46 Gorgeous Kitchen Islands Brimming with Style and Practicality

Christopher Peacock prioritized entertaining in this Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas with a pair of inviting islands: The hardworking one nearest the range offers an expansive charcoal quartz prep space, while its counterpart becomes a sociable chef’s table, complete with an inset beverage cooler that ensures wine glasses never run low. The seagrass barstools (Serena & Lily) welcome guests at the quartz-topped island (Cambria). Cabinetry, Christopher Peacock Home. Draperies and shades, The Shade Store. Sink fixtures, Kohler.

A channel-tufted breakfast banquette backs up to a cleverly curved kitchen island in this Birmingham, Alabama home designed by Hundley Hilton Interiors. The banquette leather and mohair stool fabric are by Kravet, and the range is by Wolf.

In this garden-facing haven in Los Angeles designed by Brooke and Steve Giannetti, an expansive white oak and Calacatta marble island pairs with custom stools fitted with linen slipcovers. The reproduction lanterns are by South of Market, and the sink fixtures are by Waterworks.

The moody kitchen island of this lakeside Michigan vacation cabin designed by Amy Meier is painted Salamander by Benjamin Moore. The Belgium Blue Stone tiles are by Country Floors, and the stools are by Bicyclette.

“Lots of light and views” were the cornerstones of the kitchen’s design, says architect Gil Schafer, with the island countertop crafted of pippy oak. It’s showcased in a 19th-century farmhouse for a family of six on Block Island in Rhode Island. The range is by Wolf.

Gray-green cabinetry (Treron by Farrow & Ball) brings contrast to the knotty wood paneling in the kitchen of this colorful and warm Sun Valley, Idaho, cabin designed by Mark D. Sikes.

Decorator Mary McDonald relied on a fresh coat of white paint and a mix of antiques to give this Pebble Beach château a French country vibe. In the remodeled kitchen, a Carrara marble island draws all sorts of guests to gather. The polished nickel pendants are by Visual Comfort.

In his San Miguel kitchen filled with exquisite tilework and hand-painted borders, designer Jeffry Weisman opted for a more understated kitchen island to keep the attention on the artisanal touches. The flooring is hand-burnished, local terra-cotta.

Designer Dan Fink transformed a humble 1970s cottage in Napa Valley into a mellow retreat for a pair of young tech executives. The expansive kitchen island—made of Brazilian soapstone—makes for a delightful place to eat breakfast and take phone calls. The cerused white oak cabinetry features bronze hardware (Rocky Mountain Hardware).

Addison Mizner–inspired beams and hand-forged iron bell-jar lighting (Formations) bring shimmering tilework (Mosaic House) and lengthy island down to scale in this Sea Island kitchen by Sara Gilbane. The countertops are by Caesarstone.

A glossy, all-white island and subway tile backsplash illuminate the checkerboard flooring and a geo-floral seating fabric (Raoul) in this Ashley Whittaker-designed Connecticut kitchen. Overhead are striking blue pendant lights from Charles Edwards.

A departure from the traditional island, design Todd Romano turned an antique, ebony table (The Antique and Artisan Gallery) into a kitchen centerpiece at his San Antonio home. The custom Talavera tiles are arranged in a graphic chevron pattern with glossy cabinetry (Black, Fine Paints of Europe).

A plated-steel prep counter extends off the sink in architect Ken Pursley's Charlotte home to divide the kitchen from the den. The large working pantry through a glass-and-vinyl-clad pivot door acts as a "backstage" for cleaning tasks.

Since her family loves gathering in the kitchen, the owner of this Alabama country house leaned into the idea of having the open cook space right in the center of the home. The Colorado gold marble island dresses up the white oak cabinetry. The range is by Wolf.

Crisp aqua on the cabinetry and island awaken up the sleepy, ground-floor kitchen of this storybook London rowhouse designed by Gary McBournie. White countertops (Caesarstone) balances the bursts of color throughout the kitchen and adjoining breakfast room.

While designer Philip Gorrivan sought to preserve as much as he could of this 270-year-old Connecticut house, the designer did take creative liberties in certain rooms. For example, the kitchen features more modern details including a maple butcher block, honed granite counters, and a Moroccan tile backsplash (Exquisite Surfaces).

The stainless steel countertop of this gracious Alabama kitchen by Caroline Gidiere ensures a connection between satin nickel hardware seen throughout the space and the appliances. The dark cabinetry (Off-Black by Farrow & Ball) makes the expansive space feel cozier and connected to the neighboring den.

For a couple who loves to entertain, designer Cliff Fong needed to ensure the kitchen of their Lake Toxaway lodge balanced comfort with fun. The custom-colored center island is fitted with Juno limestone counters to match the backsplash, creating a cohesive yet chic look. Fong commissioned local craftsmen to create cabinetry inspired by famed woodworker George Nakashima.

Alvar Aalto's bent birch stools act as modern foils for a collection of copper cookware, 19th-century Portuguese tilework (Solar Tiles), and an elegant white kitchen island in this Connecticut estate by David Netto. The dual-fuel range is by Wolf.

Reclaimed brick flooring, oak countertops, and a rustic wooden kitchen island bring a sense of soul into this California ranch kitchen by designer Ken Fulk. White ceiling-height wall tiles in alternating dimensions (Waterworks) add contrast to the host of darker materials.