Category Archives: Kitchen Layout

19 Waterfall kitchen island ideas for a show-stopping effect

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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.

An impressive marble slab transforms the design of a minimal kitchen space

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.

A gorgeous light grey marble waterfall kitchen island in a black kitchen

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.

An impressive green marble backsplash and waterfall island

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.

A waterfall countertop turns a small kitchen island into an impressive focal point

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.

A dark limestone wraps around dark wood kitchen cabinets for a dramatic effect

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.

Natural oak wood kitchen cabinets against a greige wall, beige limestone countertops, black wall shelf, black pendant lights, chrome hardware

via Innerstadtspecialisten

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.

A luxurious kitchen with a kitchen island waterfall edge that comes back in the middle

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.

A grey quartz waterfall kitchen island paired with dark wood cabinets

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.

A waterfall countertop on one side of the island only

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.

A kitchen with beige kitchen cabinets, beige limestone countertops and a vintage dining table, kitchen island with a waterfall countertop

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.

A breakfast bar in the middle of a living kitchen, waterfall kitchen island, off-white kitchen cabinets, black hardware

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.

A stainless steel countertop paired with a marble waterfall countertop on the kitchen island

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.

An impressive textured marble waterfall island on a majestic kitchen space

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.

A marble waterfall countertop is highlighted by LED lighting underneath

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.

An elegant quartz waterfall kitchen island brightens the kitchen color palette together

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.

A grey waterfall kitchen island in a spacious dark wood kitchen

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.

An oak an grey quartzite kitchen in a modern villa in Sweden

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.

An impressive grey marble island paired with black cabinets and stainless steel appliances in a renovated loft apartment

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.

A bold terrazzo backsplash and kitchen island paired up with beige cabinets

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.

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21 Kitchens without upper cabinets for a minimal and light look

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Ditching wall cabinets and going for kitchens without upper cabinets has a minimal and modern effect on a kitchen interior and allows you to work with open shelving in your kitchen remodel to finish off your kitchen walls.

Since you lose the storage space that would otherwise be provided by the wall cabinets a kitchen without upper cabinets is typically easier to achieve in a kitchen space with a bigger floor plan, as you can work with ample lower cabinets to provide you with enough storage opportunity.

In the list below, you can find a selection of my favorite kitchens without upper cabinets in different layouts, floor plans, settings, and color palettes for you to get inspired.

A spacious kitchen without upper cabinets to accentuate room height

In a spacious kitchen with high ceilings, it makes sense to ditch the upper cabinets if you can find a place to store your pots, appliances, and other kitchen items. A low layout will make the space appear even higher and the combination of the three pendant lights in varying height above the dining table accentuate the tall room even more.

A kitchen with dark oak kitchen cabinets and lower cabinets only for a lighter look

via Nordiska Kök

A wide kitchen layout without upper cabinets

The absence of upper cabinets in this beautiful natural wood kitchen makes the space feel larger and the combination with the aesthetically pleasing dining area in different wood tones works well in this kitchen design where the materials themselves are the focal point. The range hood and the beautiful piece of art are the only elements on the wall in this kitchen living space.

A light oak kitchen without upper cabinets

via Superfront

A corner kitchen layout with storage space in the bottom kitchen cabinets

This kitchen is planned out in a corner layout with a kitchen island in the middle of the space. The different lower kitchen modules are great to maximize storage space so that the wall space can be kept minimal, with the exception of the white range hood and two elegant wall lamps.

A corner kitchen layout with lower cabinets only and a green-grey marble countertop

via Nordiska Kök

A wall shelf instead of upper kitchen cabinets in between two windows

This beautiful corner kitchen layout has two windows that add a lot of natural light, which makes adding upper cabinets rather challenging. Instead, lower cabinetry is paired with wall shelves that can hold serving dishes, dinner plates, and serving bowls mixed with a beautiful selection of wall art on the top shelf.

A corner shaker kitchen without upper cabinets, wall shelving

Photographed by Lisa Wikstrand , styled by Helen Sturesson and Johanna Wikstrand Moresco for Kulladal

An awkward floor plan with a blue kitchen without wall cabinets

The blue kitchen cabinets have been adjusted to this rather awkward floor plan, which would look much too heavy with upper cabinets. Open shelving is added to the niche spaces in the wall to store easily accessible kitchen items.

A blue kitchen with stainless steel countertops and no upper cabinets

via &Schufl

A kitchen island provides extra cabinets and drawers on the back

This spacious kitchen with light oak kitchen cabinets includes a large kitchen island with seating and a long module of lower drawers and cabinets. The white marble countertop and backsplash add an elegant touch to the one wall on the back where the black task lighting adds a wonderful contrast.

A spacious light oak kitchen without upper cabinets and a spacious kitchen island

via Ballingslōv

The absence of upper cabinets allows for extra wall space for a beautiful floating shelf

Rather than trying to fit wall units in the small wall space available above the sink, this beautiful kitchen has been fitted with a floating shelf that adds visual interest to the kitchen design. Since the sloped ceiling makes the room feel smaller, this is a great solution to create the illusion of more space.

