In a recent Wall Street Journal article I read, the Design and Decorating section discussed why some people are trending away from having kitchen islands and opting for a dining table instead.
Back in the 80’s and 90’s, I remember going to friends houses and seeing big kitchen islands and thought to myself as a young teenager, “wow they must be rich”. And who knows, that may have been true for some families where I was from on Long Island. Then in the 90’s, everyone had one. It was actually expected for home builders to include them when designing a new home. People wanted the island.
Early on, the concept of a kitchen island dates back to the 1800s with traditional European homes having worktables in front of stoves.
1930s:
Frank Lloyd Wright began designing houses for the middle class, incorporating islands that allowed families to stay in touch with guests while preparing food.
1940s -1950s:
Built-ins were big, and islands started to emerge as a way to add extra counter space and storage.
1970s & 80s:
As open floor plans became more popular, and appliances took up more space, islands evolved into a practical solution for extra prep space and storage.
1980s & Beyond:
The island became a focal point for gathering and entertaining, with designs evolving to include "eat bars" and other features.
Flexibility and Versatility: Kitchen tables afford homeowners greater flexibility in design and functionality compared to islands. They can be relocated within or outside the room if needed, offering convenience and adaptability.
Many dining tables have an extension leaf feature that allows you to enlarge the space during special events and then condense it afterward, optimizing space efficiency—a key aspect making these tables versatile and functional for multiple kinds of dining settings and spatial layouts. Whether you chose to be trendy OR traditional, choose what suits your family and your space. Many hours will be spent in the kitchen cooking, gathering with friends and family or simply enjoying the space you designed with intention and love. Make those moments memorable. For more information on creating your perfect kitchen, contact us at Molto. We look forward to hearing from you.
The Mid-Century design style (also known as MidMod and MCM) is a significant design movement from the mid 20th century aka 1950’s, characterized by minimal sleek lines, mixing of organic & geometric shapes, surprising uses of materials, and dramatic textures.
As a teenager or young adult, I never felt that I “loved to cook”. For me, it was a chore or something that I “had” to do because my mom told me to help in the all-dreaded kitchen. However, now, married to someone who enjoys cooking, I have a new outlook and perspective. We are “Cooking Experiences” together and creating memories with our meals! Many factors contribute to this love or hate relationship that so many have with cooking; personality traits, prior cooking experiences, knowledge passed down from one generation to the next. If you can shift your mindset to “I want to cook experiences,” you can actually enjoy the time spent in your kitchen.
