Get creative with your kitchen island

Kitchen islands are simply too good to keep in the kitchen. See how you can use one in other parts of your home with a little bit of imagination.

A kitchen island in a living room with the overhead frame used as storage space and a rod for blue curtains.

A multi-purpose kitchen island

More versatile than a coffee table, less food-oriented than your dining table. It’s also higher than a normal table, making it more accessible for family and friends to stand or sit around. Play board games, do homework – and set up that puppet show.

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A kitchen island used as a desk in front of white glass cabinets with stools in front. Curtains hang from the frame.

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Gather the family for fun and games

Challenge your family or friends with some gaming. A classic puzzle will keep you busy for days!

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An island used as a desk with a blue/grey work lamp, blue curtains and a board game on top. Two stools are in front.

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Keep necessities close

Use the shelves in your ‘kitchen island desk’ for storing things you want nearby, such as pens, papers and books, or games. Hide anything you don’t want to display inside neat seagrass baskets.

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Three seagrass baskets and books on the lower shelves of a kitchen island in blue/oak that is being used as a desk.

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For added value, add a curtain

Put a curtain on your island, and suddenly children will have a stage ready for playful performances. Here we made our own version using AINA fabric. If you prefer not to sew, JOFRID throw works just as well.

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A close-up of a blue curtain hanging from the overhead frame of a kitchen island.

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A welcome organiser

The island can serve as a clever room divider in an open-plan home. Try it near the door to keep your entrance welcoming and organised.

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A VADHOLMA kitchen island with rack in black/oak used as room divider in a hallway and to store clothes and accessories.

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Plan for a clean getaway

The area by your front door can’t be too organised. After all, smooth entries and exits are a need we all share. The island makes it easy to tailor your departure – and still leaves room for more playful activities.

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The shelves of an IKEA VADHOLMA kitchen island in black/oak used for storing bags and more inside a hallway.

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We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.