35 KITCHEN PENINSULA IDEAS THAT ARE PRETTY AND FUNCTIONAL

The best kitchen peninsula ideas can add extra counter space and seating to your kitchen with a functional layout. A kitchen peninsula is different than a kitchen island because it is not freestanding but attached to the countertops, often forming an L-shape.

Peninsulas come in handy whether you're entertaining, preparing food, or sitting down to enjoy a casual meal.

If you're looking to add a peninsula to your kitchen or have one already but need some help styling it, you won't want to miss out on the 35 beautiful kitchen peninsula ideas below.

Brighten Up

Installing pendant lights above your peninsula elevates the casual dining experience and means that you don't need to solely rely on severe overhead fixtures. As shown above, the pendant lights also section off the open layout, creating division between the prep space and dining area of this kitchen.

Try a Soothing Blue

Bring on the blue. The peninsula—and the lower cabinets in this kitchen—all look lovely coated in a robin's egg color. The vibrancy of this shade of blue pops against the neutral backsplash and white cabinets.

Experiment With Color

Just because your cabinets are white, it doesn't mean your peninsula can't boast a little color. Whether you opt for a subtle hue or go bold is entirely your choice. Contrast of any kind always adds more visual interest to any room.

Say Hello to Shiplap

It's all in the details: This peninsula's shiplap siding plays off of the nearby range hood, which is also made from the material. This creates cohesion, merging everything seamlessly.

Add Architectural Intrigue

This neutral peninsula may be plain in color, but it certainly doesn't lack style thanks to its board and batten backing.

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Get Party Ready

Hosting has never been easier than it is with a peninsula like this one. The wine fridge strategically placed next to the palm-leaf-patterned chairs makes every hour happy hour in this house. The extra counter space also leaves plenty of room for a side of apps, too!

Commit to Coastal Design

If you love coastal design, try a peninsula setup like this one. Blues, whites, and wicker textures are always welcome.

Hide the Microwave

No ideal spot for the microwave? Go ahead and incorporate it into your peninsula design, as seen here. No more staring at unsightly appliances.

Stash Away Those Bottles

Wine lovers, this one's for you. This peninsula features built-in bottle holders—organization at its finest. This solution is excellent for those who don't want to waste precious cabinet space storing bottles galore.

Keep It Simple

There's nothing wrong with a simple setup like this one. Keeping your peninsula minimal and clutter free will ensure you always have plenty of space for meal prep.

Tuck Away Your Books

Bring on the books! This peninsula features useful shelves that are always welcome in a kitchen where storage options are always essential. Not a cookbook collector? Fill shelves with glassware, extra vases, liquor bottles, or anything else you like.

Go Wide

This peninsula features a marble countertop with a lengthy overhang, making it easy to tuck stools all the way underneath and out of the way when not in use. The extra space also makes more room for dining, preventing cramping when eating in group settings.

Keep It Sleek

This peninsula is oh-so-sleek. Low-profile, barely-there chairs add a high-end touch to the kitchen. Having minimal storage and appliances on the countertops also contributes to this clean look.

Add Personal Touches

Decorate your peninsula with pieces that speak to you—hang open shelving above it for chic storage, hang or lean framed art, and finish off the look with some potted plants. For an extra special touch, string some garland along the shelving for a whimsical, lively feel, as shown here.

Divide and Conquer

This green peninsula sections off the kitchen from the nearby dining space while serving as the ideal spot in which to enjoy an afternoon snack or flip through a cookbook. Creating designated zones in this way is particularly helpful when styling an open layout.

Infuse Warmth

Wood tones can add so much warmth to any space. Here, wooden bar stools make this kitchen extra charming and inviting.

Make It Monochrome

If you're into monochrome spaces, select bar stools that closely complement your cabinet paint color to create a seamless setup. From there, you can add pops of color with decor, such as the light blue planter shown here.

Vary Your Hues

Can't commit to just one color in the kitchen? Try painting your peninsula in a hue that's different from your cabinets. White and green are always a show stopping combo.

Pick Chairs That Talk

The chairs you select for your peninsula can really shape your space and help to make it look more complete. These wooden and wire beauties are certainly full of personality and style.

