Are work tables the new, easier way to add a kitchen island? Interior designers claim they offer a more lived-in elegance that makes it worth losing the storage

I spend a lot of time looking at beautiful kitchen designs, and if there's one feature I'm seeing more and more of, it's traditional work tables in the place of built-in island designs.

Work tables have been having a revival, and as far as kitchen island ideas go, they are proving to be the new favorite way to create a functional and stylish center to the hardest working room in your home. While they might offer less storage, they nail a more relaxed, laid back look that so many kitchen trends are leaning towards this year.

So if they offer less storage, what is their appeal? And should you choose one over a built-in kitchen island? I've asked designers and kitchen experts why these more unfitted desigs are making a comeback and the best way to style them – and it's all about creating a more relaxed, sociable atmosphere.

What is a work table?

A classic kitchen island is usually a large, built-in design with cabinets and drawers below. However, a work table will create more of a freestanding kitchen as it is, as the would suggest, closer to a table than an island. Styles vary, but most consist of a large countertop, usually two drawers underneath, and a large shelf at the bottom. So you are still getting some kitchen storage, just less than all the cabinetry you get with an island.

'A work table is a favorite for cooks and those who like to hang about in kitchens, big wide drawers for big utensils and cooking accouterments, and wide open slatted shelves for storing your biggest pots and pans,' says Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL Kitchens.

'It's open and airy, unlike an island which can be more boxy. It's very traditional and could always be seen in the working kitchens of Victorian and Georgian homes and now in farmhouse kitchens and Mediterranean homes, where the focus is on preparation and home-cooked food.'

What is the appeal of work table?

As freestanding kitchen ideas continue to trend, and we are all questioning are kitchen islands are still on trend, the work table is becoming more desirable in traditional and contemporary homes. 'We’re seeing a real shift toward freestanding work tables as an alternative to traditional kitchen islands,' says Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport.

'They offer a more relaxed, informal aesthetic that suits the way people live and entertain today. In period homes especially, a work table feels more in keeping with the architecture,' he adds.

They are also a truly versatile option, with designs varying from a simplistic table to a more built-in feature with an unfitted look. This means that they not only fit in beautifully with a lot of kitchen styles, but they can also be adapted to suit the needs of the home.

'From a design perspective, they bring lightness to a space, allow for creative material contrasts, and can be styled to feel more like a piece of furniture than a built-in fixture. There’s also an element of flexibility: a work table can evolve with the kitchen over time, making it a practical and characterful choice for many of our clients,' adds Richard.

But perhaps the biggest draw of kitchen work tables as an island is the sociable aspect – they become a space for the whole family together and return the kitchen to the heart of the home that it would have always been in the past.

'A work table is just one of those pieces that adds that something extra to a room and takes it from just a kitchen into a place that encompasses all that is good about family life. When we think of our perfect kitchen, it has space, it has someone prepping the food with a spot for others to join in and it has a table to gather around,' agrees Helen.

How to bring a work table into your kitchen

Does a work table sound like the missing piece to your kitchen? Here are a few ways to elevate your space with a work table, whether your kitchen is small and compact or you like the look of a work table but need a bit more functional storage.

1. Embrace a vintage design

For a truly authentic look, you can't go wrong with a vintage work table. Rustic, patinated, and full of character, it's a great way to decorate with vintage in the kitchen. In this scheme, the vintage work table is extra functional thanks to the castors.

'We put chunky castors on the legs so you could wheel these little prep tables around the kitchen. There is something really quite pleasing about a movable piece of furniture, it gives you different options depending on the situation,' says Helen.

As well as looking incredibly stylish, a vintage work table comes with all the charm of a well-used and lived-in piece. The ability to customize vintage pieces – like adding castors – makes them a brilliant choice in family kitchens.

2. Pick a hybrid design

While the traditional work table might not be the most functional choice for every space – especially if you need that extra bit of storage – there are designs that give the look of a freestanding piece but with the functionality of a more built-in island.

'If you aren’t quite sure you want to use a table instead of an island, there is a compromise that meets in the middle. A freestanding island that has been designed to replicate the look of a worktable can be a great alternative,' says Richard.

'Working as a fully functional food prep space, it also has the necessary storage that you often need in a kitchen, from pot boards to deep drawers, but more importantly, it resembles the look and feel of a worktable over an island.'

3. Use a work table to add an island to a small kitchen

A work table is a particularly good choice in a small kitchen ideas where a built-in island feels too bulky. You can introduce a work table in a smaller space without it feeling like it's been squeezed in – and the freestanding, open design can even make a small kitchen look bigger.

This charming kitchen would have felt overcrowded with a built-in island, but the work table is the perfect fit. It ties in seamlessly with the rest of the design – the wooden countertops beautifully match the original floorboards, while the warm white hue matches the walls.

Shop chic work tables to add to your kitchen right now

As far as kitchen island trends go, this is one we predict will endure. It's that nod back to traditional design that adds charm and character to kitchens. There's no denying the versatility of the work table both in larger schemes and for small kitchen islands. Just make sure to consider the reduced storage space – there's no point introducing a beautiful work table if your eye is going to be drawn to clutter.