Anne Hathaway's kitchen island is original yet practical – experts predict its innovative 'conversation seating' shape will be huge in 2025

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and the kitchen island is always the center of the kitchen. In Anne Hathaway's space, a long overhang transforms her island from an afterthought into a gorgeous gathering space.

The actress's kitchen island is part of the redesign of her home by the acclaimed Studio Shamshiri. Hathaway's space features mint-colored lower cabinets, wooden upper shelving, and copper pots on hooks behind the white and gold stove. Black countertops contrast the wood countertop on her island. The furniture-like piece has cabinets underneath, with an extension surrounded by bar stools.

The piece is a masterclass in designing for living rather than just aesthetics. Echo Lattner, principal designer at Echo Marie Studio in Santa Fe, states: 'Anne Hathaway’s large island overhang contributes to the kitchen’s inviting atmosphere by providing a place for guests and kitchen collaborators to easily pull up a stool on three sides of the island. This allows for conversational seating in the space, unlike standard overhangs that limit seating to one side of the counter.'

The island kitchen countertop idea also has benefits for cooking. Ruben Gutierrez, Principal at Miami-based Errez Design says: 'The effect of the large overhang on this kitchen island is unmistakable. It’s all about practicality, but with a touch of grace. That overhang extends the workspace. It doesn’t overwhelm the room, but it gives the island presence, making it the heart of the kitchen.'

Though it's highly functional, Hathaway's island doesn't skimp on aesthetics. Gutierrez tells Homes & Gardens: 'The overhang works because it creates visual balance in the room. It extends just enough to provide function—extra seating or workspace—without overwhelming the overall design. It adds depth and dimension to the island, which in turn complements the open shelving, the clean lines, and the soft kitchen color palette. The overhang softens the structure of the island, making it feel less blocky and more integrated into the space. It’s not just an extension of the countertop—it enhances the flow of the kitchen, making it feel cohesive, warm, and inviting.'

'The extended counter allows for extra visibility to show off the detailed cabinet construction beyond that would otherwise be hard to fully appreciate,' adds Lattner.

The easy functionality and gorgeous look of Hathaway's island prime it to be a 2025 interior design trend. Lattner states: 'The combination of a furniture-inspired island, and extended overhang is an excellent introduction for renters with open, farm style kitchen layouts that need additional seating while also requiring island function and storage in place of a table.'

Shop the Anne Hathaway Kitchen Edit

If you love the kitchen layout, luckily it's easy to recreate. Lattner advises: 'Anyone can create a similar extended overhang look by utilizing either a found furniture island or by constructing a new legged island, introducing a wood and adding appropriate support for the island style. The key to its success is that the overall island feels like a piece of furniture and has charm in and of itself. The extended countertop and support fin lean into the nostalgia of a flip top table.'

Before jumping in, be sure to plan your kitchen properly. Gutierrez cautions: 'You don’t want the overhang to feel tacked on—you want it to flow with the rest of the kitchen. Choose materials that echo what’s already in the space: warm woods, soft tones, something that feels like it’s been there forever but still feels fresh. Keep it functional, but don’t sacrifice the aesthetics.'

Practicality and beauty needn't be mutually exclusive, and Anne Hathaway's living room is a prime example.