A small kitchen without upper cabinets and a small floating shelf

via Nordiska Kök

Practical high cupboards on the side eliminate the need for upper cabinets

When you are worried the drawers and cabinets on the lower half of the layout won’t suffice to store all your plates, dishes, and appliances, a tall wall of cupboards like in the kitchen example below is great for functionality and it allows you to keep the rest of the kitchen free of wall cabinets.

A dark wood kitchen without upper cabinets

via Himlekök

Dark kitchens without upper cabinets look lighter and more balanced

A dark kitchen with upper cabinets can easily become too heavy visually, so leaving out the upper cabinets in this case will make your design appear lighter, especially when combined with white walls like in the example below.

A dark blue kitchen without upper cabinets and white walls for a lighter look

via Nordiska Kök

A long kitchen module underneath a sloped roof

This space requires a bottom kitchen layout and the long module of drawers provides a place for each and every kitchen detail. By painting the wall in an eye-catching color, the space becomes interesting and the fact that there is less space available is not so apparent anymore.

A low kitchen layout underneath a sloped ceiling

via &Schufl

An off-white shaker kitchen without upper cabinets

The off-white shaker cabinets in this beautiful kitchen have been paired with tall cupboards on the side for extra storage, yet no upper cabinets have been added to keep the look light and airy. The tin floating shelf above the sink is great for displaying ceramics.

An off-white shaker kitchen with a floating shelf instead of upper cabinets

via Nordiska Kök

A galley kitchen without upper cabinets

This galley kitchen layout provides lower cabinets on both sides, allowing for the upper area to be kept free of upper cabinets. This way, the accent pendant lights above the sink get all the attention they deserve.

A galley kitchen without upper cabinets

via Reform CPH

A spacious kitchen with historic details and dark cabinets

Ditching wall cabinets in this historic kitchen was a great design choice, as the wall and ceiling features, dark cabinetry, and herringbone flooring get all the attention they deserve. The area above the sink is filled with a black marble backsplash, wainscoting, and black accent wall lamps.

A classic kitchen with dark cabinets, black marble countertops and lower cabinets only

via Nordiska Kök

A bamboo kitchen without upper cabinet space accentuates the high ceilings in this townhouse

This kitchen is located in a historic townhouse with high ceilings, which are accentuated even more because of the absence of wall cabinets. The wall above the counter is filled with an elegant wall lamp and an open shelf to display a selection of beautiful ceramics.

Dark-stained bamboo cabinets in a Rotterdam townhouse

Styled by Michiel Bosman, kitchen by Ask Og Eng

A small kitchen inside a niche space without upper cabinets

In this small niche kitchen, the combination of tall cupboards and lower cabinetry allows for a practical layout that is light and airy at the same time. The natural stone countertops stand out against the white cabinetry and they complement the beige limestone flooring beautifully.

A small niche kitchen space wihout upper cabinetry

via Nordiska Kök

Kitchens without upper cabinets work great in larger floor plans

In small spaces, you have to take every opportunity to provide storage, which often means a kitchen without upper cabinets is challenging. If you can work with a large floor plan, you might not need the extra space on the wall for upper cabinets, which will make your kitchen appear lighter. Especially in rooms with lower ceiling height, this can be such a great design decision.

Dark bamboo cabinets in a space with an intricate floor detail

kitchen by Ask Og Eng

A long peg rail rather than wall cupboards to complement the lower cabinets

This elegant kitchen without upper cabinets has been fitted from wall to wall with an impressive oak wood peg rail which provides a true focal point in this kitchen design. The white-soaped oak of the lower cabinets complements nicely with the warmer wood tone on the peg rail for a beautiful effect in this cozy kitchen design with a white marble countertop.

A soft wood kitchen with a long wood peg rail over the counter, from deVOL kitchens

via DeVol kitchens

Open shelves make up for less storage in the kitchen

Open shelves are a great alternative for wall cabinets, however, if you are worried your kitchen items or appliances will gather dust, you can use the shelves for decor items only. Just like in the example below, open shelves are great for a fresh green plant as well.

A minimal off-white kitchen with a floating shelf instead of upper cabinets

via Nordiska Kök

An attic kitchen with open shelving in the same material as the backsplash

When your kitchen is fitted underneath a sloped roof, it’s often not a possibility to fit in wall cabinets. This kitchen design pairs white kitchen cabinets with beautiful grey marble countertops and a backsplash that also comes back in the material of the open shelves for an integrated effect.

A white attic kitchen with open shelving in the same material as the backsplash

via Nordiska Kök

A long brass rail replaces the upper cabinets in a yellow shaker kitchen

This beautiful yellow kitchen from deVol features a pretty brass rail where you can hang your most used items. Above the rail, three beautiful vintage pendants provide the area above the sink with light and I’m a big fan of the classic shaker cabinetry which usually looks rather heavy, yet without upper cabinets the kitchen still looks light and balanced.

A classic English kitchen in a subdued yellow with a brown kitchen island from deVOL kitchens

via DeVol kitchens

Kitchens without upper cabinets allow for art and decor elements on the wall

This modern, minimal kitchen with dark wood cabinets and white terrazzo countertops has tall cupboards for storage, yet the absence of wall cabinets above the kitchen sink allows a beautiful artwork on eye level paired with a white wall lamp that complements the countertop and small backsplash.

A minimal dark wood kitchen without upper cabinets

via Nordiska Kök

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