The Simple Decor Hack That Helps Elevate Your Kitchen Island

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Kitchen islands are a popular addition to any cooking space, offering style that has stood the test of time, as well as practicality. A kitchen Island adds extra counter space for meal prep, additional storage, and often a spot for casual dining or gathering. Whether you are hosting guests or cooking with family, having an island in your kitchen can make everything a little more enjoyable and convenient. One issue with this kitchen feature, though, is that sometimes they can look bland and uninspired. This is often due to the lack of texture and unique design elements. Without thoughtful styling and the addition of features that add visual interest, your kitchen island can fade into the background and miss the opportunity to be the centerpiece of the kitchen. If you've styled your island to the nines and it's still somehow missing the mark, there is a simple decor hack that will instantly elevate its look — switching out your minimalist barstools for bigger ones.

This kitchen island styling hack is perfect for medium to large kitchens that have excess unused floor space around the island, which makes the space feel empty and cold. This can happen when an island that's too small for a kitchen is installed. Replacing the regular barstools with larger, chunkier ones helps fill some of the unused floor space to create a kitchen that looks cozy and inviting. A great thing about this kitchen island upgrade is that it's renter-friendly.

Before you run out to your favorite furniture store and pick up a set of the largest barstools available, it's important to take some measurements around your kitchen island to ensure you have enough space for them. Medium to large diameter barstools should have between six and 10 inches between them. If you want stools that swivel, eight to 10 inches is the general rule for spacing. For kitchen islands that are regularly used for meals or activities like homework, a spacing of 12 inches is optimal. If your island's seating is opposite a counter or wall, ensure the barstools you choose leave enough room for people to walk behind them while others are seated. When it comes to figuring out what height barstool your island can handle, the seat should be no closer than 10 inches from the counter. If you are considering barstools with arms, their height should be factored in, as well.

When you've determined how many large barstools you can have and recorded all necessary measurements, it's time to do some shopping. If your island can only accommodate slightly larger stools than the basic ones you currently have, this set of Raynesys Saddle Seat Barstools may be a good option. If you have a long island with an abundance of unused floor space, some ClinQ Upholstered Barstools will not only use up some of that space, but also add to your kitchen's comfort and charm.