The kitchen island continues to be one of the most coveted features in kitchen design and is evolving to meet the changing needs and tastes of homeowners.
The island is undoubtedly the stylish centerpiece for the modern kitchen, but it actually has been a functional kitchen fixture for generations.
In Victorian kitchen design, an island-style worktable was placed near the hearth to make prep easier, reducing the number of steps that the cook had to take when making meals.
Today’s home cooks rely on efficient island design to accomplish the same goals.
An iteration of the kitchen island that homeowners will identify with was introduced by iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1930s, developed to make entertaining guests easier. A countertop workstation was positioned in the kitchen with a glass partition, adjacent to the dining room in an open-concept floor plan, so homeowners could cook while still remaining connected to their guests.
Having a kitchen designed for entertaining, including an island, remains a top priority for homeowners today.
And now, with new tech, materials and realization of the spatial opportunity that a kitchen island provides, kitchen islands are evolving again to match homeowner needs.
Here are the biggest design trends for kitchen islands in 2025.
Multi-Functional Islands
It’s no surprise that multi-functional islands are leading kitchen design trends in 2025, given what homeowners require of their kitchens in the context of lifestyle.
Yes, the island needs to add wow-factor to the aesthetic in an open-concept floor plan, but more importantly it needs to be a hub for daily living and have smart features to facilitate entertaining. It’s redefining what “one-stop-shop” means.
Expect to see kitchen islands in 2025 that feature both seating and ample prep space, which lets homeowners, cook, host, dine, and help with homework, all in a central location.
One multi-functional aspect homeowners want in their kitchen island is more—and better configured—storage, according to this report on 2025 kitchen trends from Fixr,
Beyond being a simple small appliance garage, islands now house multiple pullouts, additional cabinetry, and other storage solutions.
“Storage is very important to our buyers, so we’ve included cabinetry on both sides of the island for additional storage space,” says Jesús Orozco, Jr., sales consultant, McStain Neighborhoods at Westerly
To be truly multi-functional for a modern family, an island needs tech features. Multiple outlets are convenient to use small appliances, and charging stations make it easier to follow recipes from your tablet or phone, do homework, or run your playlist during a party. Designs with pop-up chargers maintain a streamlined aesthetic, as does the option of housing chargers within drawers in the island.
Colorful, Textured Kitchen Islands
In addition to boosting functionality with smart design, kitchen islands are poised to make a splash, stylistically in 2025.
Re-introducing color into the kitchen after years of all-white palettes continues to be a strong trend in 2025.
“Many homeowners prefer to match island finishes to the rest of the kitchen, but there is also growing interest in using contrasting colors or materials to make the island a focal point,” says Orozco, Jr..
With her clients, Kendal Cavalieri, founder and principal designer of Kendal Cavalieri Design. is seeing a lot of “navy blue, as an accent color, just on the island.”
Green, natural wood and black-and-white contrast are all trending island color choices. Also, instead of color, details such as trim and fluting are popular ways to add subtle texture to the island.
Making Use of the Knee Space
The knee space on the kitchen island (the area underneath the counter, usually where stools or chairs are for seating) has generally been overlooked in kitchen island design.
Building on the idea of creating contrast with the kitchen island, look for the knee space to play a decorative role in 2025.
Popular ideas include bespoke metallics, colorful, textured tiles and trim. Cabinetry that offers more storage will occupy knee space in 2025 as well.
Built-In Appliances to Reshape the Kitchen Triangle
The most functional kitchen designs traditionally have relied on the kitchen triangle, where the stove/oven, sink and refrigerator are placed in a triangular configuration, scalable to the size of the space, with the intention of minimal steps between these necessary prep areas.
However, what is considered the standard shape for functionality in the kitchen is changing.
Where space allows, cooking zones are created on the island, with a sink (or two) for prep and a multi-use induction cooktop for cooking, along with extra trash drawers.
Similarly, small appliances are being integrated into kitchen island design, with in-island beverage coolers a sought-after feature.
Also trending are microwaves in the island, either in-drawer or built-in, according to Cavalieri.
Different Seating Design
With the desire to integrate more seating at the island, designs to accommodate seating comfortably are changing.
It’s a case of thinking around the traditional island design to maximize seating, according to Orozco, Jr..
“Functionality has evolved, with more designs incorporating an overhang on multiple sides to accommodate additional seating.”
“Islands with seating on two adjacent sides are becoming more popular, allowing for greater flexibility and social interaction, "says Orozco, Jr.. and that their plans at Westerly reflect this trend.
Also trending are kitchen islands with varying counter heights, with lower levels specifically for seating. This helps to distinguish prep from dining, and also offers a universal design benefit, with accessible height.
Kitchen Islands With Features For Pets
Lots of homeowners are pet owners, so home design is evolving to support furry household members.
The hub in the heart of the home, the kitchen island, is the natural place for Fido’s home base, to be integrated with the rest of the family.
Watch for islands in 2025 with areas for bowls and feeders particularly on the ends of islands, or in the knee space, built-in crates, and built-in storage, such as large cabinets or pull-outs for pet food and toys.
Kitchen Islands Are Getting Bigger
With islands playing a larger role in kitchen design, they naturally are increasing in size to accommodate all the different potential uses.
“Buyers now prefer larger kitchen islands for multi-functional uses’, says Orozco, Jr.
“Islands have evolved into the crown jewel of the kitchen, and we’ve absolutely maximized the size of our islands to be proportionate with our expansive kitchens.”
However, bigger isn’t necessarily better. Scale and kitchen size should guide the design ultimately, says Cavalieri
“Let's say you have an extra-long island. You might not have the width in the space, which doesn't give you the proportion that you want,” she says.
Having an oversized island in an undersized space restricts traffic flow and throws aesthetic balance off kilter.
Kitchen Islands With Curves
While rectangular islands, or variations on rectangles, such as L or T-shapes remain the most popular, rectangles don’t corner the market.
Emerging are curved islands, which can be effective from a space planning standpoint. Curves are one of the biggest interior design trends across the home at the moment. Gentle lines support biophilic design, which is a growing priority for homeowners who want kitchens designed with health and wellness in mind.
