The Kitchen Island Trend No One Saw Coming For 2025

There are several key decisions you'll need to make before you commit to adding a kitchen island during your next remodeling project. You'll need to determine which functional features are most important for you and your family. Are you looking for more seating or more storage? If you're going to add a stove or a sink, you'll find that connecting the electricity and plumbing can be a tricky process. Next, you'll need to consider the cost of your kitchen island, and set a budget. The price of your island will vary greatly depending on the material you're going to use for your countertops. Finally, you'll need to determine what decorative features your island is going to have. One of the trendiest ways to make your island look more luxurious is to give your countertops a mitered edge.

Countertops with a mitered edge are cut with an inward-facing, forty-five degree slope along the sides, and then fitted with another piece of identical stone that's cut at a matching angle. Once the two pieces are combined, they'll look like a single seamless surface. When you have a mitered edge on each side of your kitchen island, the countertop material will appear to be much thicker than it actually is, which will make your entire space feel incredibly high-end. To complete the look, paint your kitchen with a few colors that'll make your kitchen look expensive without the cost.

The first and most obvious benefit of a mitered edge countertop is its stunning visual appeal, especially in a modern interior. Because a mitered edge has the appearance of a thicker edge, the island becomes even more of an eye-catching focal point. When you install this countertop in your kitchen, you'll get to choose how far the material will run down the side of your cabinets. Mitered cuts are always an option if you want waterfall edges, which are arrangements in which the countertop appears to flow vertically all the way down to the floor. Mitered edge countertops don't have any visual seams, so they're usually quite easy to clean and seal.

The biggest downside to using a mitered edge countertop in your kitchen is the cost. Not only will you be paying for a few more square inches of countertop material, but you'll also have to commission a professional to install it — aligning the veining of the two pieces that meet at the joint can be a tricky business. Mitered countertops can also weigh quite a bit more, which means the cabinets and substrate beneath them need to be durable. Additionally, a mitered joint can sometimes weaken or become more visible over time, depending on material and installation quality.

Mitered edges tend to work best in kitchens with a modern interior design profile, and, as a result, they're not necessarily suitable for every home. Thankfully, there are several alternative looks to choose from. Straight edges offer the same square profile as mitered edges, but won't make as much of a statement because they're not as thick. They're also not as common because they can be a painful nuisance if you accidentally walk into them. Eased edges have a similar square look, but with a slight turn around the top and bottom. They're great for spaces with minimalist interior design and decor.

If you're looking for a countertop profile that curves a bit more, or looks circular when viewed from the side, you might want to try a rounded edge or bullnose edge. Both of these options can also make your countertop a little bit stronger and less likely to chip when something bangs against it. Bullnose cuts, which are the most round, are typically the safest option for homes with younger children as they don't have any sharp edges. And finally, if you're looking for a way to make your countertop more ornate, you might want to opt for a cove, ogee, or Dupont edge instead. Before you select an edge for your island, make sure to work on choosing a countertop color that gives your kitchen the right vibe.