10 Best Kitchen Islands – Reviews and Buying Guide
Table of Contents
How to Choose Kitchen Islands?
A kitchen island might be the most functional element of kitchen architecture. The kitchen island can take the role of an office, counter room, seating, or cabinetry. But it just doesn’t mean it should take these roles because it can serve various functions. Getting all the “extra features” may not be the best for you in designing your kitchen island.
In reality, choosing the wrong kitchen island is one of the most considerable risks you take when designing your kitchen. Unlike outdoor kitchen islands, a kitchen island is typically a kitchen’s central hub, the whole kitchen may have a poor outlook when not done correctly. It’s like injuring yourself on a real island with no fresh water or food when you choose the wrong island option.
It may appear like you just don’t have enough space for all your storage and cooking needs in your kitchen. If you had just an extra countertop for your bakeware or a room to cut vegetables, your kitchen would appear aesthetic. Thankfully, you can solve these kitchen problems.
Making the right choice of a kitchen island can go a long way in making the difference. It’s even better if you get cabinets on the kitchen island as they will provide you with a place where you can store your cookware to give you extra space. Avoid making room for “Kitchen Castaway Disaster” by reading these tips to get the best kitchen island as per your needs.
Quick Summary
1. Best Overall– Hodedah Kitchen Island
2. Best Mobile Island – Homestyles Kitchen Mobile Island
3. Best Island With Ample Spaces – Casual Home Kitchen Island
4. Best Island for Small Kitchens – Dorel Living Kitchen Island
5. Best Affordable – Clevr Bamboo Wood Kitchen Island
6. Best Functional Island – Hasuit Kitchen Island
7. Best Expandable Island – Giantex Kitchen Island
8. Best Island With Granite Top – Linon Kitchen Island
9. Best Versatile Island – PETSITE Kitchen Island
10. Best Pinewood Island – YAHEETECH Kitchen Island
Top Best Kitchen Islands Based on Reviews and Price
1. Best Overall – Hodedah Kitchen Island
If you are looking for a beautiful kitchen island to complement your kitchen, you should check out this Hodedah kitchen island. It provides enough ample space to store your small kitchen appliances as well as your pots and pans. Speaking of convenience, this island also has a separate drawer where you can keep your dinnerware and other utensils. Not to forget the accessible space provided for your microwave oven, toaster, and other small appliances you can display on the kitchen island. Another reason that makes this kitchen island top on our list is its mobility. It is a mobile kitchen island that comes with locking caster wheels so you can position it anywhere in your kitchen.
The Hodedah kitchen island also has a separate spice rack and a towel holder. Its construction is of great quality and is very sturdy. This kitchen island is made from compressed wood which is long-lasting and very stylish. It will complement your kitchen whether you intend to create a modern or traditional kitchen design. It also has metal drawer glides that protect the drawers from falling out completely. Setting up this kitchen island is easy and can be done quickly with the aid of the instruction manual it comes with.
2. Best Mobile Island – Homestyles Kitchen Mobile Island
Homestyles is a reputable brand especially when it comes to making functional and beautiful home furniture. This Homestyles kitchen island is made with a stainless steel surface and quality engineered wood with a sleek black finish. Its design includes two adjustable shelves in each cabinet door and three other separate storage drawers to keep your kitchenware. It also features a spice rack and a towel bar included for your convenience.
The Homestyles kitchen island is also a mobile island as it comes with 2 locking caster wheels for easy movement. You can place it in any part of your kitchen or move it when you need it close to you. You can use it to keep your pots, pans, and other small items in your kitchen. Its doors allow you to keep your kitchen items hidden so your kitchen looks more organized.
3. Best Island with Ample Spaces – Casual Home Kitchen Island
This casual homes kitchen island is a very durable model and you will certainly enjoy having the solid wood top in your kitchen. Its clean white color is very appealing and will complement your kitchen décor. This kitchen island has a drawer with stainless steel handle for easy access. You can use this drawer space to keep your kitchen essentials. There are also two lower shelves with ample spaces for your kitchenware. The Casual Home kitchen island also has a stainless steel towel rack to keep your kitchen napkins or towels.
