33 Small Kitchen Island Ideas to Optimize a Compact Space (2024)

Room Design

Kitchen Design

Small Kitchens

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  Keep It Classic

  

  This small British kitchen island from deVOL Kitchens has classic lines that work with the simple Shaker cabinetry, and a butcher block top that adds a rustic note.
  

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  Make It Multipurpose

  

  This small Parisian kitchen island from Space Factory has a deep teal painted base that matches the lower cabinetry, a sleek integrated inversion burner cooktop, and seating for two.
  

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  Put It on Wheels

  

  Adding wheels to the legs of your small kitchen island or choosing a small kitchen cart makes it easy to move around as needed, a welcome bonus in a smaller space. This small kitchen island from Leanne Ford Interiors has a black metal base that echoes the large arched window panes, adding a graphic note while preserving the airy and open feel of the space.
  

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  Line the Bottom Shelf

  

  A narrow kitchen island adds a vintage feel to this bright kitchen from Leanne Ford Interiors. A row of rustic baskets on the lower shelf hides clutter.

  62 Kitchen Island Ideas You'll Want to Copy

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  Add a Waterfall Edge

  

  Just because it's small doesn't mean it can't be glamorous. This modest sized NYC apartment kitchen island from Michelle Gerson Interiors is comfortably set up for two, with upholstered seating, a waterfall edge countertop, and a brown wood base that echoes the lower cabinetry.

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  Try a Vintage Model

  

  This small kitchen island from Basic Projects has a rich stained wood, semi-open base and a marble top, helping to structure the open-plan kitchen while adding a vintage feel that complements a French range and echoes the dark hardwood flooring.

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  Paint the Base

  

  See Also

  8x Small kitchen inspiration: beautiful and practical! - I-KOOKKitchen Coach blog including small kitchen, small kitchens, small corner kitchen, small kitchen inspiration8 Best Small Kitchen Design Ideas | 21Oak15 Stylish Small Kitchen Design Ideas & Inspiration

  This small wood kitchen island from Becca Interiors has a wood top and a pale sage green painted base that works as a subtle color accent in the neutral room. A pair of vintage metal stools enhances the chic country inspired vibes.

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  Add an Overhang on One End

  

  Finding Lovely added a small overhang to this compact kitchen island that accommodates a pair of bar stools without infringing on the flow of the bright and airy space.

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  Add a Pull-Out Dining Table

  

  The narrow kitchen island in this tiny Paris studio from Space Factory has an OSB finish and a space-saving white dining table/bar for two that slides in and out.

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  Include Hidden Storage

  

  This small highrise kitchen island from Forbes + Masters floats in the center of an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living room, helping to structure the space. Built-in storage and waterfall edge countertops that give it a polished and elegant feel despite its modest proportions.
  

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  Source a French Butcher Block

  

  Before there were kitchen islands, there were farm tables and classic French wooden butcher blocks like this one from Marie Flanigan Interiors that functions like a small kitchen island while adding some French country character to the modern space.
  

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  Color Drench It

  

  This small Parisian kitchen island from Space Factory features dining space for two and an induction cooktop. The base is saturated in a vibrant deep shade of International Klein Blue that plays off against the natural accents and black-and-white patterned tile floors.

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  Skip the Bar Stools

  

  Blogger Annie Diamond of Most Lovely Things ripped out the space-hogging built-in island of her new home and swapped in a smaller scale freestanding model instead. While there isn't enough room around the island to install bar stools, a cozy corner banquette is only steps away.

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  Play with Materials

  

  This small kitchen island from Fantastic Frank has a plywood-clad mini island on wheels that adds a raw and informal vibe to the open plan space.

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  Square It Off

  

  Who says your kitchen island has to be rectangular? This square kitchen island from Erin Williamson Design has a thick marble top and slim metal legs that don't take up much visual space in a classic kitchen with navy painted cabinets and classic checkerboard floor tiles.
  

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  Keep It Minimalist

  

  This small kitchen island from Fantastic Frank floats in the middle of this minimalist Scandi-style eat-in kitchen, skipping the bar stools in order to leave plenty of space around it for circulating. An adjacent dining table provides a place for meals by the window.
  

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  Keep It Minimal

  

  This minimalist space from deVOL Kitchens has a classic look with a wrap-around pegboard wall hooks for hanging pots and plants, and a small wood clad, marble topped kitchen island for prepping meals.

