The kitchen island can be a homework space, a catch-all, or a place to spread out ingredients. Here are a few kitchen island decor ideas for when you want to showcase the hub of the kitchen.
Barstools: Cline by Pottery Barn / Island paint: Benjamin Moore Castle Walls / Island Pendant lights / Countertops: Intrepid by Spectrum Quartz
This is my first kitchen to have an island! It’s been a long-time dream to have a kitchen big enough for one, and ours really is the hub of our first floor. Everyone told us once we got an island we’d never use our dining table again – and they were right! We eat, work, and gather around the island every day.
Islands are great for so many reasons including adding work square footage, storage space underneath, and often act as the visual front and center of the kitchen. Some have sinks or stovetops, some have a split level between bar and counter height, and others like ours are one giant open slab.
To help break up that counter space, I have a simple kitchen island centerpiece with some dried lavender in a vintage vase and a Grow candle both contained in a gold tray. The island centerpiece is a great way to change up your seasonal decor. To me, there is a fine balance between having something there for a nice decor touch and having too much that gets in the way or appears cluttered.
Here is a round-up of ways to style your kitchen island that can help inject personality and style to your kitchen island no matter how busy the kitchen gets!
10 Kitchen Island Decor Ideas
1. Minimalist & Modern
Style: Sleek and uncluttered, for the everyday
Items Used: A simple bowl or tray, a candle, a few geometric decorative pieces, a small plant.
Description: Keep it minimal with a sleek bowl filled with fresh fruit or a decorative geometric piece. Add a small plant or succulent for a touch of greenery. I love a candle, too!
Functionality: The items are easy to see over and move and keep the island’s surface clear for preparation.
2. Coastal
Style: Relaxed with a nautical feel, perfect for those who love the ocean or want to create a calming atmosphere.
Items Used: Driftwood or natural wood, a woven placemat, seashell, ceramics.
Description: Decorate with items that evoke the natural elements of the shore, such as sea shells and driftwood. Use a woven placemat as a base and add ocean spray candles.
Functionality: These items are light and can be easily rearranged.
3. Elegant Entertaining
Style: Sophisticated and classy, switch it up for special occasions (e.g., holidays, dinner parties)
Items Used: A marble or glass tray, a tall vase with a floral arrangement, candlesticks
Description: Use a marble or glass tray as a base for an elegant display. Arrange a selection of gourmet cheeses and crackers, and place wine glasses with a small floral arrangement for an upscale touch.
Functionality: Tall and elegant creates a statement piece with a sleek look that doesn’t feel cluttered.
4. Farmhouse Chic
Style: Rustic and charming, farmhouse decor combines practicality with charm and a warm and inviting kitchen space.
Items Used: A wooden crate, mason jars with utensils, a pitcher, fresh flowers, cloth napkins
Description: Use a wooden crate to hold mason jars filled with cooking utensils or cutlery. Fresh flowers in a simple vase or in a rustic pitcher complete the look. Use cloth napkins to soften. Anchor them with a small candle or wooden spoon.
Functionality: The crate and mason jars keep utensils handy along with easy access to napkins.
5. Fruits and Veggies
Style: Vibrant and healthy, this setup celebrates the bounty of the season and encourages healthy eating with a colorful, functional display. Think apples in the fall, peaches in the summer, citrus in the winter.
Items Used: A rotating fruit bowl, colorful bowls with fresh vegetables, a simple serving tray
Description: Use a rotating fruit bowl to display a variety of seasonal fruits. Arrange colorful bowls with fresh vegetables or herbs in vases on a serving tray.
Functionality: The rotating bowl makes it easy to access different fruits, and the tray can be moved when needed.
Seasonal Ideas
6. Spring Flowers
Style: Fresh and floral, the combination of fresh flowers and herbs brightens up the colors of a blank kitchen and brings in a sense of nature.
Items Used: Small potted herbs or herbs in jars of water, a vase of fresh flowers, a wooden cutting board, pastel cloth napkins
Description: Add a vase of seasonal flowers, such as tulips or daffodils, for a pop of color. Place a wooden cutting board with a seasonal candle or fruits and pastel-colored napkins for a light and airy feel.
