When you want to add a modern touch to your kitchen design, you probably came across the option of installing a waterfall kitchen island to transform and modernize your kitchen space. Where a traditional kitchen island pairs a countertop and base cabinets and separate sides, a waterfall design allows the countertop material to flow over the sides onto the flooring, creating a cohesive and contemporary expression.
A waterfall countertop makes your kitchen island a focal point in the room, which can redefine the design style of your kitchen. Moreover, the vertically extended countertop material can serve as a protective shield, preventing scuffs on cabinet edges in high-traffic areas around the island.
In the list below, you will find the most inspiring waterfall kitchen island ideas made out of different materials, ranging from natural stone to quartz countertops. Whether you go for a natural or engineered stone, you can pick out a tin countertop for a modest effect in the space, or go for a ticker slab to make your kitchen island look bold and impressive.
An impressive marble slab transforms the design of a minimal kitchen space
When you have such an impressive and expensive stone slab to work with, it’s almost a pity not to have it continue on the sides and integrate more material into a waterfall kitchen island.
The marble texture is a real show-stopper and transforms this minimal kitchen. The impressive marble waterfall countertops pair nicely with the combination of flat panel cabinets in light grey and a brown wood tone. The stone ties the design of the kitchen together.
Styling by Emma Fischer, Photographed by Osman Tahir for Nordiska Kök
A gorgeous light grey marble waterfall kitchen island in a black kitchen
In this spacious kitchen, the black kitchen cabinets are paired with a grey marble stone on the countertops and backsplash for a contrasting effect. The kitchen features a backsplash in between the upper and lower cabinets and the beautiful countertop materials also come back on the kitchen island.
The grey marble waterfall countertop adds a lighter touch to the kitchen color palette, which is paired with light grey walls and white bar stools.
via Picky Living
An impressive green marble backsplash and waterfall island
The dark wood kitchen cabinets in this beautiful kitchen space are paired with an impressive green marble that is used on the counters and on the backsplash behind the sink.
The green marble also extends onto the waterfall kitchen island, allowing a balance between just the right amount of wood tones and the green marble, paired with a brass faucet.
via Nordiska Kök
A waterfall countertop turns a small kitchen island into an impressive focal point
A small kitchen island fills this historic space with round walls, combining dark grey cabinets with a white marble stone with beautiful veining.
This dark grey and white combination matches the light wall colors and white plank flooring in the kitchen and by applying the waterfall countertop trend to the kitchen island, it makes a statement in the space, despite its smaller size.
via Entrance Makleri
A dark limestone wraps around dark wood kitchen cabinets for a dramatic effect
The simple design and clean lines of the dark wood kitchen cabinets in this space with warm wood herringbone hardwood flooring are paired with an impressive dark limestone that is used on counters, backsplash, waterfall kitchen island, and even on the hood cover.
By continuing the backsplash material up to the ceiling, the contemporary kitchen design gets an impressive and slightly dramatic look from which the chrome pendants stand out.
via Nordiska Kök
A limestone countertop wraps around storage drawers underneath the kitchen island
The light oak kitchen cabinets used in this kitchen provide ample storage space by using large cupboards paired with drawers in the lower modules and on the kitchen island. The beautiful light oak tone is paired with greige walls and a beige limestone that is used on the countertop and backsplash of the main kitchen module.
The limestone also comes back on the waterfall kitchen island, where it wraps the drawer modules and draws attention to the middle of the space that connects the kitchen with the rest of the living area.
A luxurious kitchen with a kitchen island waterfall edge that comes back in the middle
This impressive and spacious kitchen design features off-white kitchen cabinets paired with white walls and a white waterfall island in the middle of the space.
The white marble on the counters and backsplash comes back on the kitchen island as well and the cooking space features elements in the same material for an elegant and cohesive effect. The waterfall countertop on each side of the kitchen island is brought back in the middle section which separates the seating area from the storage drawers, enveloping the seating area underneath the countertop in marble completely.
via Nordiska Kök
A grey quartz waterfall kitchen island paired with dark wood cabinets
The quartz waterfall countertop in this living kitchen brightens the palette of the dark-tone kitchen cabinets that also come back on the back panel underneath the kitchen island.
While the quartz waterfall island takes the focus in this kitchen design, the impressive wall of large cupboards against the wall has a very impressive effect as well.
via Erik Olsson
A waterfall countertop on one side of the island only
This corner kitchen layout features beautiful off-white kitchen cabinetry paired with a green-grey backsplash and countertop material. The waterfall countertop on the main kitchen module comes back on one side of the kitchen island, which allows for a lighter floor plan and a spacious look and feel.
The elegant metal legs that support the island counter are paired with two oak wood bar stools that complement the color of the impressive hardwood flooring.
via Nordiska Kök
A Jura marble waterfall countertop on the kitchen island of a cream kitchen
The beige marble kitchen island in this historic space separates the kitchen from the dining area. The contemporary design of the waterfall island contrasts with the vintage dining table that is paired with six oak Wishbone chairs.
