Kitchen island styling ideas – 8 ways to make a practical space look beautiful

More often than not an island is not only the heart of your kitchen but the heart of your home. It's a hardworking space that's used for both work and play – prepping dinner, working from home, entertaining friends, etc. However, amongst all its very practical qualities, it's also prime real estate for bringing some personality and character in the form of decor to your space.

But as with anything to do with aesthetics in a kitchen, there has to be a balance with practicality. Decor can't interfere with the everyday running of the room. So how do you style a kitchen island so that it looks beautiful, but can still allow the surface to perform all its daily tasks? We asked a few of our favorite designers for their top tips and expert kitchen island styling ideas that get this balance right.

BY HEBE HATTON