Looking for kitchen island ideas with columns that feel like part of the room rather than something to hide? Think navy posts, simple white paneling or tall shelves beside your countertop.
These kitchens give you plenty of ways to work a column into the look.
You can keep things simple or go all out with decorative trim. I especially love the ideas with little display shelves.
Save your favorite details to discuss with your kitchen designer before making any structural changes.
Kitchen islands with columns worth saving
navy posts and matching trim
We’re starting off strong with these gorgeous navy columns. I love how the dark color continues across the overhead beam and down onto the island.
The white end cabinets keep the whole kitchen from being all navy.
Try repeating the X-shaped details on your island front if you want to follow this look.
white panels and black stools
How pretty is this white column? The inset panels and wide trim at the ceiling give it a little extra detail without adding another color.
Pair a white island with black stools and clear pendant lights for a similar combination. That black faucet is a lovely finishing touch.
dark vertical stripes
If you want your column to look a little different, this one is for you. Narrow dark ridges run all the way to the ceiling beside the plain white island.
I love that the same striped detail appears on the wall beyond it. The black cone-shaped pendants look so good here too.
white columns framing the kitchen
Don’t want your columns to match a dark island? No problem!
These two views show white posts beside darker island cabinets, with a long opening between them.
The curved brackets in the top view are especially cute. Choose that detail if you like a more decorative frame, or keep the straight lines shown below.
soft gray and shaded pendants
This is actually one of my favorite neutral combinations here. The pale paneled column sits beside a darker gray-beige island, with cream cabinets behind it.
I love the simple drum-shaped pendant shades. Try a similar shape if you’d rather skip clear glass lights.
a simple white frame
If you are looking for something understated, this one is for you. A white column meets the end of the counter, with matching trim continuing across the opening.
The open-weave stools with black legs are my favorite part. They bring a little pattern to all those plain white surfaces.
tall brown columns
I am obsessed with the trim on these tall brown columns. The layered tops and long inset panels are so pretty next to the gray-beige cabinets.
Notice how the nearest column stands beside the island rather than on its countertop. You can take inspiration from the matching overhead trim without copying the entire layout.
brown posts and blue seating
How cute are these blue patterned stools? They sit beside a dark brown island and a matching square post, with black lantern-shaped lights above.
Read also: 20 Kitchen Island With Seating Ideas for Your Next Kitchen Update
The brown range hood ties into the column beautifully. I’d keep that repeated color if you’re planning a similar kitchen.
shelves beside a white post
Calling all shelf lovers, this is such a pretty idea. Open brown shelves sit between white posts at the end of the counter, with dishes above and colorful books below.
Try mixing a few favorite bowls with your cookbooks instead of filling every shelf with the same thing.
white paneling and globe lights
This white island has a little something extra everywhere you look. There’s a tall paneled column, diagonal trim across the base and open globe-shaped pendant lights.
Don’t want to add more detail? Follow the seating here with simple dark backless stools.
rustic braces and dark cabinets
I love this chunky brown post with its angled braces. The knots and darker marks are visible right down to the X-shaped panel beside the island.
The dark cabinets and clear bell-shaped pendants are just as pretty. Keep those simpler pieces if you want the posts and ceiling beams to stand out.
rough gray and open cubbies
If you’re looking for something less polished-looking, go with this rough gray column beside a straight-lined island. The brown cabinet fronts and slim black pendants keep the rest simple.
Read also: 20 Kitchen Island Ideas With Stove and Storage Details to Save
Those little end shelves are worth saving too. A bowl, a few books and a basket are enough to dress them up.
a brown counter and white chairs
How sweet is this breakfast-bar setup? The glossy brown counter wraps past a white paneled column, with white ladder-back chairs along two sides.
I especially love the turned leg beneath the outer corner. It gives that end of the counter a table-like look.
a rustic post beside the island
This is another way to work around a column without putting it through the countertop. The rough brown post stands just beyond the white island and meets the darker beams above.
The island itself stays simple, with a pale brown top and dark chairs. I’d keep that easy color combination.
Read also: 20 Kitchen Island Dining Table Combo Ideas to Inspire Your Space
pale green and weathered posts
This pale green kitchen may just be one of my favorites here. I love the uneven coloring on the posts beside those neat paneled cabinets.
The dark countertop and black chairs look gorgeous together. Add a vase of colorful flowers if you want a little extra color like the arrangement by the window.
cream shelves around a dark column
Want your column to be more than a plain vertical shape? This kitchen rendering shows cream shelves wrapping around a dark post above the island.
The glossy burgundy cabinets are a bold choice too. For a quieter variation, you could borrow just the shelf detail and keep your existing cabinet colors.
pale columns and a lattice rack
There’s so much to love about this island, from the pale paneled column to the diamond-shaped storage rack at the end. The black cabinet handles are a nice little detail against the white doors.
Read also: 20 White Painted Kitchen Cabinets Ideas to Inspire Your Kitchen
Try a bowl of orange-colored fruit on the counter for a splash of color. It looks so pretty in this otherwise neutral kitchen.
a tall display tower
I am obsessed with this tall shelving feature beside the island. The brown tower reaches the ceiling, with open compartments facing the dining area.
The trailing plant is my favorite detail. Try placing one on a middle shelf so the leaves hang beside your books, as they do here.
little shelves on both sides
Don’t want a large decorative column? Look at this slim white post between two sets of open shelves.
The pale brown cubbies display white bowls and vases without crowding the island end.
I love how simple this arrangement is. Keep your display to a few pieces if you want the same uncluttered look.
a white base and brown beams
Last but definitely not least, we have this brown post with a white paneled base. I love that you don’t have to choose just one finish for the whole column!
The muted green cabinets and white tiled wall look lovely behind it. Borrow the split-color column detail if you want to tie brown ceiling beams into a kitchen with painted cabinetry.