Mismatched kitchen islands and cabinetry seriously up the style quotient in your eating space. How? Finishing a kitchen island in a different color from the main cabinetry, in a hue that either complements or contrasts, lends a custom look in a room that's all too often overly matchy-matchy.
Going with a mismatched island in a daring shade that infuses a pop of color lets you experiment without fully committing (or going overboard). It's also quite practical, as seen in these images from Ali Schwarz Design Group, Elle Decor, JAS Design Build, and House Beautiful.
White is the classic kitchen color of choice, but when it comes to the island, which gets a lot of wear and tear, it rarely remains pristine. Opting for a kitchen island in a darker, more versatile wood tone, just makes sense.
Hayley Hayes and Tracey Leeson of Brisbane-based interior design firm Porchlight Interiors strive for a timeless, classic style with a modern twist. That is certainly the case in this black and white kitchen. The black island grounds the white space, while its white marble countertop keeps it from becoming weighed down. Stylish black pendant lights punctuate the white walls. The result is crisp and clean, and upkeep is probably pretty easy too.
Shopping guide: 1. Possini Euro Enzo Black Pendant Light 2. Lexington Steel Top Black Buffet 3. Bermuda Swivel Counter Stool
Manhattan-based interior designer Anthony Baratta, know for colorful, high end, and sophisticated spaces, brings his impeccable contemporary interpretation of classic design to this kitchen. The center island is done in pale wood with an oval silhouette and a celery green glass countertop, and an inset teal ceiling with an array of fantastic pendant lights hover above. It's an obvious showpiece, but one with plenty of function.
Shopping guide: 1. Spectrum Multi-Color Glass Ceiling Fixture 2. Cornflower Ruffle Hand-Blown Glass Bowl 3. Stainless Steel Top Wood Drop Leaf Kitchen Cart
This Hamptons kitchen featured in Elle Decor belongs to husband and wife Interior design team Amy and Todd Hase, who found inspiration in the French countryside, where they spend much of their summer. The 18th-century table with bottom shelf, which they purchased at a Paris flea market, makes a perfect center island, providing storage, a workspace, and warmth to the otherwise white room.
So after seeing these great examples, why not mismatch your kitchen island to create a whole new look?
Shopping guide: 1. Artcraft Heath Espresso Retro Island Pendant 2. Cast Iron Steamer Pot with Lattice Top 3. Americana Cottage Oak Finish Wood Kitchen Island
Image credits: Ali Schwarz Design Group; decorated by William Diamond and Anthony Baratta and photographed by Simon Upton for Elle Decor; JAS Design Build; designed by Gideon Mendelson and photographed by Eric Piasecki for House Beautiful; Porchlight Interiors; Anthony Baratta; Roger Davies for Elle Decor.