8 Stunning Kitchen Island Design Ideas Homes in Singapore 2023
As interior design and home architecture continue to evolve with time, several new features are added, some are removed, and some details are transformed into newer, unique concepts and structures. A perfect example of this concept is the kitchen which was once referred to as a place of labor and work. The person inside the kitchen would be isolated from the rest of the family members and thus would feel quite stressed out from doing all the work alone.
However, as times have evolved, the kitchen has transformed to become a communal place where friends and family sit together to converse, cook, eat, and have a fun time together. It won’t be wrong to say that instead of a living room, the kitchen has now become the heart and soul of a home. And one of the kitchen structures that has aided in this transformation is the kitchen island.
For those who don’t know, a kitchen island is a stand-alone structure in the middle or side of a kitchen that can serve several purposes like a cutting station, a dining table, or a washing station. A kitchen island is added in an open-concept layout where the living room and the kitchen flow seamlessly into each other and there are no apparent boundaries between them. Therefore, whoever is sitting at the kitchen counter can easily view what is happening in the living room and vice versa. Similarly, they can easily communicate with each other.
So let’s dive further into how a kitchen island can be used, things you should keep in mind while incorporating a kitchen island in your home, and some great inspirational ideas to get the perfect island.
Kitchen island uses
A kitchen island can primarily be used for certain purposes like:
● Food Preparation: this is probably the most common use of a kitchen island where it is used in meal preps like cutting, organizing, and dishing out.
● Washing station: A kitchen island may also be used as a separate washing station if a sink and faucet have been installed in it. This washing station may be helpful during the preparatory stages where you can wash vegetables and fruits on the island and continue with the prep work on the same counter.
● Cooking station: Sometimes on a large island, an induction stove may also be installed to provide an extra stove to do light cooking.
● Dining: Another popular use of a kitchen island is to use it for dining purposes. Many people make it a habit of having breakfast on the kitchen island whereas others may have their lunch and dinner here as well.
● Storage: A kitchen island can also be used for storage purposes. Many kitchen islands are designed with storage drawers and cabinets. Thus, they serve multiple purposes where they may provide storage along with providing a place for meal preps and dining options.
Things to keep in mind while designing a kitchen island
A kitchen island is definitely a very functional structure that provides you with many benefits. However, during its design stage, certain tips (besides your kitchen renovation budget) should be kept in mind so you can gain the maximum benefit from it.
Identify its shape and structure
A kitchen island usually refers to the stand alone counter in the middle of the kitchen but one of its variations is the kitchen peninsula. A peninsula is attached to a kitchen wall on one of its ends making its other three sides free. When designing the kitchen, consider if you want an island or a peninsula. For an island, you would require a larger space whereas a peninsula can be accommodated in a small kitchen as well.
Moreover, you can be creative regarding the shape of the island; you can keep it as a square, rectangle, or even a pentagon although a rectangular island is the most common choice.
Keep in mind the functionality you want from it
The next thing to keep in mind is what kind of functionality you want from the island. Is it going to be a simple counter structure that can be used for meal preps, cutting and chopping, and dining purposes or you also want to incorporate a washing station in it. Depending on what you intend to use the island for, you would have to consider its size and all the other necessary structural details to ensure maximum functionality.
Consider the kitchen and island’s size measurements
This consideration keeps in view the two previously discussed points that depending on the functionality of the island as well as the available kitchen space, you would need to finalize the size of the island. You do not want a very small island in a large kitchen as it will look out of place. Neither do you want a very large island in a small kitchen so much so that it creates a messy outlook and leaves very little space to move around.
Storage or no storage?
Another important tip while designing a kitchen island is to determine whether you want storage options in it or not. If you require storage, you would need to make a solid, cuboid structure of the island but if storage is not a requirement, you can design the island in a way that its foundation structure is very sleek with a beautiful counter on top. If you want to incorporate storage, you have the option of specifying what kind of drawers and cabinets you want in it and what their sizes would be.
Identify the kind of sitting you want with it
A kitchen island almost always also has some kind of sitting option with it. It could be stools, chairs, or benches. When designing a kitchen island, identify the kind of chairs or stools you want with it so that once everything is complete, all elements will look good together. Alternatively, you can choose the stools or chairs that best go with the kitchen island after it has been completed.
Kitchen island design ideas
Now let’s go through some kitchen island design ideas inspired from Swiss Interior’s design portfolios. You can draw inspiration from these ideas and determine what kind of style of kitchen island you want in your kitchen.
The classic kitchen island
Starting off, let’s discuss the classic kitchen island that sits as a stand alone structure in the middle of the kitchen. As shown in the picture, it is the simplest island with a countertop that can be used for dining and meal preparation purposes. Casual stools are placed next to the island where residents can sit together and have a good time. This island is hollow with no storage options. However, you can give it your own twist by adding storage cabinets on one or both sides of the island. Similarly, you may even include a sink in this structure if you want that functionality as well. The overall theme of this kitchen is a cool, Scandinavian interior and the island fits perfectly well in the space.