This kitchen island comes in handy if you need additional storage space and a countertop to work in your kitchen. It will help keep your kitchen space organized and allow you easily reach all the items you need.
4. Best Island for Small Kitchens – Dorel Living Kitchen Island
If you are looking for a multifunctional kitchen island that will fit perfectly in your small kitchen space, then you should consider getting this Dorel Living Kitchen Island. It is constructed wit a solid wood top and has lots of storage spaces. You can also count on its mobility. The countertop kitchen island is designed with a drawer and cupboard space for your kitchen essentials. It also has a spice rack and towel bar included in its design.
You can fit this kitchen island anywhere in your kitchen and move it to any position with the help of its locking caster wheels. It is perfect for small living spaces, with its compact design. It is functional and will provide enough space for your kitchen essentials.
5. Best Affordable – Clevr Rolling Bamboo Wood Kitchen Island
This Clevr kitchen island is one of the most affordable kitchen Islands you can get at a superb quality. Who says you need the fortune to get the best? If you are on a budget, you will appreciate having this high-quality furniture in your kitchen. The Clevr Rolling Bamboo Kitchen Island is made from kiln-dried and varnished bamboo. It has easy to reach drawers which you can use to keep your utensils. The kitchen island also comes with extra storage space for your wine, spices, olive oil, and other kitchen items. You also get a separate rack where you can hang your kitchen towels and aprons.
You will appreciate having this kitchen island during meal preparation and when it also has four caster wheels while two of them come with locks for balance. The extra shelves come in handy for large items you need to store, and with this kitchen island, you can easily maximum space.
6. Best Functional Island – Hasuit Kitchen Island
If you prefer a classic kitchen island style, you should check out this Hasuit kitchen island. It comes in a smart and compact design for your home. If you have a functional living space, it is only necessary that you complement it with performance furniture. This kitchen island is designed with a large thickened board top to provide an additional working area in your kitchen. Its laminated wood panel matches the industrial-strength steel, which gives the kitchen island a glossy finish.
It features two drawers and adjustable shelves. You will also find the swing doors cabinet, spice rack, and hand towel rack for your convenience. The Hasuit kitchen island is durable with its strong steel and thickened laminated wood design. You can also position the island conveniently with its four rolling wheels, which rotate at 360 degrees. The kitchen island can hold weight up to 250 pounds.
7. Best Expandable Island – Giantex Kitchen Island
Giantex Kitchen Island is another quality design you can get today. It is made from a large rubberwood top and has plenty of storage spaces for all your kitchen essentials. It has three drawers which had enough space to organize your utensils and other kitchenware. Also included in this model is a removable towel rack, a small bottle rack by the side, and also space to keep your small cans. There are also additional drawers that come with a slide rail to protect the drawers from falling out.
The two shelves provided can be converted to 3 if you need to divide the space for other items. The best part about having this functional kitchen island is that you can expand it if you need more countertop space. It has a 13 inches depth drop leaf bar that is designed for this purpose. You will also appreciate its compact design as it helps you save space in your kitchen. The Giantex Kitchen Island is made from premium MDF material which is eco-friendly and long-lasting. It also features 4 universal wheels with two lockable wheels that allow you to move the kitchen island anywhere.
8. Best Island with Granite Top – Linon Kitchen Island
For people who love a simplistic design that is also very durable, we recommend this Linon Kitchen Island. You will love its wenge wood finish and chrome construction which is complemented with a granite countertop. The granite top is safe for your food and very easy to clean. The Linon Kitchen Island comes with enough storage so you can keep your kitchen items. It features a front drawer for your utensils, a four-bottle wine rack, and also has a wire produce basket. You will also find the bottom shelf spacious to keep other additional kitchen essentials. This kitchen island also comes with rolling and lockable caster wheels for balance. It can hold weight up to 300 pounds.
