Considered rough and lacking style and aesthetics by many, concrete is a humble material which lately made its way up in the list of versatile and chic options for a lot of modern and contemporary projects. It’s actually because of the defining properties of this material that we can use it to make awesome things like custom kitchen islands which get to be extremely durable and more sleek and stylish than you think.

byNU Architectuuratelier

Looking more like a sculpture than a piece of furniture, this eye-catching concrete island is the perfect element to complement this industrial kitchen. With a simple, geometric shape, it seems to defy gravity and it serves as a focal point for the whole open floor plan.

by Casalolatrancoso

A lot of times concrete kitchen islands are chosen because they go well with concrete floors, a common feature in most modern homes. Add a few reclaimed wood accent pieces and you get the perfect shabby chic look. A perfect blend of looks and functionality.

by Crystal.

These days the rough and industrial look of concrete furniture can be toned down using color and all sorts of other tricks. Integrating a concrete kitchen island in a modern décor becomes very easy, almost natural. There are lots of ways in which you can personalize it.

Because concrete is such a versatile, flexible and easy to work with material, you can pretty much choose to make your kitchen island into any funky shape you want. Keep function in mind and come up with the best look for your home.

A concrete kitchen island would look awesome in a black and white setting like this one. We love the different shades of gray and all the different textures. It’s a harmonious amalgam of materials.

by CasaDoPego

Complement a concrete island with sleek industrial pendant lights. It’s a way of embracing the style but also of redirecting the attention towards the beautiful aesthetic that comes with it.

by David Dietrich.

A cast concrete kitchen island with a simple, asymmetrical shape designed to highlight its modern and minimalist charm. It can also serve as a bar or dining surface. A very smart look for the key piece of furniture in any kitchen.

byMartin Knowles

Given the simplicity of this particular island and the fact that concrete is such a user-friendly material, this piece is something you could put together yourself. It has an open design with two shelves perfect for storing pots, pans and dishes.

byMPR Design Group

Of all the designs presented so far, this would have to be my favorite. It’s so simple, straight-forward and robust and yet it looks sleek and elegant. These are basically the elements we all look for when designing a modern home.

To make a concrete island look like it belongs in the kitchen, a nice trick is to use colors close to the natural shade of the material. A black and white décor could work, although gray should also be a part of your palette. Of course, there’s also the option of allowing the island to stand out with its unique look.