Why Home Chefs Prefer Kitchen Tables Over Islands: Their Surprising Reason

With the widespread prevalence, almost necessity, of having a central island, a kitchen lacking this feature now seems unconventional. Interior designer Sarah Stacey based in Austin, Texas, observes this shift: "People are moving away from kitchens designed with an overbearing permanence and instead favoring elements that introduce character and adaptability." To many individuals, this preference leans towards incorporating a traditional kitchen table. As Mélanie Cherrier, who leads the firm Blanc Marine Intérieurs in Montreal, articulates, "An oversized island can strip all sense of warmth and individuality out of the space."

At this point, homeowners discuss their reasons for pausing their island lifestyle.

"My spouse and I are both architects, so when constructing our home, we chose a table instead of an island as we felt the latter could become too dominant. An island tends to be large, lengthy, and quite fixed in place. During trips across Europe with our kids, every Airbnb we stayed at featured substantial farm-style dining tables, which proved highly functional. These tables added warmth and intimacy to each space." — Hisako Ichiki, co-founder Bunch Design, Los Angeles

"Our living room and kitchen form one large space. When I'm seated on the couch, I prefer gazing at an attractive dining table instead of the edge of a kitchen island." —Isabel Burton, Brooklyn, N.Y.

"Our home is 103 years old, and the wooden farm table shares in that history." —Marie-Pier Lord, whose Montreal kitchen is shown below.

"We're remodeling, and I'm removing the island and bar seating. My four daughters primarily use it as a catch-all area for their belongings since it's the first spot they reach after coming back from school. Additionally, if your children assist with cooking, it's far safer to have them sitting at the kitchen table learning how to handle knives rather than perched on a barstool." —Anne Martin, Nashville, Tenn.

"I tend to lose focus when preparing meals, so having someone perched on a barstool directly in front of me while I'm cutting and stirring seems awful." —Jena Schenk, Los Angeles

"In our New York apartment, I avoid chopping at the island since the stools are positioned on the side far from where most of the preparation happens. Cooking often leaves me tired as I end up standing for long periods. However, when we're at our summer home, I enjoy shucking corn while seated in one of the cushioned, high-back chairs around the kitchen table. This setup works well for my children too; they’re aged two, six, and eight, and can easily sit or stand without needing to get off a stool frequently. Unlike an island, this arrangement warmly invites everyone to pull up a chair, unwind, and spend time together while I cook." — Taryn Blank, Sag Harbor, N.Y.

“We had a peninsula before and it really broke up the look. Now we have a big table in the middle, and the kitchen feels larger. To keep the storage space we added a built-in hutch next to our table. It looks much nicer than just more cabinets under an island. I’ve found we respect the space more with a table. When my kids are doing homework, they have to pack it all away when they’ve finished because it needs to be clear for dinner. It’s an unexpected perk.” —Whitney Hayden, Boston

" Tables offer greater versatility. I strongly favor having elegant furnishings that can be moved around instead of everything being fixed in place. Additionally, if additional seating is required, it's simple to bring chairs from other areas of the home." — Matt Berninger, Venice, Calif.

"We chose a café-style table in the kitchen for our coffee or lunch. It feels gloomy when two individuals sit side-by-side at a countertop sipping their coffee; it reminds me of being in a bar." —Edna Moran, Lake Ariel, Penn.