4 Storage Ideas For Your Kitchen Island

Designers: Bob Shelton (architect) and Danielle Zimmermann (interior designer), both of Shelton Design/Build
Location: Pittsburgh
Size: 230 square feet (21.3 square meters)

Homeowners’ request: A 16-by-16-foot addition with a new kitchen and mudroom.

Island storage: Cabinets painted coastal blue with a marble-looking quartz countertop. Four glass-front drawers on end with glass cup pulls. The drawers have a false back with storage behind so the homeowners can display colorful fruit, candy, pasta, cookbooks and more.

Other special features: Twelve-foot vaulted ceiling. Stainless steel apron-front sink. Dark stained bamboo wood floor. Custom pine shelves flanking the range hood, which help establish a clear end point for the backsplash tile.

“Uh-oh” moment: During construction, the clients were concerned that the windows were too small and too few. But once the light gray paint was on the walls and the white cabinets were installed, the space felt like it had ample natural light. Pendants with 8-foot-long cords help keep the light unobstructed.

Paint by Sherwin-Williams: March Wind (walls) and Pure White (trim); pendants: Elementary Schoolhouse cord-hung light, Barn Light Electric; flooring: Portfolio in Paris Black, Teragren; countertop: Cambria in Brittannica; cabinets by Medallion Cabinetry: Maple Islander with Coastal finish (base cabinets) and Maple Cottage in white finish (upper cabinets); appliances: Jenn-Air; backsplash tile: South Beach subway in Linto, 3 by 6 inches, Ken Mason Tile; faucet: Beckon single-handle electronic pull-down sprayer in polished nickel, Kohler; range hood: Euro in stainless steel, Cavaliere; island hardware: round glass cup pulls, Restoration Hardware; contractor: Shelton Building Associates; photographer: Laura Petrilla of MissLPhotography

Designers: Hayer Builders Group and Kleen Design
Location: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Size: 144 square feet (13.3 square meters); 16 by 9 feet (4.8 by 2.7 feet)

Island storage: A quartz-topped island features a slim built-in cookbook holder that puts front covers on display. There’s also a wine fridge on the other end of the island.

Other special features: Four-by-12-inch Carrara marble tile backsplash. Laminate flooring that looks like wood. Cutout over the sink that overlooks a downstairs living room.

Perimeter cabinets: Concrete Groovz, Woodgrain TFL collection, Prism; island cabinets: flakeboard flat-panel in Diva, TFL collection, Prism; cabinet hardware: Richelieu; faucet: Moen; flooring: Esperanza II collection in Denia, Beaulieu; pendant lights: C53701MB in matte black, Capitol Lighting Gallery

Designer: Leo Chester of Kerr Construction
Location: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Homeowners’ request: A spacious renovated kitchen that would focus on surrounding mountain views.

Island storage: A 4-by-10-foot rift-cut white oak island is topped with a Caesarstone counter (with pop-up electrical outlets) and bookended by two deep display shelves.

Other special features: Blond wood cabinets. Porcelain tile backsplash.

Designer secret: “With the decision to use glulam beams, we were able to hold the structural loads as well as create a more open space,” designer Leo Chester says.

Bar stools: Scan Design; cabinetry and millwork: HF Custom Cabinets; backsplash tile: Ames Tile & Stone; fridge: Sub-Zero; range: Wolf; hood: Thermador; pendant lights: Norburn Lighting & Bath Centre