In this modern black and white themed kitchen, the island features a built-in sink with a glossy black countertop that overhangs a dining area. Three brown leather chairs with black metal legs are placed along the island counter. The white back panel is simply divided into alternating high and low sections.
34 Kitchen Island Back Panel Ideas That Show Your Good Side
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Published: January 1, 2023
Updated: November 30, 2023
Kitchen islands work in three dimensions and that means that you’ve got to give some thought to what the back panel looks like. What to do? Don’t worry–you have plenty of options! There are lots of great kitchen island back panel ideas that can work with any style. The simplest option is to add a coat of paint, which gives you the option to coordinate, or contrast, with your kitchen’s palette. You can also finish your island with panels.
Perhaps the most popular option for kitchen islands is that farmhouse standby, shiplap. You can also try reclaimed wood for a funky, eclectic look. But if you’re looking for something more textured, consider brick or faux brick. Another interesting option is corrugated metal, for a more industrial style. For a practical choice, consider cabinets, drawers, and shelving to make your island do double duty as a storage area. If you want the look, you can install faux cabinet doors instead!
Let’s check out all these great kitchen island back panel ideas in action to see what they can add to your space!
02 of Faux Brick Kitchen Island Back Panel Ideas
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A wraparound kitchen counter with a brown solid surface countertop has been converted to a stylish dining area with a whitewashed faux brick back panel and a wooden corbel accent. A side-mounted towel rack provides handy storage, while two wooden stools create a convenient place to sit.
03 of Small Space White Kitchen Island
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This tiny kitchen island makes the most of a small space with seating for two and a white shiplap back panel under a white marble countertop. Its surface is decorated with a tray of potpourri and mason jar candles.
04 of Gray Kitchen with Floral Arrangement
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This kitchen island back panel is finished simply with gray paint to match the kitchen cabinets. The island includes a built-in sink with black hardware and a floral arrangement in a round white ceramic vase resting on the granite countertops. Woven wood chairs give an organic feel to the room.
05 of Blue and White Kitchen Island
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In a white kitchen with natural hardwood floors and a gray tile backsplash, this dusty blue kitchen island back panel features three sets of cabinet doors with round black door pulls and decorative columns to either side. Large glass pendant lights hang over the kitchen island to illuminate the space.
06 of Blue-Green Kitchen Island
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In this modern kitchen, a compact island with a white counter and a built-in sink features blue-green paneling around the base to add color to the room. Three natural wicker bar stools provide seating to one side.
07 of Kitchen Island Back Panel Ideas with Cabinets
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This naturally colored wood kitchen island back panel includes three sets of cabinet doors inset in the center and horizontal paneling to either side. Three chairs with roughly woven linen seats and unfinished wooden legs stand in the center.
08 of Natural White Kitchen with Dining Area
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This extra large white kitchen island has an inset back panel area that provides space for four tuck-away bronze square metal bar stools. An earthenware pot of leafy branches on the counter is a natural and fetching centerpiece.
09 of Neutral Kitchen with Golden Chandeliers
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Three striking golden glass lanterns hang from the ceiling above this white kitchen island countertop, featuring a built-in sink and natural wood-colored back panels. Tall brown canvas-backed chairs with metal frames are tucked under the counter.
10 of Gray Cabinets and White Shiplap Kitchen Island
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- chalovescafe
This white kitchen island is built with convenient access to a sink and is finished with a shiplap back panel. It’s decorated with a ceramic tray of soaps, a vase of white hydrangeas, a jar candle, and a basket. Two large glass lights hang down from the ceiling above to illuminate the room.
11 of White Shiplap Kitchen Island Back Panel Ideas
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A show-stopping kitchen island with a built-in sink has a white shiplap back panel that’s extended on both sides to create a seating area. It’s accompanied by round natural wood barstools. A large white vase filled with budding branches is placed on a wooden cutting board on the white kitchen counter.
12 of Modern Neutral Kitchen Island Ideas
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This modern neutral kitchen features shaker cabinets, white vertical shiplap walls, a silver French hood, and a black and white kitchen island with an inset back panel area to allow room for barstool seating.
13 of Industrial Farmhouse Kitchen Island
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This extra-large kitchen island rests under a tall vaulted ceiling and is decorated with two white pitchers of flowers. Its back panel features four pairs of white cabinet doors and is accompanied by four industrial chic black metal chairs. A wooden hood vent contrasts with the white cabinets and subway tile backsplash.
14 of Square Kitchen Island with Shiplap
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In this white kitchen with gray backsplash tile, a miniature square kitchen island with a gray granite counter features scrolled counter supports and white shiplap back panels. A black lantern-style light fixture hangs from the ceiling above.
15 of Warm-Toned Open Concept Kitchen
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This open-concept kitchen uses its island to divide the cooking space from the dining space. It features a built-in sink, white countertops, and a simple brown base in three panels.
16 of Antique Kitchen Island Back Panel
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This eclectic farmhouse kitchen features a mix of vintage finds, including an island from weathered, repurposed woods with a shiplap-style back panel and two white round stools. A white tongue-and-groove ceiling matches the white cabinetry in the rest of the kitchen.
