A kitchen island adds style and efficiency, not only does it increase your counter and storage space, it also gives you a prep station, and extra space for seating — and there is so much more! We have put together a collection of versatile kitchens to suit every need, whether you love to bake, cook or need an island to help with storage solutions. If you do bake, you may want to consider your island to have pull-out drawers to keep your supplies and a countertop that will make rolling cookie dough a snap! If you are needing functional storage, the whole backside of your island can contain deep drawers with shelving units that slide out so you can see everything that is in them. An island can have an additional sink for washing vegetables, or it can be your main sink, with a dishwasher located next to it. On the other side could be a pull out trash, with two bins to sort your regular trash and recyclables. You could have a mini-fridge installed into your island for beverages, a wine chiller, or even cold drawers for extra food storage. You many also want to use your island as a breakfast bar or use it in place of a breakfast nook… or use it as overflow seating if you like to frequently entertain.

(Image Above) This kitchen was given a beautiful industrial touch with an island that has been clad with salvaged barn wood that has been placed in a herringbone pattern. The countertops feature Calacatta marble with an integrated undercount sink, making it a great prep station and the perfect spot to sit down on one of the stools and enjoy a light snack!

Since the island is positioned in the center of your kitchen, it is natural for it to become the focal point of the space. You should select an island that compliments the decor in your kitchen, but it can still have a contrasting countertop from the perimeter countertops, or have a different wood finish to create a unique aesthetic. If you do not have a designer helping you with these design decisions, then a safe bet is just to select cabinets for island that matches the rest of the kitchen. Your countertop can be level or you can add an extension off of it that is either higher or lower for the eating space. The sink or a cooktop can be integrated into the island to create its own separate workstation.

An additional option would be to add a movable island into your design, making it easy to take out of the way if additional space is needed. When deciding on the size of your island, you need to first take into consideration how much available space you have in your kitchen for this addition. Do you need a major renovation to make this happen, does a wall need to be removed? If you have limited space, you can still have a smaller island that can provide you with a lot of function and much needed storage options.

Continue to browse through the kitchen island images that we have collected for you to find some amazing ideas on what kitchen island can do for your space. Enjoy!

A bright and airy shaker style kitchen painted in a light gray and topped with granite countertops. Tumbled marble flooring adds to the beautiful aesthetic of the space.

Why have a breakfast nook when you can build an extensive kitchen island and have an all-in-one prep space and dining area. It makes serving your family or guests a lot easier… or at least a great spot to enjoy breakfast!

Add a splash of color such as turquoise on your island, creating a tropical aesthetic. Add color to your island can be the perfect trick to adding some visual appeal to an all white kitchen… and remember, you can always change the color if you want a fresh new look!

An old world style kitchen is framed at the entryway by custom display cases painted in a fresh navy hue. This interesting color choice creates a division of space and create visual interest to a mostly white kitchen.

Create a beach-chic aesthetic with a turquoise painted island topped with a quartz countertop. At the far side of this expansive island is a black walnut prep station. A colorful backsplash features a mosaic tile that mimics the look of fish scales.

21. Set in a Victorian home, this kitchen features a mix of old and new. Upper cabinets are fronted with glass to showcase a damask wallpaper lining. Tolix counter stools have been added to one side of the island, while pendant lights adds to the industrial aesthetic. Designer Rebekah Zaveloff mixed old with new to keep this kitchen true to the home’s Victorian architecture. She lined the glass-front cabinets with high-end damask wallpaper as a nod to turn-of-the-century style then added industrial-style lighting and steel stools to bring this timeless kitchen into the new millenium.

This Arts and Crafts style-inspired kitchen is ultra-luxe. The stunning island takes center stage, featuring burled wood and a small prep sink.

An old farmhouse was given a fresh update with new cabinetry and energy-effiencient appliances that mixes well with period pieces such as the tin pendant fixtures suspended over the island. Adding a touch of charm to the space, a salvaged newel post was integrated into the corner of the breakfast bar for support.

This expansive blueish-gray island is the perfect spot to enjoy several activities such as a food prep station, a spot to enjoy a snack, use as a buffet station or a space to lounge with a glass of wine amongst friends. Thick marble countertops adds a sophisticated feel to the space.

This fabulous island features a black walnut countertop with a clear wax sealant. Since there was not enough width to add a rollout trash receptacle, the cabinet designer installed a pullout organization rack.

This island features some playful furnishings to help infuse a little color into an otherwise white kitchen.

39. We saved the best for last… at least in terms of anyone seeking a creatively designed kitchen with salvaged materials for a budget-friendly design. Reclaimed wood from the floor of an old rail car was used for the super durable slab countertop on the island.

Photo Sources: 1. Sarah Richardson, 2. Palmerston Design Consultants, 3. BHG, 4. At Home in Arkansas, 5. Tom Howley Kitchens, 6. Design House, 7. Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design, 8. Distinctive Design, 9. Simo Design, 10. Garrison Hullinger Interior Design, 11. Sam Sacks Design via House to Home, 12. Martha O’Hara Interiors, 13. Collaborative Interiors, 14. Postcard From Paris, 15. House of L Interior Design, 16. HGTV, 17. Candelaria Design, 18. Five Star Interiors, 19. Lauren Shadid Architecture and Interiors, 20. HGTV, 21. KitchenLab, 22. Austin Patterson Disston Architects, 23. Neil Lerner Designs, 24. Sarah Richardson, 25. Erinn Valencich, 26. Jamie Herzlinger, 27. Kenzer Furniture, 28. Michael Robert Construction, 29. Archer & Buchanan Architecture, 30. Postcard From Paris, 31. Creative Design Construction, 32. Taylor Lombardo Architects, 33. Susan Glick Interiors, 34. Keystone Millworks, 35. Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, 36. HGTV, 37. Siemasko + Verbridge, 38. AGK Design Studio, 39. HGTV