This kitchen island is microwave safe and is equipped with enough storage for your convenience. You can work over the surface conveniently when preparing your meals and even use the granite top as a cutting board.
9. Best Versatile Island – PETSITE Kitchen Island
This Petsite kitchen Island comes in a versatile design with its high-quality rubberwood countertop. It also features durable quality pine wood legs and its surface is suitable for people living in a humid environment. You will appreciate the smooth waterproof finish which is easy to clean and maintain. The Petsite kitchen island has one tray and two shelves for storage. It also features three additional drawers and the countertop is very spacious for your meal preparation.
You can use it to serve breakfast or dinner in the kitchen. It also features 4 universal wheels which include two lockable wheels for easy mobility. The wheels will easily move over your kitchen floors without scratching or making any noise. You can also use the spacious countertop to display your microwave oven or even your stand mixer.
10. Best Pinewood Island – YAHEETECH Kitchen Island
This kitchen island comes in a very flexible design which allows you to use it as both a kitchen island and cart. You can move it anywhere you want around the house with the aid of its caster wheels which have a 360 degrees rotation. The Yaheetech Kitchen Island has a multipurpose drawer that you can easily slide out and also features a storage cabinet with two swing doors at the bottom. You can easily adjust the bottom cabinet to fit your needs. This kitchen island can be used to store your kitchen utensils, cookware, and other small appliances. It also features a spice rack and towel holder for your convenience.
Looking at its durability, the Yaheetech Kitchen Island is made of high-quality pinewood, MDF, particleboard, and a waterproof coated surface. The countertop kitchen island is easy to install and cleaning is very easy.
10 Things to Consider When Buying a Kitchen Island
1. Size is Important
Indeed, a large kitchen island is convenient and gorgeous – if you’ve got the space to make room for one. Optimally, the gap between an island or opposing counter areas and some other counter in your kitchen should not be less than 36-48 inches. If you have ever engaged yourself in the “awkward kitchen dance” with a cook friend or colleague when both of you attempt to work simultaneously, you certainly understand the importance of space among counters.
And even though you may feel you want a very spacious kitchen island, that does not necessarily mean you have to. Choose your kitchen island to suit the space in your kitchen and leave plenty of room to help you work more efficiently.
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2. Open or Shut Down
The island’s base configuration includes everything from shelving, narrow pedestal to solid cabinetry as that serves as a counter space foundation. In that case, it gets tough to determine what’s best for you. Generally, lighter and bigger kitchens can accommodate the solid form of an island’s entire cabinetry. When you have lots of floor area around it, you may also have a cabinet-based kitchen island in a dim cabinet kitchen.
Tinier kitchens, with some free space underneath the counter, are preferably served by islands. Shelving on a kitchen island brightens the island’s visual weight so that it does not overshadow a tinier kitchen area. For contemporary spaces, more spacious islands are better to fit. The counter-only island or the extended pedestal base is another spare and modern island type.
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3. What’s Your Style?
A kitchen island should be something that suits the architectural style. It does this not only with the above-listed shape and size components, but it also with the materials utilized in the cabinetry and counters. The decoration of the island is also an essential part of this combination. For example, in an industrial-method loft space, a typical granite-topped island might appear completely awkward. But in a kitchen that blends modern and ancient elements, it may seem right at home.
You would need something more innovative for a loft space. It is also crucial that you keep in mind your preferred design style. For example, your island will suit when you have a minimalist style. You should make up your island like that of a grand old dame when you have a foot in the past.
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4. Speaking of Seating
Seating is another essential factor that is the sort of “perches” that your island can accommodate. Do you like your guests to communicate while you are cooking? There should be enough room for stools. When you like cooking alone, but still want to drag out a seat to rest, it’s excellent for you to have an island that enables you to tuck out stools. The longer you wish to sit in chairs, the more room you want for these sits to be comfortably cushioned. Occasional, casual butt-parking need not be considered soft.
