The kitchen has historically been the bustling center of household activity, and in many homes, continues to serve that purpose now. However, though the purpose remains the same, the style of this room has changed dramatically, with more families opting for a more fluid, open plan design.
And, the anchor of any open plan kitchen is, of course, the kitchen island. Located at the center of the room, this item can be all things to all people: a cooking surface, a kitchen table and even a workspace. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) estimates that kitchen islands are present in about half of all American homes, showing that they’re becoming as much of an institution as the classic round kitchen table.
Since this piece of furniture will be a dominant part of your kitchen, it will essentially dictate the look and feel of the room, so it’s important to choose a material that is attractive and timeless.
An island made from reclaimed barnwood can give your kitchen a charming, antiquated feel, that, oddly enough, never seems to get old. Plus, this material is as durable as it is eye-catching.
However, because of its centralized location in the room, a kitchen island is also an obvious choice to incorporate something different. If your kitchen is light and muted, you can vary the finish on your salvaged barnwood island to either bring in the warmth of a lighter, golden brown pine, or the richness of a deeper brown cherry.
For an island that will also serve as a breakfast bar, pair it with matching farmhouse bar stools that share its signature classic style.
Your island should be effective as well as attractive, so ElleDecor recommends equipping it with tons of storage space, and leaving at least 42 inches on all sides of the island so you can move around your kitchen with ease.
