The kitchen of today is not just a place to cook but also a place for the family to get together, cook, eat and share the joys of everyday life. More and more interior designers are creating kitchen styles that promote mingling among family members. And that's why no modern day kitchen is complete without a kitchen island right in the heart of it.

Kitchen Islands

To begin with, kitchen islands are very convenient and can be used from all sides. It is the ideal place where the cook can socialize with the invitees. Moreover, they exude the look of furniture as they are separate from the rest of the kitchen. And if a contrasting scheme is used, then the kitchen island can look really stylish.

Cooktop

An island can also be used to install kitchen appliances like a cooktop which gives the cook an opportunity to talk with the guests while cooking. You can also fit other appliances in the space of the island like a microwave or even a dishwasher. You can even use that space as storage for various other kitchenwares or even as a cabinet.

Different Islands With Sink

The sizes of different islands vary according to the needs of the kitchen. If the kitchen is small, then the kitchen island can become a barrier and hinder free movement. If you are thinking that should I put a sink in my kitchen island? Including a sink on the kitchen island is a wise idea as it speeds up the cleanup process as the other appliances like dishwasher, garbage bin and microwave may be closer to the sink.

Shelf Space

The shelf space on the sides of the island can also be used for collectibles and other kitchen appliances. You can even put up a wine rack because it will not only look stylish but also save a lot of storage space. And as mentioned earlier, the countertop material need not necessarily match the rest of the kitchen as long as it is proportionate with the rest of the kitchen. A butcher-block countertop is good for chopping purposes, while marble or granite countertops are suitable for baking and for rolling dough.