Sage Cottage Architects

  • Interiors
    • Bathrooms
    • Kitchens
  • Design
    • Living Small
    • Old Houses
  • Exteriors
    • Decorating
  • Granny Flats
  • Construction
You are here: Home / Interiors / Design Inspiration: 15 Kitchen Islands with Display Shelves

Design Inspiration: 15 Kitchen Islands with Display Shelves

Interiors· Kitchens· Planning and Design

24 Sep

Kitchen islands are a great place to show off a special collection.

Have you ever noticed the lack of “stuff” in a designer photo of a kitchen? There are usually three ubiquitous things in the entire kitchen: a knife block, a bowl of fruit, and a plant. That’s it. While that’s fine for a photo, I’m pretty sure that’s not reality for most people.

Wooden cabinet with white tableware and wine glasses

We spend so much time in our kitchens, and the counters are usually a drop zone for “stuff” as you come into the house.  It can be a constant battle to keep the kitchen clutter-free. Since we replaced the counters, I make more of an effort to keep the clutter at bay. But still the clutter accumulates. Currently, my kitchen counter has a lamp waiting to be rewired, some lamp parts, a spaghetti squash, mail, and a large calendar that needs to be hung on the wall, along with all the regular clutter.

With diligence, you can keep your kitchen counters clutter-free. But, what about your special collection of turkey soup tureens or Aunt Glady’s jadeite? We collect these kinds of things, and then put them in a cabinet and only bring them out on “special occasions”. That doesn’t make a lot of sense. Why not put them on display?

Kitchen Islands

There are a lot of things to consider when designing a new island. We all want to jump to the fun stuff – the cabinet color and the countertop – but there are a lot of decisions to be made before that. Some things to consider:

  • Will a sink or appliances, such as a dishwasher or wine cooler, be part of the island?
  • Will there be cabinet storage space on both sides?
  • Style – cabinetry or furniture? A mobile or stationary island?
  • Will there be seating? How many seats?
  • Will the island have two levels – a prep level and an eating level? Or all one?
  • Is there a special collection you want to show off?

By incorporating display shelves in a kitchen island, you have a chance to showcase your collection. Take a scroll through this Houzz Ideabook of fifteen kitchen islands, from traditional to modern style, with display shelves.

Kitchen Islands with Display Shelves

I hope this Ideabook inspires you to include some kind of display shelves in your kitchen island.
Be sure to pin this for later –
Collage of wooden cabinet shelves with white tableware and wine glasses that would be perfect for kitchen islands.
Please share!

About Lori

Lori is a licensed architect, and has specialized in residential, commercial and industrial building projects. She lives out in the sticks of Central Illinois with her brilliant husband, three wonderful teens, and two cats of questionable intelligence.

« Space Saving Appliances That Are Perfect for a Granny Pod
12 Awesome Storage Ideas for Granny Flats »

welcome to

Sage Cottage Architects

We are Lori and Kim, licensed architects who took a few years off from our professional careers to raise our families. Sage Cottage Architects explores our passion for residential architecture and environmentally friendly design. We aim to make beautiful spaces accessible to everyone.

subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive home decor, planning and design content.

Latest Articles

Pantone Color of the Year 2021: Two Hopeful Optimistic Colors

How to Easily Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like A Pro in 15 Steps

What is Living In Place? The 3 Important Principles We All Need in Our Homes

Wellborn Cabinets – What Style is Your Dream Kitchen?

3 Easy Tips for Decorating with the 2021 Color of the Year

Categories

  • Adventures in Architecture
  • Bathrooms
  • Decorating
  • Decorating
  • Exteriors
  • Granny Flats
  • Home Construction
  • Interiors
  • Kitchens
  • Living Small
  • Old Houses
  • Planning and Design




Disclaimer

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

—

Information

  • Home
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Get social with us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Looking for something?

Copyright © 2023 · Sage Cottage Architects · Log in