- Design Inspo
The Best New Kitchen Peninsula Ideas To Try Now
They say no man is an island. But is anyone a peninsula? Merriman Webster defines a peninsula as "a portion of land nearly surrounded by water and connected with a larger body by an isthmus" (for more word describing fun - isthmus is a narrow body of land connecting two-part landmasses.) Correspondingly, a kitchen peninsula connects your cooking space to the rest of your living space.
For two reasons - the prevalence of today's open living plans coupled with kitchens becoming a central stage for life's different scenes - these handy architectural add-on’s have become quite buzzy in modern kitchen design, indeed. Here, Nest Casa studies what they are, how they function and what makes them look amazing.
What Are Kitchen Peninsulas?
First, what is a kitchen peninsula? Specifically these units differ from a freestanding kitchen island that is accessible from all sides and frequently do not contain seating. The kitchen peninsula is attached to a kitchen wall and, as a result, often forms an L-shape.
Second, they generally contain ample storage space as well as a large surface perfect for food prep and other non-cooking activities. Most importantly, they usually have an extended top surface that allows for stool seating facing the kitchen. This casual seating serves up the perfect setting for quick, communal dining to demonstrate.
Which Spaces Are Best For Kitchen Peninsulas?
Obviously, not every space can support a kitchen peninsula. Primarily, space has to involve an open kitchen floor plan. However, the kitchen peninsula can make an excellent argument for knocking down a wall between a kitchen and the adjacent room. Alternatively, a kitchen peninsula can also work in a small open space that isn’t large enough to accommodate a freestanding kitchen island.
Certainly Nest Casa loves a kitchen peninsula stationed within a modern, expansive home, that isn't the only setting in which this design element works well. Expressly, kitchen peninsulas can work in a multitude of other types of homes. Depending on the style of materials used, even an older home can implement this architectural feature, for instance. Chiefly, older homes have highly-compartmentalized spaces, so a kitchen peninsula provides an easy option for removing non-support walls to open up a kitchen and living space to make a home feel more modern.
In particular, the kitchen featured below uses a kitchen peninsula effectively and dramatically. With its narrow galley style kitchen, which juts up against a wide set of steps, this peninsula, for example, defines the two spaces without interrupting the room's visual flow. In effect, this home remodel turned a Victorian-era home into a modern marvel.
The Most Inspiring Kitchen Peninsulas
The Clean Look
Notably, this Westminster London apartment featured above epitomizes what Nest Casa loves in a kitchen peninsula. Ultimately an exercise in purity and clean design, this marble peninsula serves as an architectural detail while harmoniously delineating an open space. For the fuss-free fanatic, this "Peter the Knight' apartment is especially a dream come true.
In the same vein, this HGTV featured Ford-Collin restored house project uses a massive show of Carrera marble to anchor the calm, neutral color palette of white and varying shades of unfinished wood. Not every home (or cook) requires seating, so this version particularly demonstrates the visual impact of a seat-free kitchen peninsula.
Space Savers
As previously mentioned, kitchen peninsulas can also be perfect for petite spaces. The Dziurdzia Project in Warsaw, Poland, specializes in design for small apartments, in general. This 62-meter apartment functions as well as it looks. To emphasize, the white kitchen peninsula with tiles in sage green, and accented by natural wood, weaves in the apartment’s tonal and textural themes to register a sense of continuity while working to effectively separate the space.
The Invisible Peninsula
Then, there is the seamless kitchen peninsula.This home significantly defines the magic of space and light when combined in the right context. Set in the American Southwest desert, this midcentury design dream house plays upon the desert's monochromatic color scheme, layering shades of brown. To emphasize, the kitchen peninsula is camouflaged as it rests between the dining room and kitchen. Given the relaxed comfort of this home, it makes it the perfect spot for dining for two when the eight-seat formal table is not in need.
The Best Styling Accessories For Kitchen Peninsulas
Ideally, once a kitchen peninsula is realized within a home, the goal is to keep it visually clean. In other words, do not make this a place to let your daily life chtockies accumulate. According to Sara Colombo, Nest Casa founder, anything exposed out in the open should be beautiful to look at and coordinate with the surrounding area.
Countertop Accessories
Of course, this isn't to say that these things can be functional, too. For example, dramatic fruit bowls, intricate trays, decorative jar sets, and barware can all make your kitchen peninsula as purposeful as it is visually inspiring.
Gold Fill - By and large, this asymmetrical Intuizioni bowl from Zenetto looks equally good full of produce or starkly empty.
The Great Blue Divide - Merging the influences found at the intersection of Europe and the Far East, eyeing this Hermés bowl daily is a treat indeed.
How Riveting - To be sure, the combination of its black body, gold studding and oval shapes makes this L'Object Teo serving bowl a standout.
Feelin Dotty - Obviously, Jonathan Adler's Palm Springs graphic black and white bowl will liven up any space.
Conversation Starter - 1st Dibs Sugar Fruit Bowl definitely begs an explanation, what better place than a kitchen peninsula to discuss.
Jars of Stature - These StoneLab design 4 season black and white marble impose a decorative stance for storage.
Pratical Abstraction - Marble House's oval tray is an intriguing piece of artwork on one hand and sturdy surface to present food on the other.
Clearly, A Winner - This clear stackable tray set from AVF Home defines versatility and serves up nicely come cocktail hour.
Wood Cuts - The best of both worlds' is captured in this FiammettaV Home Collection marble and wood cutting board.
Rustic Charm - This pear wood cutting board from Stefano Ruffo breaks it down to the beauty of raw, simple wood.
A Cut Above - A decanter statement piece from Saint-Louis Crystal gives any kitchen peninsula a clear style advantage.
Clever Cube - A handsome cube in black lacquer disguises a sleek ice bucket from Arca Horn.
Seating Options
In general, most kitchen peninsula designs involve an edit of seating options. Even if a barstool brings to mind a bar scene (chic or otherwise), it's essential to realize how these practical seats can add specific design flare. Based on materials, seating can add depth and texture to a peninsula. First, though, the trick is to decide which style suits your purpose: ie. with or without a back? Next, the tricky part will be deciding which style to option. Here are just a few of the myriad of the chicest kitchen peninsula seating styles to choose from.
Upon A Pedestool - Like the name Zeus implies, this Golia bar stool by Maurizio Peregalli presents a deep cushion seat atop a pointed four-legged base.
Saddle Up - Classic and refined and extremely comfortable, this Sawyer Saddle Bar Stool from One King's Lane brings the range home.
To A T - Restoration Hardware's elegant Contemporary Klismos fabric stool contrasts dark wood and soft, pale cushion.
Dream Weavers - In grey or black, Mark Albrecht's Studio updates a classic folding lawn chair into these modern counter stools
Old World Charm - Woven seagrass set back and seat paired with smooth, earth tone wood frame makes this antique stool a forever chair.
A Zebra In The House - Missoni Home's bar stool weaves the iconic pattern in black and white for a wild (animal) effect.
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