The casual island
For a more casual and easy-going environment in a kitchen, you can take inspiration from the following design portfolio where a simple laminate island is added in the area where the kitchen and living room meet. This kitchen island is not as sophisticated as the one discussed in the above section and this is its beauty. This home’s interior design theme is a casual and comfortable retro style where every element contributes to providing a relaxed and laid-back vibe. A comfortable bench serves as the sitting option for this island, completely in line with the rest of the home’s interior.
The extended dining-kitchen island
If you have a bigger space and want to create a seamless transition between the kitchen, dining area, and the living room, then this kitchen island style is the perfect option for you. In this layout, the stand-alone kitchen island occupies a position on one side instead of being in the center. On the other side, the dining table is placed as an extension to the island. Thus, it creates the illusion of a large island or a large dining table, although the difference in heights of the island and the table clearly indicate the separate structures. There are high stools placed near the island and similar designed chairs are used near the dining table. This kind of island layout creates a very unique and interesting appearance in the interior.
The L-shaped island
One variation of a kitchen island is where it occupies space along one wall of the kitchen in an L-shaped pattern. This layout is a good option for smaller kitchens that do not have enough space for an island to be placed in the center. The island’s countertop is made from marble which gives it a very elegant touch. Casual stools are placed next to the island that create versatility in design. You can choose bright colored stools as has been done in this portfolio to balance the elegant theme of the kitchen.
The elegant kitchen island
If you have a contemporary-styled home and are thinking of ways in which to incorporate a kitchen island so that it further enhances the elegance and style of the design, then this island portfolio is for you. A rather simple-looking island is added in the kitchen area. Just as the rest of the cabinets and counters are simple, the island follows the same design. However, what makes this island stand out among others is the way it has been lit up from up and below. Above the island, we see contemporary-retro hanging lamps that illuminate the island’s countertop. In the hollow foundation of the island, warm strip lights are installed that give the island a glowing effect. This gives a modern and stylish touch to an already elegant space.
The right-angled kitchen island
When an island is installed in a kitchen, almost 90% of the time, its placement is parallel to the main, widest wall of the kitchen. However, you can create a rather unique design where the island can be placed at a right angle to the widest wall. Consider the following image as an example. Here, we can see that the main cabinets and counters of the kitchen are along one wall. At a right angle to it, a sleek island is added. The island is highly functional in spite of it being so sleek. There are storage drawers along one of its ends whereas the rest of the island is hollow that allows for stools to be easily pushed inside to save space.
The wooden peninsula
Most often than not, an island is made from concrete with its countertop being marble or granite. However, in interior design themes like Scandinavian style, the space is dominated by oak colored wood and similar colored elements. In such an interior, you can add a wooden island so that it matches with the rest of the interior and also adds a natural touch to the space. Consider the following image where a light colored wood and white laminate peninsula is added in a kitchen. This cool island creates a fresh and lively ambience in the space that is further enhanced by the use of pastel-colored elements. The rounded edges of the peninsula also add a unique touch to this design.
The wooden island
Another option for a wooden island that looks quite different from the previous portfolio is shown in the following image. This kitchen has an overall dark theme, so dark colored wood is used for the island. The island is simple with no storage, yet it creates an elegant vibe in the kitchen owing to its unique selection of wood colors. The island is illuminated through hanging lamps that display Edison bulbs in them. The warm lighting and the dark colors all work together to create a whimsical ambience in the space.
A kitchen island definitely adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen along with providing more functionality and storage. Whatever the purpose of the kitchen island that you choose, it will definitely help bring all the family members closer together. Never will you have to cook alone in the kitchen and miss out on all the conversations that the rest of the family and friends are having in the living room. All these ideas can help you get the best island for your kitchen.
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Contact Swiss Interior today for more inspiration and ideas about kitchen islands or interior design in general.
About Swiss Interior
Swiss Interior is a leading interior design company in Singapore since 2012. Led by founders Jason and Ronnie, the Swiss team serves customers from all walks of life, delivering bespoke and dream interior design and renovation services to all homeowners in Singapore.
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- Singapore outstanding enterprise award (2013)
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- First ID firm to win 1 Week Kitchen Challenge by HomeRenoGuru (2019)
- Featured in NOC RenoKing (2020)
- HomeRenoGuru Top 10 ID Firm (2020, 2021)
- Featured in CNA Lifestyle Making Room (2021)
- Qanvast SuperTrust (2021, 2022)
- Featured in HomeStyle Magazine Year End Cover Page (2021)
- Featured in Sheikh Haikel & Anna Belle Francis DreamHome (2022)
- Sidac Accreditation (2022)