7 Amazing Features for Your Farmhouse Kitchen Island

Are you dreaming of a beautiful farmhouse kitchen island? A kitchen island is the centerpiece that brings charm and function to your farmhouse kitchen. This guide shares 7 must-have features to make your farmhouse kitchen island amazing!

A farmhouse kitchen style is a design aesthetic that reflects the rustic charm and cozy, welcoming atmosphere of rural farmhouses. This style is characterized by its use of natural materials, vintage or antique elements, and a blend of both practical and decorative features.

1. Repurpose with Creativity

Get creative when designing your farmhouse kitchen island! Look for old furniture like dressers or tables that you can repurpose into a one-of-a-kind island. Use reclaimed wood from barns or pallets for the counter. Add shelves from salvaged materials like metal grates or pipes. Repurposing old items adds so much character.

You can also use reclaimed wood from old barns, shipping pallets or fencing for the thick countertop surface. The knots, nail holes and color variations in the salvaged wood will make your island look like it’s been around for decades. Get scrappy by incorporating other salvaged materials too, like metal grates or pipes for open shelving underneath the island counter. Mixing repurposed vintage and industrial elements is what gives farmhouse style its warmth and timeless appeal. Repurposing and upcycling old items is also an environmentally-friendly choice.

2. Shop Fitting Style

Take direct inspiration from old-fashioned mercantile and shop fittings when designing the functional elements of your farmhouse kitchen island. Wood and metal accents reminiscent of vintage general stores will give you that classic look. Add thick wood shelves with sturdy metal brackets and railings underneath for open display storage. You can stock the shelves with dishes, cookbooks, baskets and other kitchen items.

Another idea is to install S-shaped metal brackets along the sides of the island to hang racks for displaying your most frequently used pots, pans and utensils – just like they did in old-world kitchen shops. A large vintage chalkboard mounted on the side can serve as a message center too. These traditional shop fitting touches make your farmhouse kitchen island charming and extremely practical.

3. Pendant Task Lighting

Hanging pendant lights is a must to properly illuminate your farmhouse kitchen island’s work surface for food prep tasks. But these fixtures also provide an opportunity to make a statement with your lighting. Vintage-inspired pendants with brass, copper or black finishes complement farmhouse style beautifully. Or you could go for more modern, streamlined pendant designs in brushed nickel or pewter finishes.

No matter which style you choose, having two or three pendants spaced out evenly above the island will ensure balanced lighting coverage. Add dimmer switches so you can control the ambiance too – keeping it bright for meal prep but dimming the lights for casual dining and entertaining. With the right pendant lights, your farmhouse kitchen island becomes an eye-catching focal point day and night.

4. The Right Scale

The proper scale and proportions for your farmhouse kitchen are important. It should be large enough to serve as a dedicated workspace and dining area without overwhelming the rest of the room. Like leaving 36-42 inches of clearance space around the island is recommended for easy traffic flow.

As for the island’s size itself, a good rule of thumb is having a total surface area of around 8-10 square feet per person using the island. So for a family of 4-5, you’d want an island workspace of around 32-50 square feet. A rectangular shape from 3×6 feet to 4×8 feet would work well, or you could do a 5×5 foot square format. The size should make sense to your kitchen’s footprint and cabinet layout. Taking precise measurements first is key to having a farmhouse kitchen island that fits nicely.

5. Double-Duty Design

When it comes to farmhouse kitchen islands, the more functions the better! Design your island to serve multiple purposes by incorporating smart built-in organizational features. Open shelving cubbies are perfect for stashing everything from cookbooks to potted herbs. Building in a wine rack along one side keeps bottles dust-free and in easy reach.

For family eating areas, adding a raised breakfast bar counter overhang along one side provides extra casual seating. Or you could extend part of the island with a smaller counter height section to create a dedicated dining nook. Install a butcher-block table extension that can fold out or tuck away as needed. With clever double-duty design elements, your farmhouse kitchen island becomes an all-in-one workstation, storage hub, and gathering spot.

6. Color Blocking

Use contrasting colors on your island to make it a focal point. Paint the base one bold shade and the counter a lighter color, or vice versa. Color blocking adds depth, personality, and pulls your farmhouse decor together.

7. Curved Bar Space

Add a curved bar space to your farmhouse kitchen island for a fun, innovative touch! This creates an inviting spot to gather with friends and family.

The curved shape also gives your island unique visual interest.

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By including creative repurposing, shop fitting style, pendant task lighting, the right scale, double-duty design, color blocking, and curved bar space, your farmhouse kitchen island will be stunning. Let these 7 features inspire you as you plan the centerpiece of your dream farmhouse kitchen!