Anne Hathaway’s Kitchen Island Breaks the Mold: Experts Say Its Smart ‘Conversation Seating’ Design Will Set Trends in 2026

The kitchen truly is the heart of the home, and the kitchen island is invariably its center. In Anne Hathaway's space, a long overhang transforms her island from a mere afterthought into a gorgeous gathering spot – perfect for cozy fall evenings or preparing holiday meals.

The actress's kitchen island is part of a home redesign executed by the acclaimed Studio Shamshiri. Hathaway's kitchen features mint-colored lower cabinets, wooden upper shelving, and copper pots hanging on hooks behind a white and gold stove. Black countertops provide a sharp contrast to the wood countertop on her island. This furniture-like piece has cabinets underneath, with an extension surrounded by barstools.

The design is a masterclass in creating a space for living, not just for looks. Echo Lattner, principal designer at Echo Marie Studio in Santa Fe, states: 'Anne Hathaway’s large island overhang contributes to the kitchen’s inviting atmosphere by providing a place for guests and kitchen collaborators to easily pull up a stool on three sides of the island.' These simple but beautiful wooden stools from Wayfair are a close dupe of those in Anne's space, and just perfect for a social setting.

'This allows for conversational seating in the space, unlike standard overhangs that limit seating to one side of the counter,' Echo says.

Shop the Anne Hathaway-inspired edit

The island kitchen countertop idea also offers practical cooking benefits. Ruben Gutierrez, Principal at Miami-based Errez Design, says: 'The effect of the large overhang on this kitchen island is unmistakable. It’s all about practicality, but with a touch of grace. That overhang extends the workspace. It doesn’t overwhelm the room, but it gives the island presence, making it the heart of the kitchen.'

Though highly functional, Hathaway's island doesn't sacrifice aesthetics. Gutierrez tells Homes & Gardens: 'The overhang works because it creates visual balance in the room. It extends just enough to provide function – extra seating or workspace –without overwhelming the overall design. It adds depth and dimension to the island, which in turn complements the open shelving, the clean lines, and the soft kitchen color palette. The overhang softens the structure of the island, making it feel less blocky and more integrated into the space. It’s not just an extension of the countertop – it enhances the flow of the kitchen, making it feel cohesive, warm, and inviting.'

'The extended counter allows for extra visibility to show off the detailed cabinet construction beyond that would otherwise be hard to fully appreciate,' adds Lattner.

The island's easy functionality and gorgeous look make it an excellent model for current design.

Lattner states: 'The combination of a furniture-inspired island, and extended overhang is an excellent introduction for renters with open, farm style kitchen layouts that need additional seating while also requiring island function and storage in place of a table.'

If you love the kitchen layout, luckily, it's easy to recreate. Lattner advises: 'Anyone can create a similar extended overhang look by utilizing either a found furniture island or by constructing a new legged island, introducing wood and adding appropriate support for the island style. The key to its success is that the overall island feels like a piece of furniture and has charm in and of itself. The extended countertop and support fin lean into the nostalgia of a flip-top table.'

Before jumping in, be sure to plan your kitchen properly. Gutierrez cautions: 'You don’t want the overhang to feel tacked on – you want it to flow with the rest of the kitchen. Choose materials that echo what’s already in the space: warm woods, soft tones, something that feels like it’s been there forever but still feels fresh. Keep it functional, but don’t sacrifice the aesthetics.'

Practicality and beauty needn't be mutually exclusive, and Anne Hathaway's kitchen is a prime example.