Don't Forget About Storage

This peninsula features open storage on the side, which is handy when it comes to tucking away cookbooks, baskets, and the like. Finding clever built-in storage solutions like this helps keep your kitchen clutter-free, making more opportunities for cooking and entertaining (and less straightening up).

Be Bright

Add some pep to your kitchen with bold green barstools that will pop against any peninsula. Even if your kitchen is all-white like this one, a little color never hurts.

Accessorize It

Accessories like candles and vases aren't just for the coffee table; they're welcome on the peninsula, too. With all the time you spend in your kitchen, you deserve to make the space feel homey and cozy using small, thoughtful touches.

Think Strategically About Seating

Consider how you plan to use your peninsula before purchasing furniture. For example, if you're going to use the surface for everyday meals, you may wish to go with bar stools that have full-backs, which are designed for maximum comfort.

Combine Wood and Marble

This peninsula slants into the kitchen, adding visual interest to the space. We love the combo of classic wood and mod marble.

Host Like a Pro

This peninsula makes it easy to pop open a bottle of bubbly whenever the mood strikes, all thanks to the built-in wine fridge. This also helps keep your main fridge more organized.

Choose Curves

While many peninsulas feature sharp, 90-degree edges, opt for a curved look if you feel like veering off the beaten path in your kitchen. The curved edges of the stools pictured here also create a seamless, intentional aesthetic.

Gather Around

This setup demonstrates just how useful peninsulas can be for entertaining. It's easy for everyone to gather around and help themselves to drinks and appetizers, and being near the sink makes for speedy cleanup.

Pick a Pattern

Have fun with your peninsula and jazz it up a bit using some tile. This art deco design is nice and bold. It creates a beautiful contrast against the rest of the neutral kitchen.

Keep It Minimal

Consider using acrylic chairs and stools, which take up minimal visual space while still being entirely functional. These would also help prevent overcrowding and traffic jams which can be issues with having a peninsula in the kitchen.

Coordinate Throughout

Here's another example of shiplap artfully spread throughout the kitchen. This peninsula features shiplap backing that plays off of the nearby door wonderfully.

Set a Table for Four

A peninsula can accommodate the whole family if you opt for the right seating. These stools are low profile while still being sizable and make it easy to entertain the entire crew right in the kitchen.

Maximize a Small Space

If you don't have tons of space to hang towels and oven mitts elsewhere in your kitchen, add a bar with hooks to your peninsula. This helps make the most of your layout, even if you're a bit short on square footage.

Let Your Peninsula Do It All

This peninsula serves as part dining and prep area, part command center, thanks to the side hooks, open shelving above it, and small storage drawers placed on top. Especially in small spaces, making your peninsula multifunctional helps you make the most of your kitchen.

Hang Pots and Pans

Copper pots are both functional and beautiful. If you're looking for a clever way to display yours, consider adding a bar to the side of your peninsula and hanging pots there, where they can be easily admired and accessed for cooking.

Show Off Your Style

Let your kitchen peninsula reflect your personal style. If you love a farmhouse aesthetic, for example, design your peninsula to have a weathered, rustic look, like the one shown here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the disadvantages of a peninsula in a kitchen?

There are some potential disadvantages of having a peninsula in the kitchen such as tight corners, traffic jams, and less efficiency in larger kitchens.

What do you put on a kitchen peninsula?

In addition to decor, kitchen peninsulas can be a great storage opportunity. Think both about function and style when deciding what you want to place on your kitchen peninsula. For example, you could find a gorgeous bowl to store your fruit or have a catch-all Lazy Susan to store salt, pepper, napkins, and other dining necessities.

What size should a kitchen peninsula be?

The size of a kitchen peninsula will vary, as it will be entirely dependent on the kitchen layout and square footage. That said, a typical peninsula will measure between 60 and 90 inches. The depth of the peninsula will also align with the depth of the rest of the kitchen's counters, usually around 25.5 inches.

Read Next: 62 Kitchen Island Ideas You'll Want to Copy

Read the original article on The Spruce.

2023-03-30T10:12:56Z dg43tfdfdgfd