If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, chances are an island is on your wishlist. Though islands have been a staple in kitchen design for decades, cabinet makers have continually refined them with innovative features that seamlessly blend function and style.
Before we plan your kitchen island, we start by understanding your family’s routine: How do you see the space being used day to day? Will it serve as a prep station, a cooking hub, a spot for casual dining or homework, a place to store essentials, or a space for gatherings? With this fuller picture, we can design the island to fit your life—not the other way around. After all, a kitchen island can be so much more than just extra counter space… it can become the heart of your home.
To help you envision the possibilities, here’s a look at some of the elements we’ve included in the islands we’ve designed for our customers:
English Cottage Kitchen
This custom island, inspired by an antique dairy table, brings classic, heirloom charm to the cottage kitchen with its turned legs and warm wood tones. The homeowners wanted an island that was both beautiful and functional for everyday life. Because the cabinetry doesn’t extend to the floor like most islands, the electrical lines couldn’t be hidden in the usual way. To solve this, they pass through a stylish brass floor plate and connect to a discreet outlet tucked under the countertop.
Now, the family can plug in a laptop or power small kitchen appliances without disrupting the island’s clean, classic lines. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference — keeping the space as practical as it is beautiful.
On the opposite side, deep drawers give the homeowners plenty of room for pots, pans, and glass storage containers. A secondary rollout tier inside each drawer keeps the lids neatly organized and easy to grab, making it simple to find exactly what they need.
To ensure potholders and dish towels are within easy reach of the sink and range, we installed an integrated brass rod that adds function without interrupting the cottage-style charm. >>>
Cottage Fresh Kitchen & Transitional Kitchen with Brick Accents
In these kitchen islands, we incorporated built-in bookcases that offer everyday convenience with a polished, finished touch. They provide space for cookbooks, mixing bowls, decorative accents, and other essentials, keeping items close at hand while cooking. The open shelving adds visual interest, transforming the islands into not just functional workspaces, but also lovely display areas that elevate the overall kitchen design.
Function takes center stage in this island, which houses the kitchen’s main sink, dishwasher, and generous storage. With seating already available in the breakfast nook and dining room, there was no need to include bar seating here which left extra space for organization. A custom charging drawer above the bookcase keeps devices handy yet out of sight, ensuring the countertops stay clear and clutter-free.
In this remodel, the cooktop stayed in its original island placement, preserving a layout the homeowners already loved. This design streamlines the work triangle, keeping the range, sink and fridge grouped for smooth workflow and efficiency.
Modern Farmhouse Kitchen
In this modern farmhouse kitchen, the wooden island cabinetry sets the stage for the home’s style while anchoring the entire space. It provides visual definition between the kitchen and living area in the open great room.
Designed for both gathering and workflow, it offers generous seating along one side, while the food prep side is equipped with a built-in microwave drawer and abundant drawer storage to keep cooking essentials close at hand.
New England-Inspired Kitchen
Packed with creative conveniences, this island was designed for both cooking and entertaining. A prep sink makes rinsing produce and tackling meal prep easy without interrupting the main sink, while a built-in curved banquette provides a comfortable spot for in-kitchen dining or conversation with the cook. To top it off, an integrated beverage fridge on the perimeter keeps drinks within easy reach, letting guests help themselves without stepping into the main workflow of the kitchen.
Navy Blue and Maple Kitchen
Designed for a family who loves entertaining, this island combines ample storage, seating, and a built-in sink and dishwasher to keep the cook connected to the living space while making cleanup easy. At the far end, a clever pet feeding station, crafted from a countertop remnant, gives the family dog a dedicated mealtime nook tucked neatly out of the kitchen’s traffic flow.
European Farmhouse Kitchen
This island features wraparound seating that lets everyone sit face-to-face, making meals and snack time a moment to connect and chat. Its proximity to the adjoining dining room maximizes seating so the whole family can gather comfortably during holiday celebrations.
Because we designed this island for an avid baker, one end features a hidden, roll-out baking counter that sits slightly lower than the main countertop and is finished with butcher block; ideal for rolling out the perfect pie crust. The cabinets below provide convenient storage for pie plates, mixing bowls, and other baking essentials like cookie sheets.
The island also includes a microwave drawer, freeing up space elsewhere in the kitchen for prep and storage.
Beyond these features, a kitchen island can include warming drawers, wine storage, multi-level counters, or dedicated compartments for trays and serving pieces. Thoughtfully designed, it becomes a versatile focal point tailored to your family’s lifestyle, workflow, and entertaining needs.
We hope these ideas spark inspiration as you envision your own kitchen remodel.