7 Unique Kitchen Island Design Ideas

Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen or building a new construction home, there’s one kitchen design trend you can count on to never go out of style. You guessed it — kitchen islands. The best part? With an experienced custom cabinet maker at your side, you can add functional features that take your kitchen island design to the next level.

See some of our favorite kitchen island design ideas below!

Best Kitchen Island Design Ideas

1. Charging Drawer

Tired of tangled charging cables cluttering up your kitchen counters? A dedicated charging drawer offers a safe place to store devices and keeps messy, tangled cords contained.

2. Mixer Lift

If you love to bake, you know how heavy a stand mixer can be. Incorporating a built-in mixer lift into your kitchen island design is a lifesaver! The custom-designed kitchen island cabinet features a drawer that lifts up and out, making it easy to store and access your stand mixer. It can also be used for other small appliances, from air fryers to blenders and food processors.

3. Paper Towel Dispenser

Paper towels are a must for kitchen cleanup, but they can be an eyesore on the counter. A built-in paper towel dispenser allows you to keep them out of sight without hindering your access. You can also save space by storing extra rolls in the dispenser drawer.

4. Beer Tap

If you want to add a twist to the typical beverage fridge and wine rack storage, consider outfitting your kitchen island with a beer tap. With a built-in beer tap, your favorite brew is just one perfect pour away. Not much of a beer drinker? Keep cold brew or nitro coffee on draft instead! 

5. Laptop Ledge

A kitchen island has multiple uses. It provides a place to sit and chat over coffee, write a grocery list, help the kids complete homework assignments, and more. Adding a narrow open shelf below the kitchen island countertop offers a place to store laptops, tablets, and other electronics. Outlets at the back ensure everything stays charged and ready to use.

6. Pet Food Station

Don’t forget about your furry friend when putting together your list of kitchen island design ideas! A built-in pet food station is the perfect addition to a pet-friendly home. The recessed space houses food and water bowls so you never have to worry about sloshing water or tripping over a food dish again. You can also add a pullout drawer to hold extra pet food or toys.

7. Removable Cutting Board

Cutting boards are a kitchen staple. Although you could stuff them inside a drawer or cabinet, there is another option: a built-in kitchen island cutting board.

This kitchen island design idea makes food prep a breeze. It extends the usable space of the kitchen island, allows you to move prepped ingredients from the island to the range, and makes it easy to dispose of trimmings in the trash or garbage disposal. Depending on the style of your island, the removable cutting board can be inset or operate as a pullout. The choice is yours!

Custom Kitchen Cabinets in Minneapolis, MN & Nearby

Dreaming of a more functional kitchen? Artisan Cabinet Company can help! When it comes to kitchen island design ideas, we have them in spades! Our dedicated team can design and build custom cabinets of all types, ensuring your cabinetry suits your needs and elevates your home’s style. We can even design, build, and install custom shelving, millwork, and furniture.

When you’re ready to get started on your custom cabinet project, contact our team at (612) 306-4064 or trent@artisancabinetco.com to schedule a consultation. In the meantime, be sure to check out our project gallery for even more kitchen island design ideas!

We proudly serve Minnesota homeowners in the Greater Chanhassen and the Twin Cities West Metro area, including Minneapolis, Plymouth, Eden Prairie, Chaska, Shorewood, Minnetonka, Edina, Excelsior, Wayzata, and nearby.