The feature at the heart of most kitchens, 2025's kitchen island trends really focus on creating a functional yet endlessly stylish and comfortable space. Warm materials, cozy corners, and textural design are all having a moment this year.
Whether you're planning a remodel or just want to update your kitchen island, taking cues from current kitchen trends is a great way to create a space that feels timeless with a stylish edge.
And this year's kitchen island trends really don't disappoint. We've turned to designers to discover the most exciting designs for the year ahead – there's a trend to suit every space and style.
12 kitchen island trends to try in 2025
Your kitchen island is the perfect place to experiment with color, texture, and daring design. The beauty of kitchen island trends is that they vary from subtle details to statement pieces, so there's something to inspire everyone.
1. Rustic, country kitchen islands
This year, kitchen island trends will focus more on the materials than the shape. While sleek, polished stone has dominated in past years, 2025 is all about embracing natural, rustic designs that pay homage to the country kitchen.
‘Visual appeal will always be key within any room. Yes, we want functional kitchens but also kitchens that look the part. When designing a kitchen island, you need to think about what material to use on the counter,’ says Alex Main, director of The Main Company.
‘Natural and rustic materials are growing in popularity for use on kitchen island tops, bringing warmth and connection to nature. These options pair beautifully in more traditional and country style homes, making the kitchen feel inviting and grounded.’
2. Casual island seating
The kitchen is a room that continually evolves, and trends are constantly seeking new ways to add additional coziness and comfort. So you might not be surprised to hear that more casual seating is at the top of the list of kitchen island trends for 2025.
‘The trend for incorporating more casual, cozy seating spaces in kitchen islands has become a key part of kitchen design for a lot of homeowners,’ explains Emily Pickett, designer at Kitchens by Holloways.
‘Whilst a few years ago, the focus was mainly on bar stools on islands, we have noticed a shift in the desire for more casual, intimate spaces being incorporated into the design - think banquette seats, upholstered seats, and even sofa areas becoming integrated into the overall design of the kitchen island.’
3. Make kitchen island storage the key focus
We always like to think about the aesthetic elements when designing a kitchen island, but we can’t forget about the more practical things, too. And one of the main benefits of a kitchen island is storage, something this year’s trends are really focusing on.
‘It’s all about maximizing storage efficiency in 2025 and one of the best qualities of a kitchen island is the additional storage it provides. Installing deep cabinets and drawers allows plenty of space to store pots, pans, utensils, and other kitchen gadgets for cooking,’ says Jessica Inglis, consumer & retail marketing manager at Second Nature.
‘Alternatively, look to install everyday features and personal touches, such as a built-in wine rack, rubbish bin, or open shelving to display cookbooks and other decorative pieces with ease,’ she suggests.
4. Connecting cooking and dining
Not everyone has space for a sofa or large banquette seating space connected to their kitchen island. But to still create a cozy atmosphere while connecting your cooking and dining spaces, simpler seating styles will remain on-trend into 2025.
‘The kitchen island is no longer just a functional element; it has transformed into an oversized, multi-purpose centerpiece – the true heart of the home. Beyond cooking, these islands are designed for gathering, displaying, and styling. By treating them as statement pieces rather than matching them to the kitchen joinery, they add depth and personality to the space,’ says Tori Young, associate director of interior design at HollandGreen.
‘As formal dining rooms become less common, there is a natural progression toward designs that integrate expansive kitchen islands with dining areas. Both practical and comfortable, these designs create inviting, lived-in spaces where cooking and connection coexist. They reflect our desire for warmth, versatility, and an effortless sense of style.’
5. Reeded kitchen islands
Kitchens filled with smooth, sleek materials and finishes can feel stark, but texture is a go-to way to create a softer, more inviting space. And the island is a great place to add something unexpected to your design.
‘In 2025, we’re witnessing a significant shift in kitchen island design. Reeding, which was previously used as an accent feature in smaller areas of the kitchen, such as behind the sink, has now moved onto larger, more central pieces. Reeding is an excellent way to elevate practical areas of the kitchen that are often overlooked,’ says Charlie Smallbone, founder at Ledbury Studio.
‘In our latest project, the island features a reeded surround and a stunning Diamond Quartzite top. This eye-catching island, which houses the kitchen sink and a breakfast bar for casual dining, serves as both a functional workspace and a social centerpiece.’
6. Waterfall kitchen island countertops
Some kitchen island trends remain popular and ever-enduring. So, if you’re looking for something striking yet still timeless, waterfall kitchen island countertops are a design style you’ll want to try.
‘Waterfall worktops are a great look and proving more and more popular for 2025. This wraps the island and really grounds it within the kitchen making a real statement of the island block,’ says Jayne Everett, creative designer at Naked Kitchens.
