kitchen island

A kitchen island is a freestanding cabinet or countertop that is accessible from all sides. It provides additional workspace and storage space in the centre of your kitchen, where preparation, cooking, and cleaning can all take place. A kitchen island can be mobile or stationary, and its size can range from a small work surface to a large unit that can almost function as its own kitchen.

Dreaming of island living? We don’t blame you! Whether it’s to transform a tired kitchen into something timeless, create the ideal entertaining place, or maximise storage space, the highly coveted kitchen island can do it all.

Kitchen islands have become a real icon of the modern kitchen. It’s almost a modern equivalent of a home hearth burning cozily. Perfect for the whole family to gather around to relax, cook, entertain and enjoy each other’s company.

Placed at the heart of the cook space, these multipurpose units can enhance a kitchen's utility and appearance.

Topping the list of must-haves in most kitchen renovations, an island is the perfect value-added improvement, one that transforms the way you use and enjoy the busiest room in your house.

At a minimum, an island adds counter and storage space just where you need them: at the pivot point between your kitchen’s cooking, cleaning, and food-prep zones. And outfitted with fixtures and appliances, such as a sink and cooktop, or bar stools for dining, an island itself can become the hub of activity. Such utility is the reason builders and designers say that adding an island offers more bang for your buck than just about any other kitchen upgrade.

The first kitchen islands in America date to the colonial era. These simple worktables, situated near the hearth of the home, were where families prepped meals and then sat down to break bread. Even after the advent of built-in cabinetry, and well into the first half of the 20th century, the island remained a freestanding piece of furniture, often with a look and style all its own. The tradition continues today, as islands often integrate materials, colors, and design flourishes that are different from those of the surrounding wall cabinets, making them the focal point of the space.