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Kitchen Islands
Kitchen Islands
There’s something undeniably comforting about an island. Perhaps because it brings people together. It becomes an anchor in the heart of a kitchen where life unfolds. It’s where we drop off grocery bags, prepare meals, and unwind to recount our day, glass in hand.
Over the years, the island has become the focal point of the kitchen. Beloved for its versatility, it offers additional storage, a dining area, a work surface, and sometimes even a sink or cooktop. It is also symbolic, representing a place of transition and relaxation, a bridge between the kitchen’s structure and the rhythm of the lives it serves.
At Ateliers Jacob, no two islands are alike. Each one is shaped by the room, the everyday life, and the way we inhabit the kitchen. Whether it stands proudly at the center or extends seamlessly from the counter, the island adapts. It can accommodate a dining area, offer a generous work surface, conceal appliances, or multiply storage spaces. Designed with care, each island becomes a point of balance—practical yet inviting—that connects uses with aesthetics. A place of passage, but also of gathering.
Kitchens Islands, Made in Quebec
To inspire you, we’ve curated a collection of our creations featuring a central island. From contemporary kitchens with clean lines to farmhouse styles with warm textures, each project demonstrates expertise we’ve honed since 1987. An experienced cabinetmaker and kitchen designer, Ateliers Jacob designs and manufactures its kitchens in Quebec, with constant attention to the quality of materials, durability, and practical use of space.
The Art of Balanced Space
Before dreaming up a kitchen island design, you need to consider what’s already there. First, the available space. As our team outlines in the article “How to Choose Your Kitchen Island in 4 Steps“:
“Ideally, you need between 36″ to 48″ of traffic space around the island to ensure smooth circulation and impacts its size.”
If the island is too cramped, it becomes a hindrance. Poorly positioned, it disrupts the flow.
Thoughtful positioning is key. For a kitchen to function effortlessly, movements must flow naturally. The activity triangle—connecting the sink, stove, and refrigerator—plays a key role here. Properly sized, it allows for frictionless movement, allowing for preparation, washing, and storage without unnecessary effort. An ergonomic layout not only improves functionality, but also creates an environment where cooking is a daily pleasure.
We explore this further in our article dedicated to designing a kitchen focused on well-being.
Designing for Everyday Life
A kitchen isn’t just about square footage or style. It’s also about lifestyle. That’s why, at Ateliers Jacob, every project begins with a conversation. Around a cup of coffee, we learn about your daily life, your gestures, and your lifestyle.
These conversations are the foundation of the design process. They give rise to ideas that truly resonate, bridging function and intention.
And that’s where the island takes shape. Not only around the dimensions of the space, but above all, around the life it will support. It can accommodate a sink, become a cooking area, or simply offer a clear surface where objects naturally find their place. It sometimes becomes a coffee corner, a spot for meals on the go, or a quiet place where children can tinker while a meal simmers gently.
To help guide your planning, we’ve also created a detailed guide that explores what to consider when choosing your island.
Inspirations: Kitchens Islands
We invite you to explore these projects, where every detail has been carefully considered. Perhaps they’ll spark your next kitchen project, high-end, unique, and built to last.
