20+ Pretty Decorating Ideas for Kitchen Island
Struggling with how to decorate your kitchen island countertop? Get inspired with these 20+ pretty decorating ideas for a kitchen island! From vases with greenery to fruit bowls, there’s something for everyone!
Your kitchen is the heart of the home. And in the middle of most dream kitchens stands an island.
A kitchen island is possibly the most coveted feature when it comes to designing a kitchen. The addition of extra counter space, storage, and seating is a dream come true, but the floating fixture in your kitchen can pose a challenge to decorate.
Today I’m going to share tons of decorating ideas for your kitchen island to add your own design style while keeping it functional and practical.
Kitchen islands are known for their versatility and functionality. They can quickly change from a meal prep workstation or a homework area for the kids to a buffet-style setup for a dinner party. The sky is the limit for this fixture.
How to Decorate a Kitchen Island Countertop
The countertop of your kitchen island usually starts as a big blank slate, which can totally be overwhelming for some. When it comes to decorating your kitchen island countertop, there are a few things to consider to really make it work for you.
The goal here with your kitchen island decorations is to personalize your island and turn it into a statement that looks amazing.
Consider Your Space
First and foremost, your kitchen island needs to be functional, so think carefully about what you want it to do. This will differ from person to person, of course.
Do you need extra counter space for food preparation? Do you need extra storage space for pots and pans? Or perhaps you want a seating area where people can gather around and chat while you cook.
Think about how much space you have on your kitchen island countertop and make a plan from there. I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t want to clutter the space that requires rearranging when the kids do homework. But you do want a warm and inviting feeling that is both functional and pretty.
There are so many different types of kitchen islands on the market today, such as models with built-in sinks or stovetops, or islands that have shelving or cabinets underneath for additional storage. Take this into consideration when planning your kitchen design or shopping for a new kitchen island.
Make it Functional
There are plenty of ways to incorporate functionality and style into the decor on your kitchen island, even if you have a small kitchen island. Dough bowls are a popular choice for corralling fruits and packaged snacks for easy access.
You can also gather salt cellars, spices, stacks of plates and bowls, and collections of cooking utensils for easy access at your extra prep station.
Try to choose items that serve a purpose versus just for show. Cookbooks, coasters, candles, and cutting boards are other decorative items that are also functional on your kitchen island.
Add Lighting
Lighting is an integral part of any interior design project, and it can make a significant impact on the look and feel of your kitchen island.
When it comes to lighting for your kitchen island, the most obvious choice is to add pendant lights. Pendant lights hanging above your island can create interest, draw the eye upward, and add a warm ambiance to your kitchen.
There is no limit to the variety of pendant lights you can choose from; rustic metal designs with exposed bulbs can create an industrial vibe while glass or crystal pendants offer a more elegant look. Consider the overall style of your kitchen when choosing pendant lights for your island. Check out these pendant light ideas for more inspiration!
If you want to add some extra flair to your lighting fixtures, consider adding dimmer switches for brightness adjustments as needed.
Incorporate Seating
Adding seating to your kitchen island is an excellent way to create a social hub in the heart of your home. A row of bar stools creates a casual dining area while providing extra seating during parties or gatherings with friends and family members.
Not only does seating enhance the functionality and beauty of your kitchen island but ensures that it becomes one cool hang-out area!
Choose Bold Colors
Your kitchen island is prime real estate for adding bold colors that pop against your cabinets and countertops. If you have neutral cabinets or counters, use bright shades like orange or turquoise on your island for an eye-catching focal point. The pop of color can add tons of character to your kitchen!
Or have fun playing around with graphic designs or even painting it all black for contrast!
When it comes to designing your dream kitchen, the perfect kitchen island can make all the difference. Not only does it provide ample counter space for cooking and prep work, but it also serves as a gathering spot for family and friends to socialize while you cook.
So go ahead and let your dream kitchen island bring in that extra style and functionality you’ve always wanted!
Decorating Ideas for Kitchen Island
There are so many different ways to decorate your kitchen island! Whether it's incorporating more seating or lighting, adding vibrant colors, or incorporating butcher block cutting boards, taking the time to make your kitchen island countertop look beautiful is worth it!
Here are some great decorating ideas for kitchen island countertops to get you inspired!
Potted plants and stacks of plates
I love this look of using a couple of potted plants along with a stack of white plates. The two plants are different heights for some added variety, but the pots (and the plates) are the same color so everything looks cohesive.
