How to style and use a kitchen island

These multifunctional blocks of furniture are the perfect spot for the sink and tap, allowing cooks to chat with guests while they prepare meals, drinks or tidy up. Below we showcase ideas that combine form and function and, of course, beautiful brassware in both modern and traditional spaces.

Make it multifunctional.

By teaming an island sink with a Perrin & Rowe tap with matching rinse, as well as an instant hot tap, you have an instant multifunctional wet zone for rinsing fruit and vegetables, washing pots and pans and making a cup of tea or coffee without waiting for the kettle to boil.  With this stunning handmade kitchen designed by McClark Bespoke Joinery, Audrey and Mike of @thelondonhomefix have renovated their light-filled London property to include a Farrow & Ball ‘Parma Grey’ Shaker-style island unit complete with a Perrin & Rowe Ionian Mixer with Rinse and Parthian Mini Instant Hot Tap, all in Satin Brass to offset the pale grey furniture and white marble work surface beautifully.

@thelondonhomefix

Create a breakfast bar.

When space allows, ask your kitchen designer for a worksurface overhang on the island.  This enables you to create an instant breakfast bar – simply pop a couple of stools underneath and hey presto.  For Surrey-based interior designer Emma Merry, her own island is sleek and sophisticated with the Perrin & Rowe Armstrong Mixer with Pull Down-Rinse in Aged Brass for an industrial look that complements the Shaws of Darwen Brindle fireclay sink and milk glass school lights above wonderfully.

@emma.merry.styling

Complement classic cabinetry.

If you have a classic or traditional-style island unit, choose a timeless tap to match.  In this Monmouthshire by Hush Kitchens, bespoke handmade furniture is painted in Farrow & Ball ‘Charleston Grey’ and teamed with natural stone flooring and the Perrin & Rowe Athenian Mixer and Rinse in Chrome.  The finished effect is enduringly beautiful and will keep its looks as trends change.

Hush Kitchens
One of the biggest trends in kitchen design is to add metallic touches to your kitchen with hardware, accessories and small appliances.

One of the biggest trends in kitchen design is to add metallic touches to your kitchen with hardware, accessories and small appliances.

In this stunning Shaker-style kitchen with its petrol blue cabinets and crackle-glaze rectangular tiled splashback, the island features a sleek stone worksurface with integrated drainer grooves and a Perrin & Rowe Callisto Mixer in Aged Brass. This picks up on the cabinet handles perfectly, giving this classic kitchen a contemporary twist.

Chris Snook Photography

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