17 of Open-Concept Kitchen Dining Island
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A wide white island with a built-in sink is accented by gold hardware in this open-concept kitchen. The back is finished in natural wood-colored paneling and includes tuck-away ergonomic bar stool seating. A dramatic black dining room with large windows matches the black pendant lights hanging over the island.
18 of Dining Table-Style Kitchen Island with Stools
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This low, oversized kitchen island features a built-in sink and a light gray countertop that overhangs the base on all sides. Elegant white panels create a classic look, which is echoed by the upholstered wooden stools set around two sides of the island.
19 of Kitchen with Natural Hardwood Floors
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This kitchen island back panel is finished in natural wood, which coordinates with the natural hardwood floors and a beam on the ceiling above. The island features a white countertop and a built-in sink and is accompanied by green wooden chairs.
20 of Hunter Green and Natural Wood Kitchen
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Floor-to-ceiling hunter-green cabinets with glass doors and natural hardwood floors set the stage for this striking kitchen, which includes a practical kitchen island with built-in drawers and shelving, a white countertop, and a vertical slotted back panel. A large glass vase filled with greenery give the kitchen a natural vibe.
21 of Rustic Kitchen Island Back Panel Ideas
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This kitchen island saves space with a narrow profile, overhanging counter, and side hook for storage. It is covered with shiplap and displays two carved counter supports that have been distressed for a rustic look. A floating shelf hung from the ceiling with ropes features a picnic basket for extra storage.
22 of Vintage Farmhouse Small Space Kitchen
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This small kitchen island uses vintage finds to create a funky and eclectic look. The room is designed with a reclaimed wood back panel and vintage drugstore stools for seating, while lamps shaded by wire chicken egg baskets hang from the ceiling above.
23 of Reclaimed Wood Kitchen Island Back Panel
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The centerpiece of this white kitchen is a dramatic kitchen island with a built-in sink and a back panel featuring drawer storage and reclaimed wood. Four robin’s egg blue wooden chairs are tucked under the glossy white countertop. An eye-catching black and white patterned backsplash contrasts with the farmhouse look.
24 of Navy Blue and Gold Kitchen Island
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Dividing this kitchen into cooking and dining areas is a long, dramatic kitchen island with a white marble countertop and a navy blue back panel featuring navy blue cabinet doors with gold circle door knobs. Matching gold pendant lights hang over the island to give the room a modern touch.
25 of Brick Kitchen Island Back Panel Ideas
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This kitchen island back panel is finished in whitewashed brick and a painted white baseboard. The island features a built-in sink and is decorated with three potted succulents and a wire basket of glass bottles. Metal stools with wooden seats are placed along the island as extra seating.
26 of Gray Marble Kitchen Island with White Back Panel
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This kitchen island stands in a white kitchen with warm hardwood floors and is topped with a gray marble counter supported by warm wooden posts. It features a decoratively carved white back panel. A white vase of fresh flowers provides a touch of spring.
27 of Upscale Farmhouse Kitchen Style
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A kitchen island with a white marble countertop and barn door sides stands in a white shiplap kitchen with a French hood and warm hardwood floors. The island is finished with cabinet doors with black handles on its back panel.
28 of Modern White Kitchen with Chandeliers and Island
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Two black lantern chandeliers with black faux candles light up this white modern kitchen above a gray stone kitchen island. The island showcases a white shiplap back panel and barn door end caps. A row of modern brown chairs provides seating.
29 of White Kitchen Island with Black Seats
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This extra wide kitchen island features a white countertop that overhangs all sides to create seating space and white panels on the base. It’s surrounded by black ergonomic stools and decorated with a cutting board holding a vase of flowers.
30 of Kitchen Island with Shaker Paneling
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This bench-style kitchen island features white shaker panels with beading, a gray marble countertop, and a built-in sink with silver hardware. A white marble pedestal bowl of fresh fruit decorates the counter under two large, metal light fixtures.
31 of White Shiplap and Cabinet Door Kitchen Island
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Glass bell-shaded lamps hang above a butcher block kitchen island supported by four decoratively carved posts. The island is finished with reclaimed wood shiplap and cabinet door back panels.
32 of Cream and Sage Kitchen Dining Area
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This cream-colored kitchen adds extra dining space with a cream and sage green kitchen island. The island features a built-in sink with barn door-style paneling and two bedpost counter supports. Three warm wooden high-backed chairs complete the space.
33 of Industrial Kitchen Island Back Panel Ideas
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This industrial-style kitchen features an island with a built-in sink and a laminated wood counter finished with a corrugated reclaimed metal back panel. It is accompanied by metal chairs with an aged patina resting on rustic hardwood floors.
34 of Kitchen Island with Seats on Two Sides
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Making use of extra space, this kitchen island offers seating at two sides with warm wood-topped round stools with metal frames. The island’s back panel is a raw wood shiplap in varying shades framed by white supports.
