We don’t build furniture just to look pretty in pictures. At TN Farmhouse Furniture, if it doesn’t work hard, we don’t put our name on it. That goes double for kitchen islands. They’re the centerpiece of most kitchens—the place where bills get paid, cookies get iced, and kids perch on stools to tell you about their day. Below are some island ideas we’ve built that don’t just look good—they earn their keep.
1. Hidden Drawers, Full Extension
Looks like a panel, pulls out like a dream. We tuck full-extension drawers into the apron of the island, perfect for flatware, placemats, or the odd battery charger. You get storage without cluttering up the look—and the soft-close glide keeps the peace when everyone’s in a rush.
2. Microwave Cubbies That Disappear
Let’s be honest: no one loves the look of a microwave. We’ve built plenty of islands with custom microwave cubbies that tuck the appliance out of sight while keeping it handy. Bonus: it frees up your counters and keeps little hands from messing with buttons they shouldn’t be pushing.
3. Integrated Trash and Recycling
This one’s a game-changer. Dual tilt-out bins built right into the island—trash on one side, recycling on the other. No more cans in the corner. The hardware is sturdy enough to handle daily abuse, and we’ve even built versions with foot pedals if your hands are full.
4. Overhangs for Real Seating
We cut our islands with honest-to-goodness legroom. No shin-bashing, no hunching. Add one of our saddle stools or ladder-backs and you’ve got a breakfast counter, a homework station, and the perfect spot for a neighbor to sip coffee while you finish dinner.
5. Built-In Bookcases
Every good cook has a few go-to books. We’ve built islands with endcap shelving for cookbooks, tablet docks, and even a little spice rack. If you’ve got a collection of handwritten recipes from your grandmother, we’ll even build a slide-out tray with a glass top to keep them safe and visible.
6. Power Where You Need It
There’s nothing more frustrating than searching for an outlet in the middle of meal prep. We’ll wire your island with discreet GFCI outlets—tucked under the lip or hidden behind sliding panels—so your mixer, laptop, or coffee grinder is always within reach.
7. Tops That Work as Hard as You Do
Butcher block, sealed oak, or even reclaimed barnwood—we finish every surface with food-safe oils that can take a beating. One family told us they roll out biscuit dough right on the wood, wipe it clean, and call it a day. That’s exactly what we’re aiming for.
8. Style with Substance
A farmhouse island doesn’t need fake distressing or plastic corbels to feel warm. It needs honest joinery, soft-worn edges, and wood that tells a story. We’ve built two-tone islands with navy bases and maple tops, rustic black ones with walnut breadboard ends, and even painted pieces color-matched to a customer’s favorite enamel coffee pot. If it matters to you, it matters to us.
Custom, Always
Every island we build starts with a sketch on a scrap of paper and a conversation—never a catalog number. Need it longer? Want it mobile? Have a weird corner to work around? We’ll figure it out together.
Ready to Build One?
Come visit us at 732 S Charles G Seivers Blvd in Clinton, TN, browse our current collection online, or give us a ring at (800) 677-1058. You’ll talk to someone who knows the grain and weight of the wood—not just the part number. Whether your kitchen’s the size of a postage stamp or a football field, we’ll help you build an island that fits the way you live.
Because a good kitchen island isn’t just a showpiece. It’s a workbench for life.