A perfect way to bring everyone together in the kitchen is by incorporating a kitchen island with built-in seating. This kitchen layout not only maximizes space and seating but naturally creates a designer look. A kitchen island with built-in seating is perfect for those who love to entertain or spend quality time with family. Looking for a bit of inspiration? Here are 25 kitchen island with built-in seating ideas to get you seated and sorted.
25 Kitchen Island Designs with Built-in Seating
1. Spacious and Modern
This kitchen speaks to modern simplicity. The natural wood tones, white cabinetry, and black fixtures repeated throughout this space make the room come together cohesively without trying too hard. A modern white island is included to match with the white upper cabinets giving a very open and airy feel. The natural wood bar stools stand out against the bright white island acting as a great space for friends or family to gather while the chef is preparing food. The warm oak is repeated through the stools, floor, base cabinets, and tall bank of cabinetry. This island setup is great when you need to divide an eating area with a living area.
2. U-shaped Kitchen With Peninsula
The look of a kitchen is always important, but one always needs to keep function in mind as well. In this space, the homeowners have used a relatively small space wisely. The U-shaped kitchen utilizes one arm of the peninsula to serve as an island with barstools. This set-up allows one section of the kitchen to be used dually as a workstation and as an eating area. Trying to maximize your space? This island layout is a fantastic option.
3. Butcher Block Countertop
When you really want your kitchen island to stand out and separate itself from an adjoining countertop, why not use a separate material. In this kitchen, a butcher block is used to separate the seated island area from the adjacent stone countertop. To make this work, the same wood color is used for both the butcher block countertop and floor so that the two do not compete. The contrast of the sleek stone and more rugged butcher block create visual interest through differing textures.
4. Bar Table With Storage
Tight on space but still want to include an island? Placing a store-bought bar table with shelves is a great solution. In this example, the homeowner has selected a table with a stone top to give the illusion of a custom piece. Counter stools have also been added to customize this space as a seating area. This idea will not only save you money but will allow you to get a beautiful-looking island in a small space. All it takes is a bit of creativity.
5. Extended Table
This island is great if you are short on space but want a dining area separate from the workspace. In this example, a counter-height table top extends out from this galley-style kitchen. The color of the table extension blends in with the bank of kitchen cabinets making it appear built-in. The length of the island table top supports 3 armchairs that allow for multiple people to dine and share in conversation together. This layout takes up minimal space yet still offers ample room for seating.
6. Waterfall Countertop
A popular contemporary look for a kitchen island is the waterfall island. This type of island is when the countertop continues down the sides to the ground. It gives the look that the countertop is cascading down to the floor. Think water flowing down, hence the name waterfall. If you really want the stone on your countertop to be front and center this style of island works well. The clean lines of this type of island give the kitchen not only a clean crispness but also expansiveness.
7. Luxurious With Wood Paneling
If your preference is a classic look, incorporating wood detail into the island adds charm and elegance. In this photo, rich dark wood is used to contrast against the light countertops and adjacent cabinetry. The wood paneling is definitely more of a traditional look, however, with contemporary barstools and a quartz countertop, this island exudes a very transitional style. This seated kitchen island will stand the test of time.
8. Colour And Cheer
Colour can have such a positive effect on us when it’s one we love. It can uplift, inspire and conjure up joy. This kitchen island is painted out a vibrant blue to match the blue in the base cabinets. Choose a coordinating color you love and you’ll always feel inspired in your kitchen. This will not only look charming but will motivate you to take your cooking skills to a whole new level.
9. Black And White
The contrast of black and white in this kitchen makes it appear sleek and sophisticated. The large island sets the stage with the bright white base cabinetry and black stone countertops. The island in this kitchen acts as an extension of the cabinetry. The same white cabinetry and black countertops are repeated in both areas. To keep things simple, black swivel stools provide a place to relax and enjoy the space of the large, spacious island. If your kitchen is very linear, like this one, try incorporating soft lines. Here, this is accomplished through incorporating the circular top bar stools.
10. Columns
This large island features a seating area flanked by two craftsman-style wood columns. This adds architectural interest and a classic flare. It also delineates where the sitting area is. If you want to add some interest to your island but don’t want anything too detailed this style lends itself well. In this example, transitional-style counter stools pair nicely with the detail in the columns.
