Kitchen Islands:Trends and History — Benicia Home Improvement Center

Past

Kitchens used to be tucked away from the entertainment areas of the house and were used by household helpers to prepare food. The kitchen island originally started as a large sturdy table that served as an extra workstation for the live-in household help. Over time, floor plans evolved, and kitchens started moving closer to the entertainment areas. With the Great Depression, live-in help decreased, and people were more likely to do all the cooking for their families. Frank Lloyd Wright is credited with building the first house ever where the kitchen had an opening to the living room (it’s located in Minneapolis, MN). The concept grew in popularity and the “openings” between the two rooms grew bigger and bigger over time until eventually the wall that separated the rooms was removed, leading to “open kitchens”. The kitchen island initially started as a way to connect the two rooms while providing an extra work surface. The kitchen island really had its spotlight in the 60’s when Julia Child’s “The French Chef” premiered and she was always cooking at her kitchen island. This led Americans to view kitchen islands more favorably.

Frank Lloyd Wright's "Open Kitchen"

Viewing the Kitchen from the Living Room

Julia Child at a Kitchen Island

Present

Kitchen islands took a few evolutions over the decades but always remained a spot for cooking and entertaining. In the last decade, kitchen islands have shifted their function once again with the demand now being for them to be a multipurpose area that also allows it to be an eat-in area. With the covid pandemic, kitchen islands have once again evolved and the need for them to be a workstation has increased with the rise of remote jobs.

Hidden Power Supply Perfect for Multiple Devices (ft. Dura Supreme Cabinets)

Pop Up Outlet for Appliances or Laptops (ft. Dura Supreme Cabinets)

Rollout Shelf for Office Supplies or Small Appliances (ft. Omega Cabinets)

Future

One feature that people are asking for it to have is a hidden power supply to charge devices. Kitchen islands have also evolved to be the focal point of many kitchens with many clients asking for the cabinets of the island to be a different color, having the knobs and handles different from the rest of the kitchen, or having bold statement lighting over their island.