Colorful islands are out – these 5 kitchens show the new way designers are making islands chic focal points in 2025

Despite being the primary focal point of so many kitchens, we don't give enough thought to the design of our islands. The default decision is to copy your cabinet's style, material, and paint color, but who says all of our kitchen elements have to match? If you want to bring variety and interest to your space, wooden islands are the way to go.

If 2025 has taught us anything so far, it's that colorful kitchen island ideas are out. Whether you choose all-over white for your walls and cabinets or opt for some eye-catching color is up to you. Either way, an island of warm oak or deep maple adds a contrastive tone to your kitchen that ties your palette together while introducing texture.

Visually, the trend for natural islands brings rustic, understated elegance to a kitchen. As this room evolves into a multifunctional space to gather with family rather than just a place to prepare our food, these organic touches help add a more homey and relaxed feel. Need convincing? Here are five kitchens that prove the wooden kitchen island trend will reign supreme in 2025.

1. This antique-style island

Whether you're a modern minimalist or more classically traditional, a wooden kitchen island works well in any space; but there's nothing like a rustic centerpiece surrounded by deep painted kitchen cabinets. The contrast in color not only helps focus the lens on the island, but it introduces a new tonal layer into the scheme.

This is exactly what Ginger Curtis, founder of Urbanology, set out to achieve in this country kitchen. Her vintage freestanding island adds depth and contrast, with the same wood finish echoed in the range mantel to draw the eye beyond.

'A wooden island anchors a space, blending character, functionality, and a connection to natural materials that are resonating deeply in today’s homes,' she says. 'They evoke a sense of timelessness, reminiscent of a beautiful piece from an era gone by while showcasing the artisanal craftsmanship that makes each design unique.'

Ginger emphasizes the importance of kitchen island lighting, too. 'Pair with a statement light fixture that contrasts the style for a beautiful charged look,' she suggests. 'For example, if your island is more contemporary, look for a light fixture with subtle traditional touches.'

2. This mixed grain island

Can't decide between a wooden island made of light oak, glossy cherry, or a rich maple or walnut? Then why not mix wood grains. The cornerstone of this kitchen by Bakes & Kropp is a grand walnut island that incorporates a walnut and maple checkered butcher block. Not only does it play with tonal wood finishes, but it makes for a seriously eye-catching focal point against the backdrop of white cabinets.

Paul Kropp, co-founder at Bakes & Kropp, calls wooden islands an 'aesthetically pleasing centerpiece for the kitchen'. 'The beauty, depth, and warmth of the wood creates an elevated focal point in this New Jersey kitchen,' he says. There are some practical advantages, too. As Paul notes, wood is also naturally microbial, making it a safe and easy-to-clean choice of material.

3. This wooden centerpiece with a stone countertop

Wooden kitchen islands can be just as impactful when they're not all over timber. Marble or quartz countertops are often favored over butcher blocks for their durability when it comes to heat and stain resistance, and as the above design shows, a stone slab still allows the wooden base of an island to stand out.

That said, Gemma Holsgrove, Studio Director at Sims Hilditch, notes that choosing the right timber tone is key. 'The choice should complement the desired aesthetic – dark timbers paired with deep colors create a moody and dramatic atmosphere, while lighter woods paired with softer tones can make a space feel brighter and more open,' she says.

Ratio is important, too. In the scheme above, the low-contrast tones of the powder blue cabinetry and cream walls are boldly punctuated by the wooden island. The color scheme therefore follows the 60-30-10 rule – 60 percent of a main color, 30 percent of a complementary shade, and ten percent of an accent color.

4. This warm wooden island

If you prefer a simpler color scheme, set your wooden island against a backdrop of all-white. White kitchen ideas of plain walls and cabinetry create a timeless design that will endure for decades. Add a wooden centerpiece and you create a visually intriguing focal point that adds contrast to your space.

'Wooden islands bring warmth and contrast to pale kitchens,' says French designer Audrée Kemp Bélanger, founder of AKB Design who curated the space above. 'They anchor the space while bringing natural materials into the kitchen.'

The bright white kitchen is grounded by the white oak of the island and the brass accents of the hardware and lighting. 'The island is treated as a piece of furniture on its own, with its profiled countertop, square base, and floor moldings,' says Audrée.

5. This repurposed Dairy Table

Fan of farmhouse kitchen ideas? Reclaimed dairy tables – originating from 19th-century French kitchens where they were used in the early stages of cheese pasteurization – make some of the best wooden kitchen islands for this aesthetic, as seen in this burgundy kitchen by deVOL.

The company's creative director, Helen Parker, explains why they feature widely in their designs. 'We love their authenticity and traditional feel but we also like the idea of a non-painted piece,' she says. 'This island has a grandeur and solidness that is accentuated by its dark color and sturdy structure.'

Choosing antique styles in solid wood rather than painted islands also gives the kitchen more charm, creating a space that feels less 'cookie cutter' than modern designs. 'It shows the room has character and perhaps the notion that this piece is heirloom or vintage, giving the kitchen a "gathered over time feel",' says Helen.

Why are wooden islands trending?

There's no denying that colorful cabinetry brings personality to a kitchen, but there's something seriously chic about wooden islands. Even if you opt for a splash of bright color on your cabinet doors, people are choosing to visually tone down the space by choosing a more natural focal point.

But why the sudden surge of wooden islands? Helen says it has to do with our need for cozier, multifunctional kitchens. 'People are looking for homes and kitchens that feel comfortable, warm, and uncontrived and a wooden island or prep table can achieve this by giving the room depth and character,' she says. 'People come to us for kitchens that are more than just a selection of matching cupboards, but carefully chosen pieces designed to look beautiful, work extremely practically, and, most importantly, age beautifully over time.'

It's a trend that extends to wood kitchens more generally, with raw wooden cabinets and butcherblock countertops growing in popularity, too. 'Wood conveys a sense of luxury that is elegant and refined without being ostentatious,' says Gemma. 'Unlike bold colors that may appeal to some but alienate others, wood offers a timeless and sophisticated appeal that balances style and universal charm.'