When you hear “kitchen island” I wonder if your mind goes straight to sprawling slabs of real estate in dreamily spacious kitchens with seating, spacious meal prep area, secondary sinks, and room to hang out and finish homework. I study and research fantasy kitchens nearly everyday, so…guilty! Today’s lineup of Beautiful Kitchen Island Ideas & Work Tables may strike you as “alternative” inspiration in nature since these kitchen islands are not bespoke masterpieces painstakingly rendered with help from seasoned professionals.
No, m’am.
Instead you will spy ready-made furniture pieces to order in a few clicks and in most cases, humble budget-friendly designs which are inexpensive enough to customize further to your liking. Make sure you see this story too about kitchen carts to help small spaces.
These kitchen islands, kitchen carts, and work tables vary in price and style (although most are decidedly country style design since I gravitate toward that genre) and offer alternatives to matchy-matchy or pricey custom designed kitchen islands.
If you have ever built a home and designed a kitchen from scratch yourself or with a designer, then you are well aware how many thousands of dollars a kitchen island or work table costs.
This kitchen island (design: Lisa Furey) is painted BM Pashmina
Even the simplest wood construction, drawers, shelves, and cupboards add up quickly. Then the price of the countertop comes into play!
I was inspired to look at the options out there after glimpsing this inspiring kitchen (Maison Decor) in Nora Murphy’s amazing BOOK HERE.
In Amy Chalmer’s sweet, petite, and chic kitchen in Boston, a vintage tole chandelier floats above an island with curvy romantic detailing. Open shelves above the stove hold collected vintage treasures of green. Gingham-check curtains sing with French countryside charm and softly frame the view of a lovely garden. Nora Murphy’s Country House Style: Making Your Home a Country House by Nora Murphy with Deborah Golden. Photography: DuAnne Simon. Vendome, 2018.
Whether You Rent or Own!
Here’s an option that could be permanent or temporary if budget is an issue: a kitchen island purchased separately from your kitchen cabinetry.
My industrial steel cart before I gave it a coat of chalk paint and a quartz top.
You may recall that over the summer, I found a sweet wonky steel industrial cart for our own little kitchen. We truly needed more work space (anything we could get!), and I had hung on to a salvaged piece of quartz from the sink cut-out when our quartz countertops were fabricated.
When I bumped into the perfectly proportioned, just right vintage, beat-up cart with a top the correct size for the quartz…we suddenly had a sweet little spot to make a sandwich or whip up a batter.
Words from the author. Nora Murphy Country Style to Inspire…because beautiful country style interior design is not one size fits all! Certainly lovely indeed.
The bonus? So much personality!
When Budget is a Priority
Massive kitchens with huge stone-topped islands are wonderful to live with – I loved ours in our prior home – but for down-sized kitchens or kitchen designs that call for something more charming and unfitted – there are lovely options out there that won’t break the bank.
Viatera Minuet quartz for countertops in our kitchen
Whether you are in the market now for a kitchen island or work table for your kitchen or will be in the future, this parade of pretty options may come in handy.
Rustic and Distressed Console Table: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, and kitchen cart as well as prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project…certainly lovely indeed! Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and also traditional kitchens. Whatever the style or size, there is certainly a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
I love helping you find beautiful decor and furniture options – thanks for using the affiliate links in this post which won’t cost you extra yet may earn me a small commission.
Kitchen Island Ideas Under $200
French Style Kitchen Island with Wood Top & Open Shelf: FIND HERE. Whether you need kitchen island ideas on a budget, kitchen island ideas for a small kitchen, or kitchen island decorating ideas, consider these lovely carts, consoles, and tables for inspiration!
Stainless Steel Top Small Kitchen Cart: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, and kitchen cart as well as prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project…certainly lovely indeed! Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and also traditional kitchens. Whatever the style or size, there is certainly a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
French Country Distressed White Console Table: FIND HERE. Whether you need kitchen island ideas on a budget, kitchen island ideas for a small kitchen, or kitchen island decorating ideas, consider these lovely carts, consoles, and tables for inspiration!
Rustic Style Kitchen Island Ideas
Granite Topped Kitchen Island: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, and kitchen cart as well as prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project…certainly lovely indeed! Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and also traditional kitchens. Whatever the style or size, there is certainly a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
Grey Loveliness
Kitchen Island With Bin Pulls: FIND HERE. Whether you need kitchen island ideas on a budget, kitchen island ideas for a small kitchen, or kitchen island decorating ideas, consider these lovely carts, consoles, and tables for inspiration!
Butcher Block Topped Kitchen Island: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, and kitchen cart as well as prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project…certainly lovely indeed! Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and also traditional kitchens. Whatever the style or size, there is certainly a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
Distressed Kitchen Island: FIND HERE. Whether you need kitchen island ideas on a budget, kitchen island ideas for a small kitchen, or kitchen island decorating ideas, consider these lovely carts, consoles, and tables for inspiration!
Cottage Style
Two Shelf Kitchen Island: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, and kitchen cart as well as prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project…certainly lovely indeed! Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and also traditional kitchens. Whatever the style or size, there is certainly a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
Drawers Galore!
