerator Drawer

Perfect for kids’ cold snacks and drinks, beverage coolers provide accessible kitchen space for little ones. Add fruit juice and applesauce pouches galore while keeping kids out of the workspace.

Deep Drawer Storage

Customize your deep drawer storage with multi-storage dividers or leave it open for pots and pans. This upgrade is a great solution for aging in place and flexible based on individual needs.

Pull-Out Trash

White shaker base cabinet with pull-out waste basket — Pull-out waste basket cabinet

Get rid of food scraps in an instant with pull-out trash cabinets. Add one or two trash cans to your island to improve efficiency during food preparation and cooking.

Cutlery Divider

Thinking about adding a dishwasher to your island? Add a cutlery divider for even faster unloading and easy-to-reach silverware during events.

Pull-Out Spice

Every kitchen island deserves dedicated space for spices and cooking oils. Use a pull-out spice cabinet to organize your ingredients and keep them within arm's reach.

Pull-out spice cabinet

Blue shaker roll-out tray base cabinet — Roll-out tray base cabinet

Roll-out trays are considered classic kitchen organization. Trays can be added individually to each shelf based on your specific needs.

Wine Storage

White shaker island with two wine cubes and glass door base cabinets — White shaker island with two wine cubes

Wine cubes or cubbies are both beautiful and functional. These petite cabinets can typically store 5 – 20 wine bottles.

Sink Base Cabinet

Consider adding a sink base to the island for the ultimate work surface. Whether it’s the main sink or secondary sink, this feature will add convenience to any kitchen island.

Pots and Pans Organizer

Base pots and pans pull-out organizer in cream raised panel cabinets — Base pots and pans pull-out organizer

Organize your pans more efficiently with the pull-out pots and pans organizer. Designed specifically for cookware, this cabinet accessory effortlessly organizes your most tricky items.

Two-Tone Kitchen Island Design Ideas

Color has a big impact on any kitchen design. Since the kitchen island craze started a few decades ago, color has been used to brighten designs, create a moody look or elevate the kitchen design in a new way. Many designers and customers alike use a different color on the kitchen island than the other cabinetry.

Other designs use a darker tone for all base cabinets and island cabinets then use a lighter color on wall cabinets to bring the eye up towards a focal point. As you can see, there are endless ways to alter the way your kitchen is viewed. Look at the slider below to see how different colors impact the feel of a kitchen.

You will notice white and gray kitchens create a bright and clean look while white and black kitchens look more upscale. Likewise, cream-colored cabinets and wood-tone islands give a lived-in, comfortable look. See what you like best and take note of your preferences and discuss it with your kitchen designer.

White inset shaker cabinet kitchen design with stacked glass cabinets and a gray wood stained island

White and black shaker kitchen design with black wood hood and island with white quartz countertops

Furniture-style cream inset kitchen cabinet design with a warm wood-toned island

White beachy shaker kitchen design with wood floating shelves and navy blue island cabinets

Mid-Century Modern kitchen design with slab door cabinets in white and a warm wood-toned island

Elevated gray shaker kitchen design with large navy blue kitchen island and white quartz countertops

Light gray shaker kitchen design with dark gray-brown stained kitchen island and quartz countertops

Light gray shaker kitchen with dark wood stained island and white marble-like countertops

Ready to design your own kitchen island? Connect with a kitchen designer today to get started!