Large vase with stems in the middle of kitchen island
An easy way to decorate your kitchen island quickly is to grab a large vase and fill it with large faux stems. Pop it into the middle of your island and voila!
This is a great option if you're on a budget. You can find a large vase, like this, at a thrift store and grab the stems at the craft store with a coupon.
Fresh flowers in a vase with a bowl of fruit
For a very classic kitchen island decoration, try a clear glass vase with some fresh flowers from the grocery store. Put a bowl full of fruit next to it for a practical way to decorate your island countertop.
Dough bowl styled with fruit on kitchen countertop
Dough bowls come in every size, style, and material. Some are hand-scraped and vintage, and others are reproductions. They are such a good staple design piece, and are so versatile in their use!
You can use them on your kitchen island with a variety of fresh fruit.
Cake stand and tray with vase and flowers
While the accessories change frequently in this kitchen, she always uses this marble cake stand and a tray in the middle of her kitchen island. When you have a large island, it’s important to create height and a statement with the decor, so be sure you are using items of different sizes.
Tray with coasters, sugar jar, and vase with faux olive branches
I love the idea of using a tray to create your own kitchen island centerpiece. This round tray looks great and can easily be switched up frequently. Here it is styled with coasters, a sugar jar, and a tall vase with faux olive branches.
Read more to see some other variations. She shares more great ideas for your kitchen island display using this same round tray.
Trio of potted plants on a tray
If you are a plant lover, you will appreciate the pop of green and the touch of life that plants bring to a kitchen island. This kitchen also gets a tremendous amount of natural light, which makes it an ideal place for her plants to grow and thrive.
Rattan tray with vase and tall stems
There are a lot of different types of decorative trays you can use on your kitchen island. I love this large rattan one! It looks great with the large vase and tall stems.
Table runner on kitchen island countertop with tray, candle, and plant
The middle of this kitchen island is grounded with a table runner, which is the perfect addition! On top, she has it styled with a tray, candle, and a plant.
Read more to see a few other ways she decorates the top of her kitchen island. I love the open shelving built into this island for extra storage.
3-tier tray with fruit
One of the best ways to decorate the center of your island is with things that you'll be using in the kitchen anyway - like fruit! I love this wire 3-tier basket, which is perfect for loading up with your favorite fruit.
Rectangular tray with plants
Simply adding a rectangular tray is a great way to decorate your kitchen island. Use one with handles like this, so you can quickly grab it to move it out of the way when needed to create more prep space.
Large galvanized bucket with wiildflowers
I've got a thing for flowers, so you can probably guess that I'm obsessed with this large bucket full of wildflowers.
Wicker basket with silverware organizer and seasonal decorations
If you're looking for the perfect kitchen island idea, you may like this one! She adds a large wicker basket tray to the middle of her island and then layers in decorations that you can swap out for the seasons.
She also keeps a wicker silverware organizer on the tray for easy access. That way your guests won't have to look around in random drawers looking for the silverware.
Round tray with vase and greenery and two candles
This is an idea we've seen repeated a couple of times, so maybe this is a magic formula. It is pretty simple. Just pair a round tray with a vase filled with greenery and add in a candle or two.
Wooden bowl with fruit
A wooden bowl filled with fruit is definitely one of my favorite kitchen island decor ideas! It is so practical and looks great every single time.
Pedestal bowl with candle and cloche with plant
Using a footed bowl or pedestal bowl is a good way to add a little extra character to your candle on the kitchen island. It looks great here with a small indoor plant under a glass cloche, which helps promote humidity for the plant!
Large glass empty canisters with a plant and stacks of plates
If you have a really long island or a larger kitchen, like this, try anchoring both ends of the island with different decorations. This one features large glass empty jars on one end and a plant with a few stacks of plates on the other end.
Large vase with seasonal florals and a small bowl of fruit
Switching out the florals in your vase is a great way to switch up your decorations throughout the seasons. I love this one with fall flowers in it!
The fruit in your fruit bowl can also be switched up seasonally. For example, pears or apples in the fall and lemons in the summer.
DIY cordless lamp on tray with measuring cups and greenery
If you want to add some ambient lighting to your kitchen island, you'll want to go with something cordless so you don't have to worry about covering the cord, of course.
Read more to learn how to make a DIY cordless lamp, like this. Such a great idea! It looks great here with this tray styled with measuring cups and greenery.
Wooden tray with plants, candle, and fruit bowl
I love this wooden tray that is styled with some plants, a candle on a pedestal, and a fruit bowl.
Which of these decorating ideas for your kitchen island is your fave?
