What's making your kitchen island look cheap? 5 things to look out for, according to designers

At the heart of your kitchen, your island is a truly important feature of your design. It serves as the heart of the room for cooking and socializing, but when the design or decor isn't quite right, it can throw off the aesthetic and flow of your entire kitchen.

While we often talk about all the things you should do with your kitchen island, there are some mistakes you'll want to avoid if you don't want to end up with an island that makes your kitchen look cheap.

From layout and size to style and decor, these are the five things you need to look out for that could be making your kitchen island look cheap – plus designer advice on what you should try instead.

5 things making your kitchen island look cheap

From easy swaps to slightly larger fixes, there are a few things that could be ruining the overall look and feel of your kitchen island. Here's what to look out for if you want your kitchen island to look more expensive, and designer-approved alternatives.

1. Too much clutter

Your kitchen island is at the heart of your cooking space – it's probably the first feature your eye sees when you walk in. So, if the island countertops are covered in clutter, it will instantly look less elevated.

'Too much clutter is something that will always cheapen the look of a space, regardless, and kitchen islands are no exception. Take advantage of under-the-counter storage space for cooking tools and utensils, and style your island intentionally when it's not actively used for food prep,' says interior designer Kathy Kuo.

Styling your kitchen island to make it feel more elevated requires a careful balance of aesthetic features and items that feel at home in a kitchen. 'An understated vase of fresh flowers always looks lovely, as does an artful stack of cookbooks or a pretty crock to hold larger utensils,' suggests Kathy.

2. A dated or worn-out countertop

It's less simple to fix that clutter, but your kitchen countertop could be the answer to why your kitchen island looks cheap. Whether it's an outdated design or simply worn out and damaged, it's probably the first part of your island you notice.

Your countertop material choice should be guided by your household and the way you use your kitchen. While marble countertops are a beautiful, timeless choice, you need to be willing to commit to the upkeep and like the way it naturally wears over time.

If you need something lower maintenance and more durable, look to materials like porcelain, which can handle wear and tear with little to no damage, especially if your island is the heart of food prep and cooking.

You can also elevate the look of your island countertops by introducing a decorative edge, like in this design. It softens the edges and often helps to prevent damage to sharp corners that are prone to knocks.

3. Low-quality bar stools

You might think of bar or counter stools as a functional feature for kitchen island seating that sits beneath your counters. However, they have a bigger impact on the look of your design than you might think.

So, choosing the right stools is really important, as bad quality or a style that jars with your island will instantly make it look basic. This doesn't mean you can't opt for a simple stool design, but make sure they are high quality.

This kitchen island is the perfect example of how to get it right. The counter stools introduce warmth and contrast to the deep blue surrounding cabinetry and the white island.

4. An oversized design

Sometimes, the thing that's making your kitchen island look cheap can be the design itself. One mistake people make is choosing an island that's the wrong size for their kitchen, instantly throwing off the balance of the whole kitchen layout. It's something that will take a space from stylish and bespoke to confused and cheap-looking.

'Choosing an island that's simply too large for the space can completely overwhelm the room and cheapen the overall design. A kitchen island should enhance the flow of the space, not disrupt it. When it's too big, it not only looks out of place but also makes movement around the kitchen awkward and impractical,' says Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous kitchen company.

'Instead, focus on proportion and purpose. If the space is limited, opt for a smaller, more thoughtfully designed island or even a beautifully crafted kitchen peninsula. The key is balance – choosing a size and shape that complements your kitchen's dimensions while still offering the function you need.'

5. Too many contrasting materials

Designing a kitchen island is a lesson in restraint – too much contrast can create a visually chaotic scheme and end up making your island look confused and mismatched, rather than a bold feature.

'An island that uses too many contrasting materials will feel out of place and disrupt the overall design aesthetic, lessening the overall elegance of a space,' says Selena Quick, founder and managing director, PAD Kitchens.

'We prioritize simplicity, functionality, quality materials, and integrated appliances in every island design, prioritizing storage solutions within the overall design scheme to ensure a kitchen island can easily be kept tidy and organized,' she explains.

The key to getting it right is cohesion. If you've introduced a bold countertop stone, let the colors guide the palette for the rest of your design. Try to include no more than three colors throughout your design, like this island, which has a timeless palette of white, dark blue, and a jewel-toned blue.

While it can seem overwhelming if you need to change your countertops or rethink your layout, these are fixes that will last a lifetime. And if none of these features resonate, it's probably looking elsewhere in your kitchen to find out what is ruining your design – it could be something making your kitchen cabinets look cheap