Kitchens with a center island
How to design a kitchen with a center island? A guide with practical examples
No matter how spacious your living room is or how comfortable your sofas are, during a dinner party or a social gathering, everyone always ends up gravitating around the stove. In this context, the center island kitchen, complete with matching bar stools, has emerged as the absolute star feature, redesigning the way we experience our homes. But how do you design an island that it is both beautiful and functional?
The island kitchen: a bridge between two worlds
Installed in an open-concept layout, the island plays a fundamental architectural role, replacing traditional walls to separate the kitchen’s work zone from the relaxation area of the living room. Furthermore, with a center island, you can keep everything under control, continuing to roll out pizza dough while entertaining guests, watching a TV show, or keeping an eye on the kids as they play.
Designing a center island: where to start
To ensure the design process goes smoothly, the first question to ask is: what will the island’s primary function be? Will it be a simple extra work surface, or will it also integrate the cooking area and the sink? Take a look at some composition examples!
There is more. The center block is an extraordinary opportunity to maximize storage space: add hidden drawers and open shelving to keep pots and dishes within reach, without having to bend down or struggle to reach the far corners of the kitchen.
Choosing a style for your island kitchen
Since the island is always visible from the sofa, its appearance cannot be left to chance: the goal is to achieve visual harmony with the living room furniture. There are two ways to approach this: play with "mimicry" by echoing the finishes of the equipped wall or bookcase, or focus on contrast to make the island an almost sculptural element.
Remember, the perfect center island kitchen is the one that reflects your personality. Browse our central island kitchen models to find the right inspiration.
