Everything You Need to Know Before Designing Your Dream Kitchen
The kitchen island is more than a workspace, it is the heart of the home, both for indoor and outdoor kitchens. Whether you’re cooking under the Texas sun or creating a seamless flow inside an open-concept kitchen, a well placed island can be both functional and striking. At Arete Kitchens we design luxury kitchens for Austin’s unique climate and integrate cutting-edge designs with real-world performance.
Ready to design a kitchen island that turns heads and fits your life? Here’s what’s shaping the most beautiful and efficient islands in 2025.
1. Waterfall Countertop Islands: Seamless and Sculptural
The waterfall edge island continues to dominate design trends for both indoor and outdoor spaces. These designs feature countertops that cascade over the sides to offer a clean and monolithic look.
Why it works:
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Highlights premium materials like Dekton, porcelain, or natural quartz
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Adds a modern, architectural statement to any space
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Especially striking in covered outdoor kitchens with matching vertical surfaces
Arete’s waterfall islands are engineered with precision cuts and weatherproof substrates. Making them perfect for Austin’s humid summers and cool evenings.
2. Kitchen Island Colors: Bold, Natural, and Personalized
While white still holds its ground, 2025 welcomes earthy tones and saturated hues into the spotlight. These bold and natural colors offer a more welcoming atmosphere while still providing sophistication and elegance.
Trending finishes:
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Deep navy and charcoal
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Forest green and olive
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Terracotta, clay, and muted copper
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Natural wood bases with contrasting countertops
Kitchen islands with contrasting colors, or materials, serve as visual anchors in open layouts or outdoor pavilions. This pop of color draws the eye and defines zones effortlessly.
3. Statement Lighting: Layered, Bold, and Purposeful
Lighting isn’t just practical. It’s a chance to make a bold design move. For kitchen islands, oversized pendant lights and layered lighting are leading the way. These types of statement pieces offer more lighting while still remaining elegant and inviting.
What’s trending:
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Sculptural, organic shapes in metal, glass, or stone
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Integrated LED strips beneath countertops or inside drawers
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Dimmer controls for adaptable ambiance from brunch to midnight wine
Arete’s in-house lighting consultants can help you build a lighting plan that enhances functionality while keeping your island front and center.
4. Double Island Layouts: Spacious and Smart
Yes, two islands. And no, it’s not just for mansions. In larger homes and estates across Westlake, Barton Creek, and Bee Cave, dual islands are becoming highly requested.
Why it works:
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One island for prep, and another for entertaining
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Supports a better flow in busy family homes or party-friendly layouts
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Creates dedicated zones for outdoor kitchens with multiple cooking elements
If you have the square footage double islands aren’t just a trend, they are a luxury that pays off in daily convenience. From increased space to cleaner designs, double islands are a statement of luxury designed for daily use.
5. All-White Islands: Classic With a Textural Twist
White island trends still shine in 2025, especially when upgraded with texture, material contrast, and layered finishes. Offering a sleek and modern atmosphere, white islands can be accessorized with colors and textures to make a bold and dramatic statement.
How to modernize the classic:
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Use veined quartz or honed marble for subtle drama
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Pair with matte black fixtures or smoked glass accents
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Incorporate warm wood cabinetry or butcher block inserts
At Arete, we customize all-white islands with high-performance indoor and outdoor materials to offer both durability and elegance.
Bonus Tip: Outdoor Islands Are Going Custom
In Austin, the outdoor kitchen island is evolving beyond the basic BBQ station. More people are adding custom features to their outdoor kitchens with some of the most often requests being:
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Integrated sinks and beverage coolers
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Weatherproof drawers with touch-to-open systems
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Natural stone cladding and UV-resistant finishes
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Covered islands with built-in ventilation and lighting
At Arete we strive to bring the most endearing design trends and tailor outdoor islands. Our kitchens are crafted to stand up to Austin’s heat, moisture levels, and rowdy guests. No matter how many guests you’re hosting.
Experience These Trends at Arete Kitchens in Austin
Reading about trends is inspiring. But seeing them in person, where you can touch the materials, explore layouts, and talk to experts— that is when your kitchen vision becomes a plan.
Whether you’re designing an indoor showpiece or an outdoor entertainment hub, Arete Kitchens offers a curated experience rooted in European craftsmanship and built for Texas living.
Schedule your consultation today or visit our Austin showroom to explore the island styles, materials, and innovations that will define 2025.