Island Time

A kitchen island is a must-have for the modern home. That isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Designers say that the island is simply too valuable an upgrade to give up. It has become the reliable, show-stopping stand-in for cabinet storage and counter prep space when walls come down, and it has emerged as a favorite spot for casual meals, entertaining and homework.

The first kitchen island that we know of was created by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1937. Designing for Nancy and Malcolm Willey of Minneapolis, he opened up the area between the kitchen and living room to help Willey connect with guests while preparing food and drinks. The idea took hold, with more and more islands showing up in new homes over the years. Today, no renovation seems complete until the homeowner asks, “Can that wall come down?”

Clay Sechrest, owner of Sechrest Design Company, has seen the popularity of kitchen islands escalate during his 40 years in business. He isn’t surprised.

“It’s a design element that can morph with any style, from super-sleek to richly traditional,” he said. “You can wrap it in marble, add gorgeous furniture details and even convert some lovely, antique storage unit or table. As long as there’s space in the kitchen, the design possibilities are endless.”

Designers including Clay Sechrest of Sechrest Design Co. in Tallahassee like the versatility of kitchen islands, finding that they work well along a continuum that ranges from the super sleek to the richly traditional. “You can wrap it in marble, add gorgeous furniture details and even convert some lovely, antique storage unit or table,” Sechrest says. “As long as there’s space in the kitchen, the design possibilities are endless.” Photo Courtesy of National Kitchen & Bath Association

Design Trends

As the kitchen island grows in popularity, homeowners look for new ways to suit the design staple to their lifestyles. The National Kitchen & Bath Association is the premier source of research related to these trends, and according to spokesperson Julia Gillespie, 76% of NKBA designers said that large islands that function as dining tables are now a top trend.

Designer Stacy McCarthy of NKBA’s Florida chapter sees this trend play out in islands without sinks or countertop appliances. She calls them “freedom islands” because of the versatility offered by additional open space.

“At first, the digression of sinks and cooktops seemed a surprise, but bringing back a bit of separation to kitchen tasks is better for entertaining, family homework sessions and relaxation,” she said. “It provides more of that family table feeling when water and cooking don’t get in the way.”

While the number of available styles has multiplied in recent years, kitchen islands have been around for decades throughout which they have grown in popularity as a feature in homes. Photo Courtesy of National Kitchen & Bath Association

Aesthetically, the island now serves as a pop of color, according to an NKBA survey. This view is shared by Tallahassee designer Anna Osborne of Studio A Interiors and Tessa Boudreaux of Jansen Kitchen & Bath in Pensacola.

“A bold color for the island is now a common choice when the homeowner wants it to be a statement piece,” Osborne said. “However, when a neutral palette is used, the island and perimeter cabinetry are usually uniform.”

Boudreaux commented that using a different color for the island than the rest of the cabinetry helps to “anchor it to the room and make it the focal point it deserves to be.”

Other island trends singled out by Sechrest, Osborne and Bourdreaux include increased use of quartz products for island countertops and more attention to seating.

“People used to sit all in a line,” Osborne said. “Now, seating may be just in the middle or at the ends, leaving more counter space to prep and place serving dishes.”

Warning Words

Homeowners may clamor for islands, but Sechrest, Osborne and Bourdreaux agree that not everybody should have them. An island shouldn’t hem you in. There has to be plenty of room to move around freely and accommodate open refrigerator and oven doors.

“Islands aren’t always the best use of space in a floor plan,” Boudreaux said. “Very large islands, which have become so trendy, can be especially problematic. I will personally convince people not to do them if they don’t make sense, but I really have to go to bat defending my views.

“I feel that there’s a shift in the trend toward those wide open spaces,” she added. “Lately we’re seeing people wanting to open walls a little, but still keep their spaces a bit more separated. We have even put in a few kitchen walls lately.”

Open floor plans and large islands may be popular, but bucking the trend could be the best option for certain spaces. Whether large or small, colorful or muted, the kitchen island is here to stay.