Eventually, settling in for a dinner or an extended chat over long food preparation gives you the space advantage for upholstered seats that are as similar to comfortable chairs that can be fitted into your kitchen.
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5. Not All Islands are Equal
If you put your desires into consideration, your island will be most useful to you. Are you a fan of baking? Need additional storage? Separate countertop designs, features, and materials are suggested based on how you use the kitchen.
A multi-level island is a fantastic choice if the kids love doing their homework inside the kitchen. You can cook dinner and help them with assignments at the same time. You can also assist them with their tasks while preparing dinner simultaneously. If your kitchen is smaller, you’ll need some extra countertop space to cook meals. At that time, a neat work surface that is free of clutter should also be handy in your kitchen.
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6. Materials Used for Construction
The material used for the construction of your kitchen island is very important. One should choose the right material for your kitchen’s countertop so that it has a good appearance. While stainless steel is sturdy and conveniently tolerates hot pans, the butcher top is your best pick for chopping food.
7. Mobile Cart
When you go all out in choosing the kitchen island, you must consider if it has mobile carts. Carts are not very expensive, plus they are handy for your kitchen. Whether it is meant as a storage option for some small-sized items, additional prep space, or a baking station, moveable carts are always at your beck and call. It is also essential to consider a model that includes a blend of close and open storage choices for an outlook that is cooperative of supplies and complete.
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8. Is it a Built-in Island?
This is another option to consider when you want to choose a kitchen island. If your kitchen is the center of your home, then it makes sense to go for an island that can capture the attention of your guests. Often customized to enjoy the perfect amenities, design, and size, a built-in kitchen island is ideal furniture that you’ll like to install in your kitchen.
It also serves to complement the interior decoration of your room. It can also make your room appear like a bold centerpiece. They are recommended for crafting out-of-sight storage pan and pots, for items that are of smaller sizes, or for additional dinnerware.
9. Is the Kitchen Island Upgradable?
What is your best resort when the island in your home becomes outdated and falls short of character? This is the reason behind going for an island that is upgradable. You can remake old-looking islands with new custom panels, hardware, or countertop when you apply topical treatments to it. This way, it becomes transformed into the once-desired kitchen spot that it was initially. You can maintain surviving storage by configuring drawer fronts and new doors.
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10. Worktop Surface
The materials used to construct the surface also counts. This is dependent on several things. Whether you desire more room for your dining surface or your food preparation, you need to choose the right worktop surface. Aesthetic considerations as per the style of decoration of the surface and how it generally appears is also essential.
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Final Thoughts
Now that you know the best kitchen Islands sold today, it shouldn’t be difficult finding one that matches your needs. If you are looking for a high-quality and durable kitchen island, we recommend our best overall Hodedah Kitchen Island. It can be used as a stand for your microwave oven and other small kitchen appliances. If you need additional space, the Homestyles Kitchen Mobile Island, provides ample storage spaces to keep all your kitchen essentials. If you live in a small space and can’t fit in a large kitchen island, we recommend the Casual Home Kitchen Island which comes in a compact design.
A kitchen island is indeed a marvelous addition, and one of the best things that can ever happen to your kitchen. Including an island in your kitchen will usher in extra space, storage, seating, and style to your kitchen. Some of the affordable kitchen islands also provide you with additional functionalities like breadboards and towel racks.
When you set out to include an island in your kitchen, be diligent enough to take precise measurements of your kitchen and oversight of how you want your kitchen to appear. Apart from that, you must ensure that you love to include an island in your kitchen.
The tips are just one of the many ways of beautifying your kitchen and imparting some styles and functions you’ve always wanted in your kitchen. But then, you have your taste and desire. There is something you want in your kitchen that is different from what other people want.
To get the most of the kitchen island, instill it with the right materials, styles, and shapes that you want. You will genuinely be happy that you did.
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