6 KITCHEN ISLAND IDEAS FOR YOUR NEW KITCHEN

Quick Look:

• Larger, multifunctional kitchen islands blend seating, storage, and appliances
• Layered and cantilever designs create striking visual impact
• Curved islands add a touch of luxury and craftsmanship
• Oversized islands support busy, social lifestyles
• Timeless Hamptons style remains a favourite for coastal homes

Kitchen islands have exploded beyond simple prep stations. Leading design publications like Architectural Digest and Houzz emphasise the growing trend of kitchen islands serving as multifunctional social hubs, blending cooking, dining, and entertaining in one stylish space.

Bigger, bolder, and often spilling into the living room, these versatile islands combine seating, storage, and even appliances into one sleek package. With overhead cabinets on the decline, islands are stepping up as stylish dining spots and smart storage hubs.

Stuck for ideas? We’ve got a few. 

Square island

A square island in your kitchen layout will really set your overall design part.⁠ As an increasingly popular kitchen island bench idea, a square island creates a beautiful feature in your kitchen design and will allow you to have seated sections on multiple sides. Square islands can be used for day-to-day casual meals and also serves as an extra entertaining zone.

When choosing a square island design, think about including seating on multiple sides; and keep your storage and integrated appliances in the working zones.⁠

Layered island

Create wow factor in your kitchen design with a layered style island. This can be done all in stone, allowing for a seamless flow of colour across the benchtops. The lowered sections will serve as the feature, designed for extra seating when entertaining or casual meals.

Designers often spotlight layered and cantilever islands for their ability to add depth and architectural interest to kitchens – a statement for the central hub of your home. 

Another striking way to design a layered island is to use a combination of stone and laminate benchtops in contrasting colours. Consider using different thicknesses for each of the materials to highlight the layered design, and to create something uniquely your own. 

Cantilever island

Gravity defying cantilever style islands create maximum impact in your kitchen design and stand alone as a feature in your overall home design. This super stylish design allows you to double your kitchen island as the main or extra seated eating area for your home. 

This style of island is best suited to a contemporary style home because of its stylish and sleek appearance. Cantilever islands can also embrace the layered island trend for an even more striking design. Veined stone benchtops work extremely well in this case, as cantilever design showcases the detail in the stone. 

Oversized islands

The last couple of years has reset home life for many of us. We’re spending more time at home, and with kitchens being the hub of the home it just makes sense to create a social and functional space. 

In larger homes we are even seeing double islands become more popular which also provides some great design opportunities to feature innovative cooking appliances like Pitt Cooktops and downdraft rangehood extraction systems.

Read more about designing the perfect kitchen island for your home. 

Hamptons style

A Hamptons style kitchen is timeless and so well suited to our coastal lifestyle in Perth. If you’re thinking about a Hamptons style kitchen, there are a couple of defining characteristics for the Hamptons island that you need to include to make it a true to this beautiful style.

A luxurious marble benchtop is iconic; as is the custom made planton kick. Shaker style cabinetry is a must and intricate handleware to accessorise your design. Hamptons kitchens are light, bright, and very white; but blue, green or grey cabinetry can also suit this coastal design. View this stunning Hamptons Style kitchen on display in our Perth showroom.

Read more about Hamptons interior design. 

Curved Islands

Curves are the hottest trend in kitchen design right now, and a curved island in your kitchen is the epitome of luxury, adding softness and luxury to the kitchen.

Curved islands serve as a stunning display of workmanship and require the skills of an experienced joiner and stonemason, such as those at The Maker Designer Kitchens, in order to be executed to the highest quality. 

Curves can be used to create a unique feature in a kitchen design which is dominated by straight lines; or to create a design that is completely curved and completely unique. Curves add visual impact to solid colour cabinetry and benchtop selections. Curves also work beautifully with textured laminate selections and have maximum impact when used for a strongly veined marble or stone benchtop.

Read more about adding curves to your kitchen with STECCAWOOD. 

Give the team at The Maker Designer Kitchens a call today

Although personal preference is a major influence on your decision-making process for a new kitchen, you undoubtedly need an expert opinion to help guide your choices. Exploring some kitchen island bench ideas is just the tip of the iceberg. By giving the friendly team of designers at The Maker Designer Kitchens a call today, you’re putting your trust in an experienced team of specialists, who’ll work closely with you to bring your new luxury kitchen to life.
Give our team a call today on 9270 0000 or send through an enquiry with the details of your project. 

Frequently asked questions

What is the best kitchen island shape for my space?

The best shape depends on your kitchen layout and needs. Square islands work well for open-plan spaces with seating on multiple sides, while rectangular or curved islands suit longer kitchens or add a unique design statement.

Can kitchen islands include appliances?

Yes! Many modern kitchen islands integrate appliances like cooktops, sinks, dishwashers, or wine fridges to maximise functionality and streamline your kitchen workflow.

How much space do I need around a kitchen island?

Ideally, allow at least 1 meter (about 3 feet) of clearance around the island to ensure comfortable movement and usability.

Are curved kitchen islands more expensive?

Curved islands typically cost more due to the specialised craftsmanship and materials required, but they offer a distinctive luxury look that can elevate your kitchen design.

What defines a Hamptons-style kitchen island?

Key features include a luxurious marble benchtop, shaker-style cabinetry, custom planton kick, and intricate handleware, often finished in light, bright colours suited to coastal living.

Can I have two kitchen islands?

Yes! Double islands are growing in popularity, especially in larger homes, offering extra storage, prep space, and seating zones for busy households.