Trend Alert - Kitchen Island Tables

Do you remember when a kitchen table used to be in the middle of the kitchen?  This was the hub where everyone sat to eat and it was the extra surface where vegetables were peeled and pastry was made.  Then we got our fabulous open plan kitchens with a bench return.  This was progress.  That style then evolved into the sleek kitchens of today with a parallel stunning island which runs the length of the space.  With marble waterfall ends and lots of soft close drawers, this style was a cook’s delight.

What is always true in design though, is that old ideas are rehashed and become trends again.  Hence we are starting to see the emergence of a hybrid of a traditional kitchen table and our sleek island benches.  This is my trend alert: kitchen island tables.

What is a kitchen island table?

Imagine a large timber farmhouse table, then add drawers for storage, but don’t take them to the ground, add a marble benchtop and you have a classic kitchen island table.  You still get the storage that you would have in a kitchen island as we know it, but without the sleek design.  This can be a drawback, but in fact the appeal is in this piece of furniture.  That’s because it really is a gorgeous statement piece rather than the classic joinery that you would expect in a kitchen.

There was a time when unfitted kitchens were popular.  You see these in Scandinavia with IKEA selling many of these units.  It’s meant to create a more homely look and is perfect for a country style.  However, fitted joinery is far more popular and also provides you with optimal storage options.  Cleaning is far easier too as you don’t have annoying nooks and crannies for dust to hide in.

With this look though you lose some of the personality in the space which can end up looking a little clinical.  This is where you must consider the styling of your kitchen, so it’s a good idea to add shelving, perhaps in a different finish, wall lights, plate racks, runners and beautiful statement ceramicware pieces.

Related: Kitchen Styling: My 5 top tips

Now, it seems with the introduction of a hybrid table and kitchen island bench, you have another option to stamp your personality onto the room.  I find this look very appealing.  You do lose some of the functionality of a completely fitted out kitchen island, but what you lose, is gained in the unique look of your kitchen.

DeVol Kitchens are stunning and beautifully made. Their ethos is that kitchens should contain furniture pieces, rather than fully fitted joinery.  They will add quirky cupboards in a different finish, plate racks and heirloom pieces and they are leaders in the kitchen island table.  Below is a table in one of their gorgeous showrooms.

This look lends itself perfectly to a transitional style kitchen.

Related: Transitional Style: 7 steps to achieve this look

These are also perfect for an upmarket country style kitchen.

Related: My Guide to Country Style

Of course, you can’t house dishwashers and sinks in the island if you opt for this route, but so many homes now are being built with Butler’s Pantries that you can actually do most of the messy stuff in these.  To be absolutely correct, this is called a scullery, but few of us refer to it as that.

You can opt to have a stone benchtop on your kitchen island table, or it can be made entirely of timber.  The timber islands look absolutely stunning, but I do prefer the marble benchtop for practicality.

One note to remember too is to ensure that you get the table at the height you want as these tend to be a little lower than the standard kitchen benchtop.  You also need to consider the height of bar/counter stools carefully too.

If you love this idea, but just feel you can’t entirely give up your traditional island bench, you can design an island that has the look of the table, but more of the functionality of a fitted island bench.  The one below is a perfect example which I think looks fabulous.

Below are two further examples with timber open shelving at the end of the island that offers more of a freestanding look.

I would love to hear what you think of this trend?  Is this something you would consider for your next kitchen renovation?  Pop me a note in the comments below.

I hope you have found this post inspirational.

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