Joanna Gaines Ditched A Traditional Kitchen Island For Something More Unique

A kitchen island is a functional focal point for anyone entering the room, but here's where things get interesting. The piece sitting at center stage doesn't have to be some prefab thing you buy at a home improvement store. Instead, why not entertain some unique kitchen island ideas to add more personality to the room? Joanna Gaines did just that with the island in her farmhouse kitchen in 2019, later writing about it on her Magnolia website.

In the Gaines' kitchen, the island started out as a baptismal table from a parochial school. The baptism tool was sized appropriately for a kitchen island, standing at waist height, which made it perfect for prepping food. It had arched panels on one side, which nodded to the fact it was salvaged and repurposed. The Gaineses added a white marble top, which fit in with the color scheme of the kitchen. Using similar inspiration, it's not hard to come up with your own kitchen island ideas for a small space, a large space, or somewhere in between.

If you're renovating any space in your home, you might be able to salvage some of the furnishings to turn into a kitchen island. A buffet, console, or even an old vanity or dresser could be transformed into an island with a little upkeep. However, make sure that the piece is tall enough so you can still comfortably food prep. Another option — especially if you don't want to spend any money — is to look through your local Buy Nothing groups online. If you prefer shopping, a visit to a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore shop is bound to turn up some fun finds that could be transformed into a kitchen island. Sometimes they carry contractor leftovers or gently used items, so you may be able to find a beautiful countertop for your piece or some old kitchen base cabinets that'll make the perfect island. 

Wherever you source your kitchen island supplies, keep in mind the size of your kitchen and the size of the typical island within it. For a small kitchen, aim for something up to 36 inches wide and up to 60 inches long. If you have a bigger cook area, you want something around 3 to 4 feet in width and 7 to 9 feet in length. The ideal height goes from 36 to 38 inches high, so there isn't too much wiggle room there. Bring a tape measure when you're exploring potential kitchen island options to see what might work best for your kitchen space.