Instagram, Pinterest and Interior Magazines are best known for showing you the latest interior design trends, and combining two islands in the heart of the home is the next big thing. We always said our Standon project wouldn’t be the only kitchen with two islands! In the last year, we completed our second project, in another part of the UK – Epping, Essex. If you have the space why not include two islands?! It sounds like a luxurious and bespoke design, but this dreamy idea can soon become a reality in your home with The Handmade Kitchen Company.
Double the function, double the fun, two’s better than one, the power of pairing… A duo with many dedicated idioms, shows you’re onto something good!
Two islands are the ultimate way to combine luxury and practicality in the kitchen and can be designed as one being the ‘working island’ and the other ‘socialising island’. A two-island layout can transform your kitchen into a multifunctional space that balances, cooking, entertaining and everyday living. Research shows that homeowners are thinking of alternative ways to bring more worktop space to their kitchens instead of having one massive island sitting in the middle. In recent years, the two-island concept has become a more appealing and functional design option.
Both of our clients have improved their homes with extensive renovation works and opted for a two-island layout that would offer both practicality and aesthetic appeal to the space.
We have put together a guide below on creating the ultimate stylish and functional space with The Handmade Kitchen Company, and we include some examples from our clients’ designs, including a two-island layout.
The Benefits of Having Two Kitchen Islands
Are you looking to enhance the functionality of your large space? A single island already serves as a versatile addition and centrepiece, but why not opt for two islands to bring even greater flexibility? Two islands give you more area to designate specific tasks, you will see this in our two examples. Double the surface, double the fun! Some benefits include:
Task Areas
One of the islands can be dedicated to food prep and cooking, while the other serves as a dining/entertaining area.
Plenty of Storage
Each island can feature its own storage, including drawers, cabinets, and open shelving.
Social Gathering Spot
A second island can be primarily used as a natural gathering spot for family and friends.
Efficient Workflow
Two islands help manage workflow and foot traffic when the space is bustling with activity.
Zoning is Important
To maximize efficiency, zone the two islands with separate tasks. Each island should serve a specific purpose, allowing the kitchen to operate efficiently while still flowing beautifully.
Food Prep Island
Design the first island near the cooking appliances as the ‘food prep island’ and conjure up the most satisfying meal. This island can include a prep sink, an instant boiling water tap, built-in chopping boards, and bespoke cutlery and utensil drawers. Opt for a hard-wearing worktop such as quartz, so the durable surface can withstand heavy use while still looking sleek and luxurious.
Entertainment Island
The second island can then be designed as a relaxed setting, creating a social gathering spot for friends and family to come together and generate beautiful memories. For example, it could include bar stools, a wine fridge, or a hidden pop-up socket. Use it as the focal point of your kitchen for casual dining or a place for guests to gather while you prepare meals.
I mean you could have both islands for entertaining! Your kitchen will become the perfect venue for social gatherings.
- Social hub – The first island could be a social space complete with bar stools, allowing the guests to chat with one another while you prepare food on the other island. Having a setup like this keeps everyone engaged and together.
- Hosting – The second island can be dedicated to drinks and appetizers, improving the flow of guests moving through the kitchen, and making it easier to serve and replenish dishes.
Complement Your Island with Beautiful Materials
Many different types of materials will complement each island and offer durability. Although islands are a beautiful centrepiece, they are also a high-use area, so opting for materials that combine beauty with strength is the perfect choice, and we recommend it.
Worktops
Quartz or granite worktops are popular choices and are hard-wearing and durable surfaces that are heat and scratch-resistant. To tie in with a more traditional look, you could add a natural butcher’s block to bring warmth and texture, this could also be risen to provide a different height seating area.
Cabinetry
Paint the cabinets in neutral tones like soft grey or beige, or create a dramatic island with a deep blue or black to make it get the attention it deserves. Opting for natural oak offers a more rustic, country-inspired feel, and is ideal to complement against exposed wooden beams. The design is totally up to you, choose the same cabinetry finish for both, or opt for a contrast with each island being hand-painted in different hues to define their function.
Lighting
Suspend pendant lighting above each island to bring ambience and task lighting to the space. There are many pendant fixtures, such as sleek, minimalistic designs for modern kitchens to vintage-style chained pendants for a more classic look. Choose stylish fixtures to enhance your overall design theme.
