13+ Extraordinary Two Level Kitchen Island to Add Extra Dimensions

We all know that kitchen islands are an excellent addition to any kitchen space, be it indoor or outdoor.

By adding islands to your kitchen design, you have a great potential for display, storage, and even functionality with the extra amenities, like stools, stove top, shelving, sink, wine cooler, and such.

Now, imagine that you have a double instead of a single kitchen island. Basically, the main appeal of having two kitchen islands is that you have not only one but two counter spaces in your kitchen.

Generally, one island is used as a functional role, which is a space for food prep with a sink or dishwasher. The second island is meant for eating or entertaining. This area is often completed with bar stools.

However, we can’t deny that double islands are clearly not for anyone. It takes much space in the kitchen, not suitable for you who have a smaller kitchen. Plus, it also limits the foot traffic in your kitchen. The solution? Two-level kitchen island.

With a two-level kitchen island, you can have double islands, but they are united together instead of separated. This way, you can save more space but at the same time can get the benefits of double islands.

There are several types of the two-level island:

1. Two-level kitchen island with seating. Most two-level islands feature seating in their designs. The second level is used as an additional dining space.
2. Modern two-level island. Commonly, two-level islands are found in a traditional kitchen. The classic design of the island is usually curvy. However, on a modern island, the design has fewer curves. It uses a solid wood waterfall countertop too.
3. Raised two-level kitchen island with built-in table. Unlike the two-level islands, which second levels have similar dimensions with the first, this one has a built-in table instead. Both are meant to be dining spaces. However, the raised island with a built-in table has an attached dining table to the island counter.
4. Two-level island with raised bar. This one is slightly different from the other two level kitchen islands with dining space. Both are completed with bar stools. However, the second level of this island is used as a bar instead of an eat-in space. Usually, the second level is way smaller than the first level.

If you want to purchase or custom-made a two-level kitchen island right now, take a look at these extraordinary islands first to inspire you:

1. Rectangular Shaped Two-Level Black and White Island

This can be considered a modern two-level kitchen island. It is because there is no curve at all in its design. Instead, its rectangular shape creates a more sturdy look.

We can see here that the first and second level has quite the same dimension. It means that it takes a large kitchen to accommodate this kind of island.

Actually, the second level of this island is just a dining table attached to the counter of the island. Both have a similar white countertop. It is meant to create an illusion that the kitchen island is really a two-level one. While in fact, the dining table could be just added to the existing island.

There are five bar stools in the dining area because the dining table is quite long, similar to the island. It seems that there is not much space left after the five stools are set in line together. For some, it might look a bit cramped.

2. Upper L-Shaped Two-Level Kitchen Island with Pental Chroma Countertops

This L-shaped two-level kitchen island also delivers a contemporary style to this trendy kitchen.

Basically, the L-shaped design is only on the second level, while the first level is just a usual rectangular-shaped one. Both levels are completed with Pental Chroma countertops in gray color, enhancing its modern look. The overall dimensions of this kitchen island area are 7’-4” x 5’-0”.

The first level of the island is used as a meal prep space. We can see the burner dominating the space. The stainless steel burner, along with the hood over, looks nice, surrounded by the white color of the island.

The second level is meant to be an additional dining space. There are only two bar stools in it, which clearly indicates that they only provide extra seating for the guests. There is a small bookcase on the second level too, that can be used to store some cooking books.

3. Two-Level Kitchen Island Complementary with Brown Countertops

This Mediterranean kitchen is enormous. It is why the homeowners managed to include two kitchen islands placed side by side in this area. The first island is basically a usual kitchen island, with a double bowl sink completed with a dishwasher, meant to be a primary sink.

The second island is the elegant two-level kitchen island. This island is meant to be an extra meal prep space, a complementary island, even though there is no burner or oven on this island, neither in the first island. The first level of this island is only completed with a single bowl sink, which is meant to be an additional sink.

The second level of the island is meant to be a bar. This raised bar is a bit narrower than the first level of the island. There are three bar stools over it. Both islands are completed with brown countertops to create perfect harmony in this Tuscan kitchen.