You can make your island the focal point by using a stone on your island that contrasts with the rest of your countertops, or create a cohesive, seamless design with one stone throughout your scheme.
7. Wood kitchen islands
If you stay up to date with kitchen trends, you’ll know that wooden kitchen cabinets have been making a strong comeback recently. As this natural material becomes a firm favorite in kitchen design, it’s time to think about bringing it onto the island.
‘Timber is really making a comeback and we are loving seeing more clients embrace the choice of timber for their islands. Either for the whole island surface or to break the large island up into different zones such as prep or bar,’ says Jayne.
A dark wood kitchen island is a timeless way to add contrast to a kitchen with painted cabinets. In this kitchen, a wooden kitchen island topped with a beautiful marble countertop becomes the focal point of the scheme. Wood shelving and cladding elsewhere ensure the island remains cohesive with the rest of the design.
8. Glazed doors on islands
Glass-fronted kitchen cabinets had a revival in 2024, offering an alternative to open shelving and also the option of bringing in a vintage-inspired element. But this style is evolving this year, with glass doors on kitchen islands expected to prove popular.
‘Incorporating glazed cabinetry doors onto an island scheme is super popular for 2025. Reeded glass can be used to disguise the contents or the interior can be painted to introduce a pop of playful colour. Beautiful and practical, always a winning combination,’ says Jayne.
This kitchen island is a perfect example of how stylish this trend can be. While the wall cabinets feature clear glass doors, the glazed doors on the island have reeded or fluted glass, which adds a decorative touch while keeping clutter hidden.
9. Kitchen islands that look like traditional tables
The year ahead is all about making the kitchen feel more homely and sociable. One way to do this is to create a kitchen island that has ample seating and feels like a traditional kitchen table.
'A kitchen island trend I see growing in 2025 is the dual-purpose kitchen island that feels like a cozy piece of furniture, but performs like a functional workhorse, hiding pull-outs for trash, an extra oven or microwave, a beverage fridge, drawers with ventilation for storing vegetables and more,' says Julia Chasman, of Julia Chasman Design.
'This bespoke island is made of red oak, and has large turned legs on the seating side, with a low open shelf for pots and pans that look pretty and are used often. This side is open to view and looks like a French country kitchen table. The other side of the island is the "business side" – with the trash, extra oven, and other practical features more hidden but close to the sink for convenience.'
10. Integrated details for practical usage
Modern-day living is all about multi-functional spaces, and the kitchen often serves as a space for more than just cooking and eating. As such, it's handy to think about the smaller details before any redesigns or renovations.
'Kitchen islands are no longer just cooking spaces; they are transforming into versatile hubs for dining, food preparation, and even work, complete with built-in charging stations,' says Kriste Michelini, owner and founder at Kriste Michelini Interiors.
'The integration of technology in kitchen islands, including charging stations and smart appliances, is making these spaces more user-friendly and convenient,' she adds.
11. Kitchen island storage dedicated to personal items
As our kitchens become more sociable, lived-in spaces, try to create an area for the belongings that are associated with leisure and bring us joy, such as books, whether that be recipe books or novels, and family games. Kitchen shelving makes sense for this, however, you can use a kitchen island to add some character to a kitchen.
'Decorating with books in a family room or living room add so much warmth on a coffee table or bookshelves, but in a kitchen, it is hard to find the right place for them,' says Alexandra Kaehler, founder of Alexandra Kaehler Design. 'In this kitchen, we dedicated space in the island to storing cookbooks for easy access and also a bit of a lived-in touch.'
12. Mixing materials
The kitchen is often one of the largest spaces in a home, so adding warmth and interest is a priority for many designers this year. The kitchen island is an ideal space for this as the eye is naturally drawn to it. Consider mixing different materials as a way to introduce warmer tones and a sense of depth to the room.
'The floorplan in this home is very open, so the kitchen is one of the first things you see. As a result, we infused functional elements with as much beauty as possible' explains Paloma Contreras, interior designer and founder at Paloma Contreras Design.
'The mix of materials, such as Texas white oak flooring and reclaimed oak beams on the ceiling, imbues the kitchen with warmth while maintaining a clean-lined, contemporary aesthetic. While the perimeter kitchen countertops are clad in Calacatta Statuario marble slabs, the workhorse waterfall island was fabricated in a crisp white quartz that is nearly indestructible. The white oak paneling beneath the island adds warmth and dimension.'
Kitchen island trends for 2025 really vary from statement waterfall countertops to fluted details and stylish storage. Each design trend focuses on blending style and function, creating a kitchen that feels cozy and warm.