This mixture of modern and vintage works well in the space and the beige marble also comes back on the countertop and on the small backsplash in the main kitchen module.
via Ahre
A breakfast bar in the middle of a living kitchen
The beige limestone waterfall island in the middle of this modern and minimal kitchen design is the perfect spot for two accent black modern bar stools to create a cozy kitchen breakfast bar.
The black contrast element also comes back in the pendant lamps above the countertops and island and in the impressive light fixture hanging above the dining table.
via Picky Living
A stainless steel countertop paired with a marble waterfall countertop on the kitchen island
In this open-plan kitchen with dark wood kitchen cabinets, the waterfall kitchen island features a different material than the countertop of the main kitchen module. The sink module of the kitchen features stainless steel countertops, while the marble waterfall island allows for a powerful contrast in this modern kitchen.
via Alexander White
An impressive textured marble waterfall island on a majestic kitchen space
If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity and means to wrap one of those larger kitchen island designs in a gorgeous natural stone, you will surely make an impressive statement in your kitchen design.
I love the way the natural stone slab comes back on the wall space inside the arched section above the kitchen sink, combining both curvy and straight clean lines on the standard island shape into a combination of classic and contemporary kitchen design.
via Himlekök
A marble waterfall countertop is highlighted by LED lighting underneath
The white marble slabs on the counters, kitchen island, and backsplash take all the attention in this classic white kitchen with black hardware.
The marble waterfall countertop adds a contemporary element to the kitchen design and the natural stone is lit up by LED lighting, which gives it a warm and inviting glow highlighting the luxurious material choice.
via Sjöman Frisk
An elegant quartz waterfall kitchen island brightens the kitchen color palette together
The quartz material on the white countertop in this kitchen ties together the dark wood kitchen cabinets with the white cupboards that extend over the entire kitchen wall by the window.
The quartz waterfall kitchen island frames the dark oak cabinets perfectly and connects the seating and storage areas underneath the island into one cohesive module.
via Himlekök
A grey waterfall kitchen island in a spacious dark wood kitchen
This spacious kitchen is built in a corner layout with mostly lower cabinets, with a kitchen island built out of a grey marble stone as the focal point in the middle of the space.
The impressive width of the kitchen island, which can seat 4 people, and the waterfall countertop on both sides add a modern aesthetic to this renovated loft apartment.
via Erik Olsson
A natural oak kitchen with a waterfall island and countertop
In this beautiful oak kitchen, the surface material of the countertops also comes back on the side panels and on the kitchen island, which adds a luxurious touch to the kitchen design.
The grey veining in the quartz waterfall countertop pairs nicely with the concrete flooring in the space the stainless steel faucets add depth and a beautiful metallic touch to the setting.
via Nordiska Kök
An impressive grey marble island paired with black cabinets and stainless steel appliances
This beautiful open-concept loft home features a kitchen with black cabinets underneath the sloped roof that has a beautiful contrasting effect in the space with exposed wood beams.
The real focal point in this luxuriously renovated apartment, however, is the grey marble waterfall kitchen island with striking veining that adds a lovely texture to the material palette of the interior decor in this open floor plan.
The grey marble also comes back on the countertop and the small backsplash in the main kitchen module, where the walls are painted in a dark grey color to soften out the contrast with the black cabinets.
via Alicia Edelman
A playful terrazzo waterfall kitchen island paired with greige kitchen cabinets
The terrazzo countertop material has a very playful effect in this kitchen and it’s also used on the backsplash, on the bottom of the upper cabinets, and on the walls for a cohesive effect. The waterfall kitchen island also uses the same continuous material, making it fit into the space perfectly.
The eye-catching terrazzo is paired with greige kitchen cabinets and brass accents in the hardware. The rippled glass in the upper cabinets adds yet another material variation to this gorgeous kitchen design.
via Nordiska Kök
Is a waterfall island expensive?
Since a waterfall kitchen island is typically constructed out of granite, quartz, or natural stone, they tend to be more expensive than the standard materials. Comparable to quartz, marble, or granite countertops, a granite, marble, or quartz waterfall island will be exponentially more expensive since you need more of those said materials.
Moreover, there is some skilled craftsmanship involved in ensuring the joints of the waterfall island fit together for a clean and elegant look, bringing the price up.
Luckily, a waterfall island is a timeless piece that can stand the test of time, making it worth the initial investment.
Should I add a waterfall countertop to my kitchen island design?
While a waterfall kitchen island can be a true show stopper in large kitchens, which the above examples undoubtedly have shown you, not every kitchen is a good fit. For this timeless design feature to work as a true focal point in this space, you need to make sure that you have enough space around the island.
A spacious, open-concept layout tends to complement the grandeur of a waterfall island, allowing it to become a captivating design element without overwhelming the space. Consider the existing architectural elements, such as the placement of doors, windows, and adjoining rooms, to ensure a harmonious integration.
Additionally, the style of your kitchen plays a crucial role; modern and contemporary designs often embrace the clean lines and sleek finishes of a waterfall countertop.