4. L-Shaped Two-Level Kitchen Island with Granite Countertops

This L-shaped two-level kitchen island looks elegant as the central point of this traditional kitchen. Since this is a traditional kitchen, the island is also meant to be classic. It doesn’t feature a regular L-shape. Instead, there is a slight curve at its corner, which gives more room for the stools.

The first level is completed with a double bowl sink and a stainless steel oven. The second level is used as a dining space. There are five tall back chairs in it. Both levels of this island are completed with granite countertops. Combined with the off-white cabinets, the countertops deliver a warm and elegant look.

5. U-Shaped Upper Two-Level Kitchen Island Painted in Black Color

This elegant U-shaped two-level kitchen island looks grande with its dark wood cabinets, which are combined with granite countertops. The island is clearly made of wood, and it is painted in solid black color.

Basically, the U-shaped design is only on the upper level of this island, while the lower level is only in the usual rectangular shape, surrounded by the raised tops on both sides. The first level is only for an undermount sink.

The much larger second level is for dining space. As there already is a dining table at this table, we can conclude that the dining space on this island is only the additional one, an extra space.

The second level is completed with four tall back chairs, which are the same as the chairs in the main dining table. There are three hanging lamps above the island to illuminate the central area of the kitchen.

6. Mirror-Imaged Dual Two-Level Kitchen Island with Zebrawood Bar Tops

This modern kitchen features a perfect I-shaped, which is the suitable space to put two identical kitchen islands to create a mirror image. These two kitchen islands have only separated space for foot traffic.

What makes these islands unique is the fact that they have two different tops for each level. Both islands are completed with stainless steel countertops for the first level and zebrawood bar tops for the second level.

The second level overhangs from the first one. It is meant to be a dining space because it is completed with three bar stools for each of the islands.

Each island also features its own sink as well as a Miele dishwasher. In the backs of these islands, there are shelves for cookbooks. The white color completes the stainless steel and wood tops perfectly.

7. Curvy Two-Level Kitchen Island Made of Dark-toned Wood

This mountain-style kitchen features a lovely classic and traditional two-level kitchen island as its focal point. The traditional element of the island can be seen from its curvy design.

The cabinets on the island are made of dark wood, which creates a contrast with the medium-tone hardwood floor.

The countertops are granite, which is also perfectly combined with the wood cabinets.

The first level is only meant to be meal prep space. There is a round-shaped single bowl undermount sink in it. Basically, this island is long enough to accommodate a burner, an oven, and even a dishwasher. However, the homeowners decided to create a clean space for this island.

The second level can be used as a bar or a dining space. It is more suitable for a dining space, though, because there are tall back chairs that are comfortable enough to be used for a long time. The second level is way narrower than the first one. When it comes to height, the first level is about 36” while the second one is 42”.

8. Two-Level Kitchen Island with Only a Small Raise to Accommodate a Pair of Stools

This contemporary kitchen island is the most unique compared to the other islands here. It is because the second level is only a small raise area in a square shape, while the first level is in a rectangular shape. The corner area of the first level is raised for the second level.

The second level is meant to be a dining space because it is completed with two low-back chairs. The first level itself is used for a meal prep area. It is constructed with an undermount sink. There is a bookcase for cookbooks on the side of this island too.

If you are wondering, the island, along with the cabinets, are made of quarter-sawn white oak wood and finished in Espresso. It seems that the countertops are made of granite. The combination of wood and granite is indeed classic; however, the pink chairs give a pop of color as a modern element to this island.

9. Solid Black Two-Level Kitchen Island as Meal Prep and Eating Space

This sturdy modern kitchen island looks elegant because it is painted in solid black, which creates a lovely contrast to the white painted cabinets of the perimeter.

The countertops of this island are also black, which are granite named Jet Mist. It features white and silver veins running through it to lighten it up a bit. The honed Jet Mist granite completes the all-black design of this island.

This island is 8’ long. According to the designers, the homeowners wanted to seat three people on this island, with around 24” per person, so it is not too cramped.

The first level of this island is in a perfect rectangular shape. It is meant to be a “clean” meal prep area because there is not even a sink in it.

The raised level is meant to be a bar because there is already a dining table in this kitchen. The second level is not as wide as the first level, even though they both have similar lengths.

