Just like in real life, kitchen peninsula is a little bit different from an island. Attached from either of its four sides to a wall or cabinetry, it usually serves as a breakfast/dining area in the cook room. While kitchen island is a convenient working surface, a peninsula makes for an ideal home/snack bar/casual dining area. Contemporary kitchen peninsula designs explore multitude of shapes, materials, and colors, so you can create the most exquisite, practical, and unique eat-in kitchen.
Worktop Peninsulas
Before we dive deep into the world of marvellous dining peninsulas, let’s take a look at their more practical versions. A peninsula can really just be an alternative to the kitchen island, where you would usually install a sink and a cook top. Some of these designs have additional features like drawers, built-in ovens, or shelves, if you will.
It’s more prudent to combine a peninsula with one or two practical features, if you don’t want to buy a separate dining table as well as waste surface space. Some kitchen peninsula designs are specifically made to accommodate both working surfaces and eating areas. The difference in height can be one of a few solutions to separate its monolithic counter.
Dining Peninsula Designs
Dining peninsulas can be cool and practical as well. With these you really don’t have to buy a dining table, although you might need to splurge on a ceiling pendant still. Dining areas like that look more casual, but it doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish and elegant.
Some kitchens comprise retractable peninsula tables, while others seem to be growing on the more utilitarian parts of the peninsula like mushrooms on trees. There are many creative solutions to go with for a kitchen table. It can come in aged metal or be attached to the peninsula at an odd angle. Possibilities are limitless.
Breakfast Bar Kitchen Peninsula Designs
If a dining area seems like an impossible mountain to climb, but you still want an eat-in kitchen, better go with a small breakfast bar. Even a couple dozen of inches will do. Just be sure to pay attention to chairs.
A breakfast bar not only allows you to grab a quick bite before heading out to work but it can also welcome guests with utmost hospitality.
If you’re planning to use it to receive friends and family perhaps a longer, more spacious peninsula is in order, otherwise it is a perfect spot to hang out with your kid or spouse.
Kitchen Peninsula Tables
A peninsula doesn’t have to be storage-friendly. The simplest table might do. It may serve as a breakfast bar or a dining table, depending on the size. And in a smaller kitchen, it will leave some air to the boxy room.
What’s really great about a peninsula table is that you can play with its base. Make it sculptural and futuristic or go for three legs instead of the familiar four. Since it’s not connected to the rest of the cabinetry, it is a great way to make it stand out.
Oddly-Shaped Kitchen Peninsula Designs
Oddly-shaped kitchen islands aren’t always feasible. Peninsulas, on the other hand, have a connection to the wall or cabinets. One may serve as an interesting ending to a kitchen counter as well as bring dynamic to a contemporary sleek kitchen.
Curvy peninsulas require plenty of space, but if you have enough of it to spare, they will definitely catch the eye. They are also more popular than other shapes, so it won’t be difficult to find a ready-made kitchen design with such a peninsula on the market.
Small Kitchen Peninsula Designs
Although small kitchens are better off without upper cabinets or other visual obstructions like a peninsula or an island, it’s possible to make one look quite nice. Even interior columns may not be a problem.
A tiny peninsula may seem useless, but in a small house it can make for a beautiful transitional space between the kitchen and dining room. It might make serving table much easier.
You can also benefit from it as a working area, if you commit to finding a chair that won’t ruin your back. Very useful for small apartments.
Letter-Shaped Peninsulas
Letter-shaped peninsulas are most popular, as they simply are a continuation of cabinetry. L, C, and G-shaped peninsulas work wonders in studios and houses with open layouts. They keep the kitchen divided from the rest of the space.
Regardless of shape, peninsula can becomes a perfect temporary home bar. As long as the drinks flow and the guests laugh, it can be that necessary buffer territory between snacks and dinner.
Spacious Peninsula Table Designs
Speaking of guests, you’ll need to plan a bigger peninsula, if you want to serve them your homemade cocktails and favorite hors d’oeuvre. It pretty much depends on your available space and planning.
Have a tiny kitchen? You gonna have to be creative. It’s easier to solve in an open layout, where you can place a peninsula somewhere nearer to the living room.
Storage-Friendly Peninsulas
Some kitchen peninsula designs are more storage-friendly than others. Most of them come with cabinets, but you can choose drawers, cubbies, or shelves instead. It is especially useful in open layouts, where it would benefit from display storage. For instance, a dining peninsula can look all the more impressive with glass tableware cabinets.
Open shelving is another great way to show off your best accessories or keep books and morning reading materials closeby.
Drawers make for more organized storage, so if you’re planning to keep cutlery in your peninsula, then those would be the best choice.
Peninsula Designs With Decorative Countertops
Live edge trend doesn’t stop at dining tables. Even kitchen countertops get the natural treatment. Besides the live trees, you’ll find that marble and materials with marble effect are in high demand right now. But, of course, you can go the opposite route with a reflective surface.
Corian, melamine, and other more affordable materials can, too, look quite designing. It’s all a matter of what manufacturer can do with either of them but also what kind of design you’re going after.
Peninsula Designs With Sectional Countertops
Just like an island a peninsula can also have a cantilevering, layered, or sectioned countertop. This can be done to combine a kitchen and a bar counter, add some length to the dining peninsula, or divide space between working and eating surfaces.
Modern kitchen peninsula designs are as functional as any island, and can be a stylish addition to any kitchen. When planning your layout, take it into consideration, because a peninsula may just help save you some precious square feet.