Add Appliances and Storage
A kitchen island with appliances can transform your cooking space, enhancing both its functionality and style and making daily tasks easier. Incorporate built-in features like a hob, sink, storage drawers and cabinets to add effectiveness to the sturdy structure without taking up precious countertop space.
A Built-In Hob
Add a built-in hob to one of the islands for easy access, keeping cooking in the centre of the action. Whether your style is a streamlined induction hob or a traditional gas hob, each hob design will take centre stage and provide a luxurious cooking space.
A Secondary/Prep Sink
Design a secondary sink area in the kitchen with one integrated into the island. The second sink can become a prep sink or for washing hands without crossing over to the main kitchen sink.
Storage Solutions Amongst Drawers and Cabinets
Bespoke cabinetry and drawers allow you to design storage for kitchen tools and gadgets, ensuring everything has its place. Amongst the solid wooden island, the drawers and cabinets can be darted around all sides to provide beautifully handcrafted extra storage solutions.
Integrated Appliances
The entertaining island could include a wine cooler near the seating area, while the prep island can be designed with an under-counter fridge and a microwave for convenience, a dishwasher to keep the kitchen clutter-free, and even a built-in recycling bin to make clean-up easy.
The Layout and Space is Important
While two islands are ideal for larger kitchens, having two in a medium-sized space can also work well through thoughtful planning. There has to be enough space between the islands and surrounding elements to allow for easy movement when multiple people are working or walking through the space. The recommended measurement is 1.2m between each island and other cabinetry, worktops or appliances.
The layout of the two kitchen islands is important to align with the kitchen triangle – the three points, the sink, hob and fridge. Ideally one of the islands needs to be placed in the kitchen’s workflow to maintain efficiency.
Create Two Islands That Feel Cohesive
When creating the two-island kitchen layout, the overall design needs to feel cohesive. This means that each of the islands that are designed for their different purposes needs to fit within the larger aesthetic picture.
- Symmetry – Create a balanced layout making sure the kitchen does not feel cramped or unbalanced.
- Colour Palette – Having a consistent colour palette throughout the space allows everything to tie in together. If your ideal kitchen has contrasting islands, make sure the different finishes complement each other and the rest of the kitchen space.
- Flow – Consider how each island interacts with the surrounding space and the flow between the islands, cabinetry and appliances is natural and easy to navigate.
Our Two-Island Projects
Nazeing Project
Working in a stunning grand country house with plenty of space, a dual delight was designed into the layout. This meant two stunning islands would take centre stage, serving multiple purposes and bringing a sense of warmth to the room with the natural oak.
Island One became the working island, a place to prep and features a Franke built-in sink and Quooker Classic Fusion Square in Patintated Brass to match the rest of the surroundings. Also, adding to the prep function are the large worktops and the integrated recycling bin. Island Two acts as the socialising space, where six guests can come together and chat over a glass of wine. It also includes a pop-up socket, bespoke cutlery and utensil drawers, deep pan drawers and curved end cabinetry.
An open-plan space that has been revitalised into something very special!
Standon Project
This is our modern shaker where it meets a traditional art house in Standon, Herts. This design concept was planned to include a two-island kitchen layout, offering the space with different functions and zoning off each end of the room.
Island One closest to the outdoors, forms a cooking area with a Miele Induction Hob in a sleek black finish, plenty of storage drawers and cupboards below, a vast amount of Quartz worktop space and a glass-fronted cupboard to show off our client’s favourite china. Island Two is closest to the front of the house and has been designed for prepping. The design includes chunky legs, an open space at the bottom with wooden slats and convenient storage drawers on either side. Prep your ingredients on the spacious work surface of Island Two, then easily move just a few feet over to Island One to start cooking.
The whole space has been hand-painted in a deep dark blue – Hague Blue from Farrow & Ball. Other features of the cabinetry include ‘Butt’ hinges to give the furniture a traditional touch, and the front frame is flat with no bead, in-framed and shallow.
With careful planning, attention to detail and a clear purpose for each of the islands, The Handmade Kitchen Company can help you create your dream kitchen with this design trend. Maximise your workspace, improve traffic flow, and create an inviting spot to gather, two’s better than one! Contact us today for this best-of-both-world layout – we look forward to hearing from you.