10. Combination of Granite and Wood Countertops in a Two-Level Kitchen Island

This is another two-level kitchen island that has different countertops for each level. The first level is completed with a granite countertop, similar to the tops of the cabinets around. The second level has medium-tone wood countertops.

The combination of granite and wood countertops in this island makes it looks like the island and the dining table was separated and later attached together to create a two-level kitchen island.

The first level of this island is used as a meal prep space, just like the other islands. The second level is meant to be a dining table. It is completed with modern-style low-back chairs.

The white island blends seamlessly with the cabinets and the white countertops. The designer managed to add a wood countertop as a pop of color in this neutral-colored kitchen.

11. Two-Level Wooden Kitchen Island Painted in Green Color

This modern island has a combination of curve and straight lines, making it a perfect choice of a contemporary element in your modern kitchen. We can see that this island also has two different tops for each level.

The first level seems to have a granite countertop in black color. This area is also completed with a burner, indicating that this is meant to be a meal prep space. The second level, however, has a wood countertop. Basically, there is also an overhang wood top in the first level. The raised area of this island has a similar wood top.

It seems that the second level of this island is also used as additional meal prep space because it is smaller than the first level, and it is not completed with bar stools. Instead, the bar stools are added to the overhang wood top in the first level.

The green cabinet and island here are painted in Benjamin Moore – “Winding Vines” 532, while the cream color is Benjamin Moore – “Halifax Cream” 344. The combination of both colors looks lovely in this sleek and modern kitchen.

12. Two-Level Kitchen Island Combined with Caesar Stone and Light Tone Wood Countertops

This two-level kitchen island is another example of a lovely combination of an island and a dining table. Even though both are attached, it seems that they used to be separated before being attached to one another. However, this custom-designed island was basically built like that. What makes it as though they used to be separated is the fact that each level has different tops.

The first level of this island is completed with caesar stone tops, similar to the cabinet countertops. The second level features a light tone wood countertop.

While the first level is used for a meal prep space, the second level is meant to be a dining space. There are three tall bright orange back chairs over the island, which give a pop of color to this kitchen.

The island and the cabinets here are made of oak from Henrybuilt. The gray-colored countertops create a nice contrast with this light tonewood.

13. Small Two-Level Kitchen Island with Marble Countertops

This kitchen island is different from the other islands you’ve seen above. The other two-level islands usually have a lower first level for meal prep, while the second level is raised, meant for a dining space. This island, on the contrary, is quite the opposite.

The first level of this island is meant for the dining space. This level is also narrower than the second level. Completed with a tablecloth, this first level can accommodate two people at the same time to eat in. You can see that there is a small bookcase on the side of this level too.

The upper level is wider and meant to be a meal prep space. Compared with the other islands, this one is a bit too cramped because this is basically a small kitchen island.

Both levels are seemingly completed with marble countertops. They can be either Carrara Bianca or Calacatta. These countertops mix well with the light gray cabinets and island.

14. Square-Shaped Two-Level Kitchen Island with a Half-sized Upper Section

This granite-topped island is smaller than the other islands you’ve seen before. Instead of a perfect rectangle shape, this island is in a square shape. Since this island is small, there is no sink, burner, or any appliance in it. There is only a bookcase for cookbooks in the first level.

The second level has a round edge which creates a classic look and softens the whole design of this island. It is smaller than the first level. There are two backless chairs in this area, which can be used as an extra dining space. The half-sized upper section is not meant to be a place for a long sitting, though.

Closing

What is your opinion about the two-level kitchen islands shown above? Do you think it is worth it? Now, whether you want to replace your entire island, choose a new kitchen design, or alter your countertop design to create a two-level island, it is always recommended to work with a kitchen design professional.

A professional will help you explain your options, discuss the cost, and present the types of materials for your island. Plus, a good designer can also create a custom-designed island. They will make sure that anything is conducted perfectly and any work performed is of high quality.

If you are intending to cut down your existing island to create a two-level one, always ensure the contractor can handle the required finish work.

Remember, your kitchen island is a major element, a focal point in your kitchen. It can help define your kitchen space as well as give you plenty of meal prep space. Replacing, refinishing, or reinstalling your existing kitchen island to create a more functional and aesthetic kitchen is always a wise investment.