Irina

How to style your kitchen island for Christmas

Posted on 12th November 2025

As the heart of the home, the kitchen is where all the core memories are made – baking festive treats, decorating gingerbread houses with little ones, guests gathering around the island for a tipple on Christmas Eve… it truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

If you are looking to make your kitchen look just as whimsical as this festive time feels, why not start with sprucing up your island? “Islands really come into their own during the festive period – as well as being the perfect place to prepare and store all that delicious food, they’re also a natural hub in the kitchen for guests to gather around. Adding some Christmas decorations can make them feel extra special during this time,” says Rebecca Nokes, design director at John Lewis of Hungerford.

However, a lot more goes into creating a chic centrepiece for your island that adds to the festive feeling but doesn’t overcrowd your space. So, to give you a boost of inspiration, I’ve asked the experts for their top tips on styling this practical, sociable hub…

Country chic kitchen with wall panelling, a wood freestanding dresser, a freestanding island, festive decor, and stone flooring. — If you’ve got the space, a little potted Christmas tree will add plenty of charm to your island. Chester Dove Grey butchers block, £799, Antique wash tray, £25 for a large, Forest Green Spindleback chair, £125, and Rustic tree in pot, £29. All from The Cotswold Company.

Safe and stylish

With lots of candles and decorative elements out on display in such a busy, high-traffic room, it’s important to prioritise safety alongside style, so keep your decorations away from where you’ll be working. However, easily movable trays, boards, and tins are ideal if you need to use your island for food preparation.

Christmas kitchen island with a red stand mixer, festive decorations, with a run of cabinetry behind it. — If you are using your island for the bulk of Christmas prepping, make sure you opt for easily movable decorations like cookie tins, LED candles, and trays. Christmas Red stand mixer, £249, ProCook.

A chic, neutral scheme with zellige tiles, Shaker cabinetry, open shelving, a window with a cafe curtain, and festive decor. — A tray placed on your island can serve multiple purposes, from laying out mouth-watering mince pies for guests to styling decorations on top of it. Cosy Christmas collection by Sophie Allport. Oven mitt, £19.

A closeup at a festive cake tin with striped linen fabrics. — Sweet treat tins are perfect for adding a festive touch to your island, which can also be quickly put away when cooking. Xmas Trees cake tin, £12.99, Gisela Graham London.

Christmas centrepieces

When looking to create your Christmas centrepiece, if you’ve got a large island or peninsula, Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr, recommends using candles, berries, and other seasonal foliage. “By positioning this in the middle of your island, you can create a decorative focal point without taking up too much prep space,” he says.

Rebecca agrees and adds, “I like filling decorative bowls with seasonal foliage such as pine cones and clove-stuffed oranges along with a candle-filled wreath as a striking centrepiece. If space allows, you could also add a small Christmas tree or alternatively create a simple yet effective focal point by filling a large glass vase with baubles in varying textures in the colour of your choice.”

Wreaths, complete with holly berry branches, a couple of LED candles or burgundy velvet ribbons, are also ideal for adding a festive touch to your island.

A classic kitchen design with a purple island, Christmas decorations and stone flooring. — Ensure you can use your island for cooking and baking with no compromises on style with a pretty and practical centrepiece. The Butler collection in Tansy and Stormy Sky, from £25,000, Tom Howley.

A charming green kitchen design with white zellige tiles, green base units, and a freestanding island with Christmas decorations. — Decorate your kitchen island with bowls of seasonal fruit and vases filled with baubles and sparkling tinsel. Handmade Shaker kitchen, from £10,000, Olive & Barr.

Refined luxury

Daniel Smith, founder of Danetti, says that this year, they’re seeing a shift towards a curated, design-led approach to home entertaining. “The focus is on refined luxury, a balance between warmth and elegance, with thoughtful additions so spaces don’t feel overly dressed. Over Christmas, the kitchen becomes the heart of the home and a well-planned kitchen island can be the perfect hub for festive hosting.

“Lay out food, drinks, and small bites to encourage guests to gather without a formal table. Add soft cocooning bar stools, statement lighting and simple touches like candles or foliage to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. With this setup, the host can cook, serve and socialise effortlessly, making the kitchen the festive focal point,” he adds.

A luxury kitchen design with an island decked out in marble-effect surfaces, a matching splashback with open shelf, white cabinetry, and red velvet bar stools. — Lay out charcuterie boards, colourful ramekins for nibbles, and decanted wine to lure guests over to the island zone. Felix bar stool in Toffee Red Velvet, £249, and Malin dining table, £699, Danetti.

A Christmas tablescape with a heart shaped cocotte, glassware, round burgundy plates, and a wood serving tray. — “Rather than more rigid arrangements, casual sprigs of eucalyptus or pine laid along the centre of the kitchen island will be a popular choice this year, with linens, wooden trivets and polished cutlery helping to complete the look,” says Paul Bough, resident chef at Staub UK. Staub 20cm Heart cast iron cocotte in Sorbet Rose, £219.

Closeup at a chair with festive decorations hanging from the backrest. — Do your bar stools have backrests? Show them some love by adding festive decorations such as velvet or linen ribbons in wintery colourways, foliage, and baubles. Decorations from Nkuku.

Finishing touches

Layering, from materials, textures, to finishes, is key in achieving a warm, festive kitchen island setup this Christmas. “Think a linen runner, bowls of seasonal fruit, and a few sprigs of evergreen or eucalyptus for a natural touch. Add candlelight for glow, and don’t be afraid to mix metallics or vintage glassware for sparkle,” advises Tom Howley, creative design director at the eponymous kitchen brand. “It’s all about creating a space that feels inviting and effortlessly festive, where people naturally gather and linger.”

Happy decorating!