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  Install a Gas Range

  

  This cheerful space from deVOL Kitchens includes a small kitchen island that houses a gas stove range and a butcher block top for extra prep space.

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  Warm It Up with Wood

  

  In this Danish-inspired San Francisco kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors, a small kitchen island is clad in warm wood to add contrast with the black-and-white palette and stainless steel appliances.

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  Add a French Country Accent

  

  Adding French-style wooden bar stools and a sparkly chandelier gives this small kitchen island from Jessica Nelson Design a French country vibe that's easy to live with and will outlast trends.

  Counter Height vs. Bar Height: What's the Difference?

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  Add a Vase of Tall Branches

  

  In this New York City kitchen, interior designer Alvin Wayne added fur throws to the bar stools and a vase of extra tall branches to the top of the small kitchen island that draws the eye up, emphasizing the tall ceilings rather than the limited footprint.

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  Paint It Blue

  

  This mobile kitchen island from Studio Peake is painted in the same deep teal as the lower cabinets, adding saturated color to the traditional lines and warm wood finishes of this classic British kitchen.
  

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  Add Corner Display Shelves

  

  Charlie Coull Design added a relatively small kitchen island in this spacious kitchen that houses the sink and preserves flow, skipping bar seating but adding storage and open shelving display space.

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  Add a Farmhouse Feel

  

  This turned wood kitchen island from Jessica Nelson Design adds a homey farmhouse-inspired element to an all-white kitchen. The bottom shelf offers a place for storage and display while keeping an open feel that allows light and air to flow.
  

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  Go for the Gold

  

  This Stockholm apartment kitchen from Fantastic Frank has white walls and minimal Scandinavian vibes that allow a gleaming gold island to take center stage. The eye-catching island is not only decorative but a piece of multifunctional furniture that manages to house a sink, induction stovetop and oven on one side, with seating for two on the other.
  

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  Include Open Shelving

  

  For a perfect fit, design a custom island. Home Consultant included a mix of closed and open storage, with a space-saving gap to store backless stools when not in use.

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  Add Rustic Wood Cladding

  

  A small kitchen island clad in a dark stained wood adds a rustic element that grounds this compact kitchen from Mindy Gayer Design Co.. The air space above the island is anchored by woven pendant lights that emphasize the high ceilings of the relatively small kitchen area, making it feel more expansive.

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  Bling It Up

  

  A small waterfall edge island from interior designer Alvin Wayne gets a dose of high-energy bling with shiny gold bar stools that reflect light and add a sense of grandeur to a modest space.
  

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  Go Industrial

  

  An affordable alternative to a fixed kitchen island is a freestanding restaurant-style island that you can pick up at a kitchen supply store. This one from Laquita Tate Interior Styling & Designs has a sturdy countertop and open metal shelving with a light profile that helps keep the small space from feeling cramped.
  

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  Use Light Finishes

  

  A pale-toned kitchen island in this L-shaped, Japandi-style kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors offers seating for three without encroaching too much on the open plan space.
  

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  Add Custom Trim

  

  This country kitchen from Rockport Building Partners has a small kitchen island with cozy French bistro bar stool seating for two that is finished in the same mint green wood as the built-in cabinetry. The island base includes custom trim that matches the cabinetry throughout for a cohesive look.
  

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  Use a Work Table

  

  Inspired By Charm chose a narrow freestanding work table instead of a built-in island in this modest-sized kitchen that provides extra prep space and food storage without overwhelming the space.

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  Make It Movable

  

  In this space from deVOL Kitchens, a small rolling kitchen island on wheels can be pushed up against the wall when you want to free up space in the kitchen, and rolled front and center when you need it.

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  Mix Wood Finishes

  

  Mix natural and painted wood to add dimension to the base of a small kitchen island. Arbor & Co. clad the face of this three-seater island with raw wood for a rustic look, painting the sides in a deep forest green for contrast.

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  Use All-Black Finishes

  

  Give a small island a sleek feel with all-black finishes, like this space from Jessica Nelson Design. Mix matte black paint and polished stone for a sophisticated look.

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  Choose All-White Finishes

  

  Give a smaller kitchen island a light and airy feel with all-white finishes, like this modern cottage kitchen from interior designer Maite Granda.