Functionality: Herbs are a great way to add greenery and keep them easy to reach when preparing food. Decorating with cutting boards and cloth napkins also keeps them within reach.
7. Summer Citrus
Style: Bright and vibrant color scheme
Items Used: Assorted fruits or berries, a colorful bowl or tray, a few tropical leaves, bright colorful flowers
Description: Arrange a variety of summer fruits such peaches, plums, lemons, and limes in a large bowl or on a decorative tray. Add a few tropical leaves for a touch of summer flair. The bright colors and fresh fruits give the island a cheerful, summery vibe that’s perfect for entertaining or just enjoying a sunny day.
Functionality: The fruits are both decorative and functional, perfect for snacking or adding to recipes.
8. Autumn Harvest
Style: Cozy and rustic harvest
Items Used: Pumpkins (real or faux), a wooden tray, candles, a woven basket, apples, pears
Description: Decorate your island with a collection of small pumpkins and gourds. Arrange them on a wooden tray and add a few candles in fall colors like deep orange or brown. Use a woven basket to hold apples and pears.
Functionality: Pumpkins and candles can be moved when needed, and the basket of apples adds both decor and a snack.
9. Winter Wonderland
Style: Elegant and frosty, red and green berries and greenery
Items Used: Silver, blue, and white decorative accents, snowflakes (real or faux), a crystal vase, evergreen sprigs, rosemary
Description: Use silver or white decor items to create a wintry look. Add faux snowflakes or a snowy effect with white cotton. Arrange evergreen sprigs in a crystal vase or on a decorative plate.
Functionality: Corral items on a tray that can be moved around should you need to put a holiday spread on the island. Use the vase for fresh flowers or even holiday greenery.
10. Holiday Festive
Style: Cheerful and celebratory, perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas
Items Used: Holiday-themed napkins, a festive runner, small holiday decorations (e.g., ornaments, mini stockings), a mini rosemary or Christmas tree, unique cookie cutters
Description: Use a holiday-themed runner to set the tone and add festive decorations like mini ornaments or stockings. Place holiday-themed napkins or a small gift for guests on the island.
Functionality: Decorations can be moved or adjusted to make space for holiday cooking and serving.
Decor Ideas
How To Decorate A Kitchen Island
1. Decant Soap in a Pretty Container
If you have a sink in your island, nobody wants to look at a cheap soap dispenser on the countertop. Choose containers that match your kitchen’s aesthetic. For a modern look, opt for sleek glass or metal dispensers. For a more rustic feel, consider ceramic or vintage-style bottles. Of course, I am partial to my Simple Human touchless one!
2. Add Fresh Flowers and Greenery
Flowers and greenery create a focal point and introduce a touch of nature, which can be soothing and energizing. They also add a sense of freshness and beauty to the space. For low-maintenance options, consider succulents or herbs, which also double as fresh ingredients for cooking. Use vases or pots that match your kitchen decor, from minimalist glass vases to rustic ceramic pots.
3. Arrange Small Items in Baskets or Trays
My favorite trick for kitchen islands is using trays and baskets to keep your island organized and decluttered. It also makes things easy to move in one swoop when you need cooking space. They also provide an opportunity to showcase items in a stylish, cohesive way. They can contain a variety of objects, from fruits and vegetables to kitchen essentials. Generally, odd numbers of items look the most put together.
4. Play with Height
Incorporating items of varying heights creates eye catching visual interest and prevents the island from looking flat or monotonous. It helps to draw the eye around the space and adds a dynamic element to the decor. Use risers, cake stands, or elevated trays to display items at different levels. For example, place a vase of flowers on a riser, and use the space beneath it for a fruit bowl or decorative items.
5. Add Functional Yet Decorative Items
Items that are both functional and decorative can enhance the usability of your kitchen island while adding style. Good examples include mason jars or utensil holders, a fruit bowl that doubles as decor, or putting your wooden cutting boards on display. Also great space savers!
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