There's only one thing we at H&G love more than a functional yet good-looking design feature – and that's when it comes in a two. Selena Gomez is the latest celebrity to deliver such a treat, this time in the shape of her double kitchen islands that, together, offer everything she could ever need from her cooking space.
Gomez's kitchen is already no stranger to scrutiny. We've already penned a love letter to her cabinet color and her appliances, but arguably, nothing is quite as good-looking or functional as her double kitchen islands.
In her white kitchen, Gomez is pictured alongside her two islands, the first topped with white marble (best seen from the second photo on the carousel below) and the second with gray.
The first white island appears to be the slightly larger one of the two, offering ample room for food preparation, serving, and eating. There's also a gold faucet to make post-dinner washing up simpler. Alongside the gray-topped island houses a range of appliances, bowls, and plants for decoration.
The appeal behind dual kitchen islands is understandable. We've seen this quirk in an increasing number of homes, including Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's mansion and Kate Hudson's abode, all of which enjoy the same functional benefits as Gomez. It's unsurprising, therefore, that 'multifunctional islands' are among 2024's most significant kitchen trends, as Claudio Corniola, the R&D Director at Laminam, explains.
This trend emphasizes the practicalities of all islands, whether we have the space for two or would rather opt for one versatile piece.
'From extending out into a dining table to bespoke chopping areas and definitive breakfast bar zones, kitchen islands will be more versatile than ever in 2024 and emulate the gastronomical experience found in a luxury restaurant at home,' Corniola says.
'The working triangle is no longer a necessity in kitchen design, and kitchen islands can efficiently incorporate areas for preparation, cooking, washing up and dining. With almost 1.3 million #kitchenisland posts on Instagram, this key kitchen trend is here to stay.'
To ensure our islands continue tapping into the year's top design trends, Corniola recommends investing in 'chunky' surface materials that are ever increasing in popularity.
'Deliberately thick surfaces are perfect for creating a bold impact on a central island or kitchen countertop,' he notes. 'With the usual thickness for a countertop being 12mm, 2024 will see more instances of a 20mm thickness being used, particularly striking when used on a waterfall island.'
Shop the Gomez-inspired edit
Stone aside, we can invest in some kitchen essentials similar to those seen atop Selena's islands. She seems to opt for a certain color scheme...
