Once upon a time, it seemed that everyone dreamed of owning an island. No, not the water-enclosed piece of land (though a person can dream) but the more attainable option: the kitchen island. This furniture feature was a common design choice with the rise in popularity of the modern and spacious open concept kitchen, and for its multifunctionality as a work, storage, and seating space.
But the honorific of “kitchen staple” seems to be fading a bit as designers and homeowners lean towards alternative options. Being that it is a built-in feature of a kitchen, it can be a significant endeavor to remove an island. But if you are looking to update your kitchen or are starting with a blank slate, you may want to reconsider this previous no-brainer, and put a bit more thought into creating a space that is both functional and timeless.
One of the biggest issues with the island is that it is immovable. Because of this your kitchen — and possibly the surrounding space if you are working with an open concept — is limited to the given arrangement. While islands were intended to provide more workable space, they can sometimes do the opposite, inhibiting your ability to move freely and potentially disrupting the flow of your cooking. With the additional workspace, it can also allow more clutter in as well.
What is making your island look particularly dated
What tends to make kitchen islands feel dated is a combination of an out-of-style material, a boring shape, and the wrong size for your cooking space. Busy granite or bright white quartz were once popular choices, but these stones (and their often blocky configuration) can feel cold, sterile and impersonal … particularly when they are formed in a waterfall ledge. Since waterfall kitchen islands were once such a sought-after choice — especially when paired with some other dated kitchen design trends like an all-white color palate — they are a trend that has been done, seen, and just feels all too familiar to be fresh.
If you want to completely replace the countertop of your island, a great option is to swap out the stone for butcher block. This popular counter material adds a warmth to the space while simultaneously functioning as an oversized cutting board. If it gets too stained or scratched, it’s not that hard to learn how to refinish butcher block countertops.
But overall, butcher block tends to wear well and give any kitchen a homey, lived-in feel. Despite what you may think, this type of kitchen island can last about as long as a granite countertop, so you don’t have to feel like you are downgrading just because you’re saving money. Since it is such a basic, functional material, butcher block is also timeless. Unlike other island counter options, you can be rest assured that it won’t go out of style anytime soon.
Alternatives to consider that will cost less but feel more expensive
One of the best alternatives to a traditional island is a wooden farmhouse table. These come in various shapes, sizes, and intended uses, and there are infinite options to choose from available everywhere from antique stores, garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, ReStore, and more. A farmhouse table is a bit smaller and moveable, which may especially work in a smaller kitchen.
This type of table is about countertop height and still offers a large work space, but you can also move it around your house. Plus, you’ll have open space beneath the legs that can allow for easier cleaning and a more open feel. Depending on the height, you could still add additional seating with a couple of stools stored to the side or underneath. Alternatively, you could utilize the space for extra storage in the form of baskets, a wine rack, a small shelf … the possibilities are endless.
These tables come in many styles and colors, and some have unique features like scalloped edges, dainty drawers, and carved legs. Other farmhouse tables even have their own open shelving, which allows for extra storage without bulky feeling of a closed island. Since they are made of wood, you also have the option to refinish the table as you like, making a kitchen refresh as easy as a coat of paint or stain. If seating is more important to you, you can also opt for a large wooden dining table. This will be able to serve as additional work space when you need it, and may even replace the need for a formal dining room.
