How to Organize a Kitchen Island

Last Updated: December 29, 2022 References

Your kitchen island has two important functions: to be aesthetically pleasing and to be a central workspace to hold your everyday kitchen items. But we get it–life happens and sometimes your counters can get messy! The key to optimizing your kitchen island is to make sure that it is kept organized and clean. To help you free up counter space and keep your kitchen island clutter-free, we’ve put together a list of the top tricks to keep your kitchen island organized.

1

Rearrange loose items.

Arrange your items so they are aesthetically pleasing. This may include everyday usage items like oil and vinegar, serviettes or paper towels, your spice rack or toaster, or any other items you deem beneficial.^{[1]
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- Be sure to refrain from adding too much clutter back onto your countertop. If your kitchen island has a breakfast nook or seating area, you want to make sure that this space is clear so people can easily sit down to enjoy a meal or use it as a workspace.
- Find an area where all like-items can be arranged closely together to save on usable counter space, for example in the center of the island.
- Place paper towels, napkins or hand towels near the sick for easy access.
- Display large plants or decorative objects in the center of the island for an aesthetic appeal. You should have a at least 1 or 2 decorative pieces like a flower pot, a plant, or maybe even a collectible item to anchor the space.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Angelica Savard
  Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer
  Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.}

2

Stack cookbooks neatly on open shelves.

Cookbooks can be both useful and decorative. If you have lots of cookbooks that you want to put on display, build a shelving unit below your countertop where you can stack the cookbooks.
- Stacking the books vertically can save space and look symmetrical.
- On the other hand, if you only have a few cookbooks and they are mainly for visual purposes in the kitchen, stack them horizontally and use them as risers for other kitchen items, like a teapot or houseplant.^{[3]
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3

Add decorative storage.

Use baskets or bowls for easy grab-and-go food items. If you’re someone who likes to have baked goods readily available, or if you tend to have fruits or vegetables out on the countertops, use baskets or fruit bowls to store your items on your countertop.
- This will allow the items to double as decorative pieces as well as snacks on the go.^{[4]
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4

Take advantage of pullout basket storage.

Use pullout basket storage for ease and decoration. Baskets are a great idea to store your root vegetables at room temperature, or even your tablecloths and linens. This can also be a great way to add some design and contrasting textures to your island.
- Instead of a cabinet or drawer, build pullout basket storage beneath your island countertop for easy access to your items.

5

Use minimal decor and declutter often.

Keep your counter free of clutter for a streamlined, clean look. A kitchen island is often the focal point of the kitchen as it often takes up a lot of space. Your kitchen island should serve its purpose of being a convenient spot for household items, but it should also be a warm and welcoming space that is open and inviting. Adding clutter to your countertop can detract from this, so be sure to keep your countertop items to a minimum!^{[5]
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Expert Source

Angelica Savard
Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer
Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.}
- Keep your kitchen island clutter-free on a regular basis by putting items back where they belong as soon as you are finished with them.
- If your kitchen island has a breakfast nook, clear off any dishes after you have finished your meal.
- If you often have random objects lying around, you can designate a basket, tray or bowl to miscellaneous items.

6

Add a wine rack.

Mount a wine storage cabinet at the end of the island. By adding this feature to your island, you remove the need for bottles atop of your counter or piled into cabinets, and you also have a sophisticated looking wine rack!
- Choose a side of your island that does not have any drawers or cabinets. Install a series of small cubby-holes so that your wine bottles can lay horizontally to maximize your space.^{[6]
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7

Install extra storage.

Add a deep drawer beneath your island to store pots and pans. Since your pots and pans are some of the bulkier items in your kitchen, install a pullout deep drawer for easy access, hidden away below your countertop.^{[7]
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- Stack the like-items in an organized manner for easy access when you open the drawer. For example, the biggest pot should be at the bottom of the stack and work their way up in size.

8

Include space for built-in appliances.

This tip is for people planning to build a new kitchen island. If you have the space beneath your kitchen island and you have appliances, save your countertop space by adding in a nook for your microwave, or building your dishwasher right into your island.^{[8]
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- You can even make them secret appliance storage areas by adding a cabinet door to conceal them.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I declutter my kitchen island?

Angelica Savard
Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer
Angelica Savard is a Home Stager, Realtor, and Interior Designer based in Long Beach, California. She is also the Co-owner of Elegant Domain Interiors LLC, a business that offers design consulting, home staging, and window treatments. She has over 15 years of interior design and consulting experience. She earned a BA from California State University Long Beach with an emphasis on Interior Architectural Design.

Angelica Savard

Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

Less is always more on countertops, so I'd get any appliances off of the island. I'm often inclined to keep nothing there, but you can put a small plant or a cookbook. You could maybe get away a small wine rag or beverage rack. Nothing clunky or big, though!
Question

What's the trend right now for kitchen islands?

Angelica Savard
Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer
Angelica Savard is a Home Stager, Realtor, and Interior Designer based in Long Beach, California. She is also the Co-owner of Elegant Domain Interiors LLC, a business that offers design consulting, home staging, and window treatments. She has over 15 years of interior design and consulting experience. She earned a BA from California State University Long Beach with an emphasis on Interior Architectural Design.

Angelica Savard

Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

Painting them is getting very popular. You choose a different color for your island so that it stands out in contrast with the rest of the cabinets. If you go this route, keep it neutral, Black, dark grey, or white perhaps.
Question

What kind of plant should I put on my island?

Angelica Savard
Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer
Angelica Savard is a Home Stager, Realtor, and Interior Designer based in Long Beach, California. She is also the Co-owner of Elegant Domain Interiors LLC, a business that offers design consulting, home staging, and window treatments. She has over 15 years of interior design and consulting experience. She earned a BA from California State University Long Beach with an emphasis on Interior Architectural Design.

Angelica Savard

Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

Anything that will survive in your home's environment should be fine. I'd pick something more vertical than horizonal. That way, the plant will draw the eye up towards your ceiling and it will give you more counter space. Something like a tall orchid might do really well.