11. Storage
Do you have space for a large island? A great way to efficiently use this extra space is to add in under-counter storage. On this island, cabinets open up behind the counter stools. This added storage allows you to house items that you don’t always need access to but need space to store close by. The simple wood counter stools keep the space from looking busy and can also easily be slid out for access to the island cabinets.
12. Open Storage
When storage behind the counter stools is not an option, why not add in some open storage on the side of the island! This creates an open area to display meaningful items that inspire you and add personality to your kitchen. This open storage also allows for easy access to items that need to be quickly retrieved.
13. Raised On Legs
If your goal is to have your kitchen island look like another beautiful piece of furniture in the space, you can raise the island onto legs. In this photograph, the island is lifted off the ground to give a feeling of expansion and spaciousness. This is especially useful when you have a dark island that could otherwise look heavy and cumbersome.
14. Raised Bar Height
If you like your eating area higher than your working space in the kitchen, a raised island is the right choice for you. The homeowner has chosen a seated island area that is attached to the main island but sits above it. In this layout, those seated are able to watch the food or drinks being prepared which allows for an element of participation. In this instance, bar height stools would need to be selected instead of counter height stools.
15. Bead Board
To get a kitchen island that has a bit of a farmhouse flair, try incorporating beadboard on the facing of the island. This adds some simple, textural detail. Keep the beadboard the same color as the island to blend with the whole island. This is an inexpensive detail to give you a bit of wow. In keeping with the style of the kitchen, slat back stools are used to mix well with the more traditional style of this kitchen.
16. Angled And Dynamic
Sometimes figuring out a kitchen layout in a large, awkward-shaped room poses a dilemma. In this kitchen, the homeowner has made use of the large open space that would have otherwise been wasted. To take full advantage of the large, open space a custom angled island with seating is created. The lines of this island are what give this seated island area interest and functionality.
17. Complete With Cooktop
In this galley-style kitchen, the cooktop is placed in the middle of the island. Why not make the seated island work for you and make it part of your workstation. When guests are over, this layout allows for easy communication and the opportunity for you to show off your marvelous culinary skills. The openness also makes it easy for others to join in on the fun of cooking.
18. Faux Wood
If you like the look of a contemporary kitchen with some organic elements, a simple way to achieve this is by incorporating faux wood detail on the face of the island cabinetry. The natural wood stands out against the clean black and white palette. The soft lines of the counter stools juxtapose the linear lines of the island and kitchen as a whole.
19. Countertop Extension
This transitional style island with seating area is separated into two sections. On one end is a bank of cabinetry for storage. On the opposite end of the island is an area designated for seating. Delineating the two areas allows for uninterrupted and clear functions of the space.
20. Complete With Sink
In this kitchen, the peninsula arm of the u-shaped design functions as the sink area as well as a seating area. This design makes great use of limited space. Without the countertop accommodating counter stools it would simply be a bank of cabinetry. By extending the countertop depth, stools can be added for lounging and eating.
21. Multiple Seats
In large kitchens where space is of no object, use dual sides of the island to include stools for seating. In this smartly designed island, a bank of pullout drawers allows for plenty of storage. A nook at the end of the island houses a stool with hidden storage cabinets behind. Adjacent to this is three stools for added seating. This layout creates a comfortable design for conversation.
22. Store Away Seats
If you like the idea of a large island with seating, but don’t want the seats to detract from the island itself, try incorporating a space where the stools can be hidden underneath the countertop. This allows for ease of movement around the full length of the island. When seating is not required, the stools simply tuck underneath the countertop. When seating is needed, just simply pull out the stools.
23. Long Island
In a large kitchen that is longer than it is wide, a long island is ideal in this space. In this kitchen, a long stone top is used to create an island that has multiple seating. A family of four can comfortably sit on this island and enjoy meals together.
24. Contrasting Colour
If you want your island to really stand out against the kitchen cabinets, painting the color in a rich, luxurious color will definitely make a statement. This kitchen island is painted out in a deep indigo blue to give it depth. The barstools at one end add to the beauty of the island area without overpowering the island’s elegance.
25. Island Facing Match Cabinetry
If the idea is to have the kitchen island area stand out against the cabinetry yet still create a cohesive look, try incorporating a marble look quartz waterfall countertop with cabinet facing to match the kitchen cabinets. The contrast of white on mid-tone wood is eye-catching but lends warmth to the kitchen. The wood top counter stools also pair nicely with the island facing and kitchen cabinetry.