There are lots of ways to transform your kitchen island: you can paint it a new color, you can switch out your countertops, or, you can upgrade your entire kitchen by outfitting your island with a sink. 

This last option doesn’t get much action, and we understand why. Building a sink into your island isn’t all that quick or easy—and it definitely isn’t cheap. But, it can change the way your kitchen looks and feels, making it a more functional place to cook, clean, and entertain.

The beautiful thing about this upgrade? It works in kitchens of all sizes, shapes, and styles. As long as there’s enough room in your kitchen for an island—and enough room on your island for a sink—you have everything you need to make the addition work. 

As you consider how to craft the perfect sink-adorned kitchen island, you’ll have plenty of kitchen island sink ideas to take cues from.

01 Divide Your Island Into Segments

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Not sure how to lay out your island? Think about the jobs you need to do in your kitchen and make space for each of them. By segmenting your island into different “activity zones,” you can ensure you have enough room to comfortably prep, cook, and clean.

02 Pick a Statement-Making Faucet

Your sink will probably sit inside your island, but your faucet will peek out over it—making it one of the most visible accents in your kitchen. Skip the classic statement sink, and snag a showstopping faucet, instead. Since faucets come in a range of styles, shapes, and finishes, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one worth springing for.

03 Treat Yourself to Two Different Sinks

Why limit yourself to just one sink? If your kitchen is packed with counter space, having two sinks can make cooking a whole lot easier. Stick one sink on your kitchen countertop and another on your kitchen island. You’ll thank yourself the next time you need a pot of water or you’re cooking with a friend.

04 Choose an Island With Lots of Storage Space

Under-sink storage space is key, so be sure to snag an island with plenty of drawers and cabinets. This is especially important if your island sink is the only sink in your kitchen. After all, you need a handy place to store cleaning supplies and dish detergent—and you don’t want to keep them next to your food.

05 Rethink Your Lighting Set-Up

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In most kitchens, pendant lights are the perfect addition above an island. You can always do something unusual, though, like forgo the segmented lighting and hang lights in the center of the room, instead.

06 Keep Your Sink Near Your Stove

When you have two different islands, it may be tough to figure out which one deserves the sink. One pro tip? Build the sink on the island closest to your stove. The proximity will make it easy to fill your pots with water any time you’re making pasta or hard-boiling eggs.

07 Have Fun With Your Countertops

Who said your island has to match the rest of your kitchen? Paint your island cabinets a decidedly fun color, or invest in a waterfall countertop made of a striking material.

08 Maximize Space With a Double Sink

If you have an unusually long island, pair it with an extra-large sink. The sink will give you plenty of room to rinse dishes and prep ingredients, and it will look more at home on your island than a smaller sink would.

09 Color-Coordinate Your Hardware

One surefire way to make your kitchen feel special? Streamline your hardware. Color-coordinate your door handles and your drawer pulls. Match them to your island faucet. And if your light fixtures are metal, let them in on the fun, too.

10 Splurge on a Commercial-Style Faucet

One great way to finish off your kitchen island sink? Snag a commercial-style faucet. Commercial-style faucets mimic the fancy features you’d find in restaurant kitchen sinks. (Think: best-in-class materials, massive faucet heads, and extra-long pull-down necks.) But since they’re designed for residential use, you won’t have to overhaul your entire plumbing  stack to install one.

11 Mix and Match Different Sinks

If you have two kitchen sinks, matching them is an obvious choice. But leaving them mismatched is often a more interesting one. Score a couple of matching faucets, and pair them with sinks made from different materials.

12 Keep Décor Out of the Way

It’s natural to want to decorate your kitchen island, but don’t sacrifice too much counter space to décor. Keep the space around your sink clean and easy to navigate, and slide your biggest décor pieces to one end of your island, where they won’t get in your way as you cook and clean.