Lexington Kitchen Island: FIND HERE. Whether you need kitchen island ideas on a budget, kitchen island ideas for a small kitchen, or kitchen island decorating ideas, consider these lovely carts, consoles, and tables for inspiration!
42″ Ebony Kitchen Island: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, and kitchen cart as well as prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project…certainly lovely indeed! Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and also traditional kitchens. Whatever the style or size, there is certainly a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
Kitchen Island with Granite Top: FIND HERE. Whether you need kitchen island ideas on a budget, kitchen island ideas for a small kitchen, or kitchen island decorating ideas, consider these lovely carts, consoles, and tables for inspiration!
French Country Kitchen Island Ideas
Wood Top Kitchen Island with Drawers: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, and kitchen cart as well as prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project…certainly lovely indeed! Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and also traditional kitchens. Whatever the style or size, there is certainly a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
Black Kitchen Island: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, and kitchen cart as well as prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project…certainly lovely indeed! Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and also traditional kitchens. Whatever the style or size, there is certainly a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
47″ Granite Top Kitchen Island: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, and kitchen cart as well as prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project…certainly lovely indeed! Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and also traditional kitchens. Whatever the style or size, there is certainly a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
Stainless Kitchen Work Table Ideas
49″ Basic Stainless Steel Top Workbench: FIND HERE.
Stainless Steel Top Kitchen Island: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, and kitchen cart as well as prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project…certainly lovely indeed! Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and also traditional kitchens. Whatever the style or size, there is certainly a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
Stainless Kitchen Cart with Bamboo Top: FIND HERE.
If Navy Blue Floats Your Boat
Navy Kitchen Cart with Stainless Steel Top: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, and kitchen cart as well as prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project…certainly lovely indeed! Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and also traditional kitchens. Whatever the style or size, there is certainly a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
Stainless Steel Top Workbench with Casters: FIND HERE.
48″ Adjustable Height Stainless Steel Top Workbench: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, kitchen cart, and prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project. Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and traditional kitchens…whatever the style or size, there is a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
Butcher Block Kitchen Island
Rouge et Noir American Cherry Wood Prep Table: FIND HERE.
Whimsical Kitchen or Console Idea
Green Console Table: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, kitchen cart, and prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project. Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and traditional kitchens…whatever the style or size, there is a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Island Ideas
X Detail Country Kitchen Island: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, kitchen cart, and prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project. Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and traditional kitchens…whatever the style or size, there is a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
White Kitchen Island With Bin Pull Hardware: FIND HERE. Traditional kitchen design inspiration: ideas for kitchen island, kitchen work table, kitchen cart, and prep tables. Inexpensive kitchen islands to consider for your kitchen project. Alternatives to custom kitchen island cabinetry when you want a charming unfitted look or a complementary fixture for your country style kitchen. Cottage kitchens, farmhouse kitchens, modern country kitchens, classic kitchens, French country kitchens, transitional kitchens, and traditional kitchens…whatever the style or size, there is a perfect kitchen work table, kitchen cart, or kitchen island! Beautiful Kitchen Island & Work Table Ideas: FIND MORE OPTIONS HERE.
DO YOU HAVE A CART, TABLE, OR ISLAND WORKING WELL IN YOUR OWN KITCHEN? Do tell.
In personal news, ONE MORE SLEEP ‘TIL LONDON! So excited to get there, see some historical sites and museums, sip tea, be inspired by architecture, and network at Amara’s Interior Blog Award ceremony. It will be fun to live like a local since we’re staying at an apartment in Holland Park/Notting Hill.
Do let me know if you have suggestions for places to go and loveliness to see!
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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I love the look of a wooden island. There are so many options to create another workspace.
My island is built in but is painted a different colour than my soft white kitchen, giving the appearance of a piece of furniture. It has become a gathering place when company is visiting. Plentiful drinks and appys, along with animated conversations, make it our happening place. My hubby & I even eat our meals there now, perched on comfy stools with a view to the back garden. I love an island and would not have a kitchen without one.
Ooooh I love your description of a happening place – a gathering place – and what sounds like the heart of the kitchen. You truly know how to enhance the everyday, friend, and I’m so happy to hear about the lovely secrets. xox
I’m obsessed with this island and the kitchen in general! Any idea where I can find those pendant lights above the island or how I can go about searching for them?
I love the look of a wooden island. There are so many options to create another workspace.
My island is built in but is painted a different colour than my soft white kitchen, giving the appearance of a piece of furniture. It has become a gathering place when company is visiting. Plentiful drinks and appys, along with animated conversations, make it our happening place. My hubby & I even eat our meals there now, perched on comfy stools with a view to the back garden. I love an island and would not have a kitchen without one.
Author
Ooooh I love your description of a happening place – a gathering place – and what sounds like the heart of the kitchen. You truly know how to enhance the everyday, friend, and I’m so happy to hear about the lovely secrets. xox
I’m obsessed with this island and the kitchen in general! Any idea where I can find those pendant lights above the island or how I can go about searching for them?
Author
Can you clarify which kitchen island you are referring to? Thanks!