Who says islands are useless? Home islands are a real treat!

2025-10-21

Today let’s talk about the island in the home. In fact, no matter it is a villa, a large flat, or an everyday large apartment, as long as it can be decorated with an open kitchen, you can almost always see an island.

In the kitchen, an island provides a spacious work surface for cooking, serving as a washing and cutting area, storage space, or even a place to relax during meals. Furthermore, the island itself possesses both functional and formal appeal, complementing the kitchen with a decorative touch.

1. Independent island

Independent islands are also a common type. As the name suggests, they have an independent location and countertop that can be used for storage or cooking. However, in comparison, independent islands also require a larger area.

2. Extended island

Generally, it is a fixed cabinet plus an extended countertop. Most extended islands are used as dining tables, and they also invisibly increase the usable area of ​​the workbench.

3. Peninsula Island

If the overall space is not large, it is not possible to have an independent island in the kitchen. The peninsula island just alleviates this contradiction. While having the island space, it also makes the limited kitchen space more compact and practical.

As mentioned earlier, the island counter is not only formal and decorative, but also functional.

Cuisine

The island countertop can be equipped with a sink and built-in appliances, and it also doubles as a cooking surface. You can also place washed fruits and vegetables on the countertop, or use it as a meat processing area, effectively separating meat and vegetables. You no longer have to worry about a countertop being too small to fit your ingredients, making your kitchen more organized.

Storage

An island isn't just about the countertop; its entirety can be utilized. Designing some storage space underneath can effectively hide kitchen clutter. If used as a dining table, you can even create a sliding design underneath to store tableware for easy access.

Dining

Combining the kitchen and dining room significantly saves space. It's truly convenient to use an island as a dining table. Once you've prepared a meal, you can set it down and enjoy it right away. However, consider the height when using an island as a dining table. Most countertops are higher, and the extended portion can be lowered, or higher chairs can be chosen, similar to a bar counter. Simply dining on the island after cooking is perfectly fine. For larger groups, a combined dining table and island is more suitable.

cut off

Open kitchens are often connected to dining rooms or living rooms. How can we ensure good lighting and a clear flow of space while still creating a clear distinction between the two spaces? The design of an island can naturally create a spatial partition without affecting the overall view.

In fact, in many home decorations, it is not difficult to find that the design of the island is not only present in the kitchen space, but also in the living room, cloakroom and other places, where the island can play a significant role.

An island counter is set up in the middle of the cloakroom to store small and frequently used items, such as ties, cuffs, brooches, underwear and other accessories. It can be stored and displayed to supplement the storage space and make it more convenient to use and take them.

Aside from the island in other spaces, the presence of a kitchen island has also subtly changed people's attitudes towards life. Preparing for a meal together is no longer a one-person job. This is especially evident during Chinese New Year, when a large family gathers around a large table for New Year's Eve dinner. The presence of an island prevents mother from struggling alone in the kitchen. The presence of an island increases interaction and communication between family and friends.