Blend Function and Design in Your Kitchen Island

Install a sink in your island to make food prep and cleanup more efficient. Wash and chop your produce in one handy location and make it easier to stay on top of dishwashing while you're preparing meals. Put in a cooktop to further extend the usefulness of this station. Family and friends can pull up a chair while you're whipping up delicious entrees. So, you can keep the conversation flowing, even while you're cooking.

Add some bar stools or a bench to create additional kitchen seating. Large units can serve as a prep station and a table at the same time. Shop for unique chairs and stools to add flair to your decor. Or paint them yourself for a more personalized look. Extra storage is another advantage. Design your island with drawers, cabinets, or shelves to extend storage space for kitchen essentials. Add a towel bar and a spice rack to each end for more usefulness.

There's no need to limit yourself to a rectangular or square shape. Be creative. Make subtle design decisions like rounding the edges of the countertop. Or be bold and change the shape of the whole island. These options may be purely decorative or designed to fit your kitchen space better. A waterfall countertop is also a popular decor choice to consider. This sleek, contemporary design creates a dramatic, upscale look.

Two tiers elevates your island design. It clearly defines the seating and working areas and gives you lots of design options with more visual interest. This style is better for larger kitchens that allow a huge island build. Otherwise, you vastly limit both your prep and dining space. Consider dimensions and height for optimal functionality. Bars are 42 inches high. Tables are usually 30 inches, and the standard countertop height is 36 inches.

Make your island an extension of your kitchen cabinets and counters. This design works with the aesthetic appeal of symmetry. It's a smart choice for smaller kitchens since contrasting colors and styles would draw attention to limited space. A themed kitchen — like farmhouse, diner, café-style — would also benefit from matching island decor.

Brighten up a neutral color scheme with a colorful kitchen island. Choose a single bold tone, like electric red or bright yellow. Or use a contrasting color for the countertop and the island frame. Unless you have a tiny kitchen, there's no need to match the existing cabinetry. Another clever idea is to turn one side of your island into a blackboard with chalkboard paint. Let your kids decorate with chalk, note items you need to add to your grocery list or post each day's dining menu.

Sustainability is important to the future of the planet. More people are turning to eco-friendly options in every facet of their lives. Some suitable materials are reclaimed wood, salvaged materials, and metals. Here are a few novel, eco-friendly kitchen island ideas:

1. Galvanized sheet metal sides with a distressed wood frame and top
2. Metal pipe frame with a countertop of reclaimed flooring
3. Chicken wire doors and barn wood cabinetry
4. Tin ceiling tile frame with reclaimed kitchen door countertop
5. Salvaged wood shutters and pine frame

Using materials with low environmental impact for home renovation projects is a responsible choice.

Transform an old, vintage item and give it a new purpose as a kitchen island. This is another way to support sustainable, ethical home design. Choose from these popular pieces:

• Bookshelf
• Dresser
• Card catalog
• Desk
• Filing cabinet
• Drafting table
• Wood pallet
• Sideboard
• Woodshop bench

Visit auctions, estate sales, thrift stores, flea markets, or your grandparents' attic to find hidden treasures to transform.

Your island doesn't have to be anything more than food prep and extra counter space. Turn a table or cart into a kitchen island. Just set it up in the middle of your kitchen and use it. If you don't have a lot of space, minimalist design is probably best. Use paint or vinyl tiles to give it some decorative flair.

Kitchen size, budget, and necessity are important factors for choosing the right island. Happily, there's a solution for nearly every situation. Small, portable kitchen island carts are helpful options for small spaces, limited budgets, and renters. You can even move them out of the way when not in use. Some homeowners also place them next to large stationary workstations for increased efficiency. Larger portable islands with shelves and cabinets are also available from retailers.