My Island Home: 10 Kitchen Islands for Families
Create a family hub that marries form and function, with these creative island ideas
What’s your island style? No, I’m not talking about exotic vacay destinations like Bora Bora or the Maldives, but another popular stand-alone setting that’s found a little closer to home: the kitchen island.
The key to choosing the right island for your prep and cooking zone is careful planning. Think about your needs, how you’ll use the workspace and how to make the design as efficient as possible. For example, if you’re a keen entertainer, you might desire an expansive island where you can wine and dine friends, while serious home chefs may prefer a design with a generous work surface, lots of storage and integrated appliances.
Kitchen islands for family homes, on the other hand, need to tick these boxes and more. Sure, they must look good and be functional (and child friendly), but they also need to serve as a comfy command centre for the family, a casual dining spot for those busy mornings and evenings, and a makeshift office that everyone can use. These 10 family-friendly kitchen islands have all bases covered.
The key to choosing the right island for your prep and cooking zone is careful planning. Think about your needs, how you’ll use the workspace and how to make the design as efficient as possible. For example, if you’re a keen entertainer, you might desire an expansive island where you can wine and dine friends, while serious home chefs may prefer a design with a generous work surface, lots of storage and integrated appliances.
Kitchen islands for family homes, on the other hand, need to tick these boxes and more. Sure, they must look good and be functional (and child friendly), but they also need to serve as a comfy command centre for the family, a casual dining spot for those busy mornings and evenings, and a makeshift office that everyone can use. These 10 family-friendly kitchen islands have all bases covered.
2. A spot for casual eats
An island with space for seating is a smart inclusion in any family home. Why? It’ll transform the spot into a casual dining zone you can use when you’re in a rush or can’t be fussed eating in your formal meals area. It also works well as an inviting hub where the whole family can gather at the end of each day.
An island with space for seating is a smart inclusion in any family home. Why? It’ll transform the spot into a casual dining zone you can use when you’re in a rush or can’t be fussed eating in your formal meals area. It also works well as an inviting hub where the whole family can gather at the end of each day.
3. Durable materials
A family-friendly kitchen needs to be able to withstand daily wear and tear, so choose materials for your island that will survive years of spills, scratches and exposure to scorching-hot dishes. This is particularly important when selecting a surface for your island, as this is where most of the action in the kitchen takes place.
Consider the pros and cons of each material. For example, while stainless steel is very durable, easy to clean and resistant to heat and stains, it is susceptible to dents and scratches and unsightly fingerprints. Engineered stone is another popular surface choice as it’s strong, non-porous and won’t easily scratch or chip, however it is less heat resistant than other surfaces.
A family-friendly kitchen needs to be able to withstand daily wear and tear, so choose materials for your island that will survive years of spills, scratches and exposure to scorching-hot dishes. This is particularly important when selecting a surface for your island, as this is where most of the action in the kitchen takes place.
Consider the pros and cons of each material. For example, while stainless steel is very durable, easy to clean and resistant to heat and stains, it is susceptible to dents and scratches and unsightly fingerprints. Engineered stone is another popular surface choice as it’s strong, non-porous and won’t easily scratch or chip, however it is less heat resistant than other surfaces.
4. Kids’ cooking zone
Does your little one like helping out in the kitchen? Create a designated spot where they can mix, whisk and stir to their heart’s content by lowering the workspace – or at least a section of it – so that it sits at a height they can easily reach.
Does your little one like helping out in the kitchen? Create a designated spot where they can mix, whisk and stir to their heart’s content by lowering the workspace – or at least a section of it – so that it sits at a height they can easily reach.
5. The writing’s on the (island) wall
Where do you leave reminders, shopping list notes and other messages for your family? On the fridge? On a corkboard? On pieces of paper that clutter your benchtop? With a slick of blackboard paint, you can transform your kitchen island into a memo board everyone can use. It’s fun, adds personality to your space and will be the one surface you don’t mind kids doodling on.
More clever ways blackboards can be used around the house
Where do you leave reminders, shopping list notes and other messages for your family? On the fridge? On a corkboard? On pieces of paper that clutter your benchtop? With a slick of blackboard paint, you can transform your kitchen island into a memo board everyone can use. It’s fun, adds personality to your space and will be the one surface you don’t mind kids doodling on.
More clever ways blackboards can be used around the house
6. An island and dining table?
If you want a kitchen island that provides more formal seating than a breakfast bar, integrate a dining table at one end of the island. Lowering the height of the table extension may be something to consider for parents with tiny tots, as they may prefer lower seating, rather than tall bar stools.
If you want a kitchen island that provides more formal seating than a breakfast bar, integrate a dining table at one end of the island. Lowering the height of the table extension may be something to consider for parents with tiny tots, as they may prefer lower seating, rather than tall bar stools.
7. Colour and curves
A kitchen island that’s fun and vibrant will be a hit with the kids and make your cooking zone infinitely more inviting. Curved surfaces and rounded corners will also add interest but are practical, too, as they eliminate potential hazards due to corners at children’s head height.
A kitchen island that’s fun and vibrant will be a hit with the kids and make your cooking zone infinitely more inviting. Curved surfaces and rounded corners will also add interest but are practical, too, as they eliminate potential hazards due to corners at children’s head height.
8. A workspace that works
Make your makeshift island office more permanent by incorporating a pop-up computer in the surface. Genius!
Make your makeshift island office more permanent by incorporating a pop-up computer in the surface. Genius!
9. A table extension for extra guests
Do you often entertain extended family and friends? Chances are your dining table or breakfast bar doesn’t cut it when you need to accommodate extra guests. The solution? An extendable island top that seats additional people.
Do you often entertain extended family and friends? Chances are your dining table or breakfast bar doesn’t cut it when you need to accommodate extra guests. The solution? An extendable island top that seats additional people.
10. Seeing double
Not quite sure one island is enough? If you’re blessed with a large cooking area with extra space to spare, why not consider having two islands instead of one?You’ll have double the storage, a larger prep area and extra seating. And less chance of children hanging at your ankles while you’re cooking.
MORE
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Think Like a Designer: 5 Steps to a Well-Planned Kitchen
Not quite sure one island is enough? If you’re blessed with a large cooking area with extra space to spare, why not consider having two islands instead of one?You’ll have double the storage, a larger prep area and extra seating. And less chance of children hanging at your ankles while you’re cooking.
MORE
Kitchen Inspiration: 10 Stunning Splashback Ideas
15 Essentials for the Entertainer’s Kitchen
Kitchen Inspiration: 20 of the Best Modern Kitchens
Think Like a Designer: 5 Steps to a Well-Planned Kitchen
There’s nothing more frustrating than a kitchen that’s lacking in storage, has minimal surface space and little room to move – three essentials you need in a family-friendly kitchen. An island with a bank of roomy drawers and large work surface will solve the first two problems. To overcome the third, ensure there’s ample room around the kitchen island so multiple people can work in the area without getting in each other’s way.