Kitchen island cabinets can do a whole lot of work for you. In fact, they can do everything from storing ingredients to stashing baking sheets and even offer a spot for family meals. Here are 22 kitchen island cabinet configurations and storage suggestions.
Storage/appliances on all four sides. For kitchen islands that are very deep, there might be enough room to have regular-size cabinets on opposite sides, with open shelves at either end. This option works particularly well if the island faces a living or dining area; the cabinets on the living side can be perfect storage spots for linens, special serving pieces, or arts and crafts supplies.
Storage/appliances on one side. Kitchen islands that are narrower might be better suited to storage on just one side (typically facing the rest of the kitchen work area). In this option, a hanging countertop on the opposite side can provide extra elbow room for seating.
Separate areas for storage and seating. For a roomy kitchen or a family-oriented kitchen, an island with one end designated as working and the other as seating might be a good option. As long as it doesn't interfere with traffic patterns, chairs can be included on three sides of the seating end of the island.
Kitchen island cabinets can be created from a diverse selection of drawers and cupboards; based on what you're planning on using your island for, those cabinets can be either standard or custom. Shelving can be open or closed; doors offer a way to hide contents, while glass-front doors or open shelves are attractive ways to display cookbooks or treasured serving items. Keep in mind the countertop, too: An overhang with seating encourages hanging out, which might mean one side of the island is less hardworking than another. Here are 19 creative island storage ideas to try:
