The 10 Best Kitchen Islands in 2021

Staff, courtesy of Boraam

If you want to upgrade the aesthetics and functionality of your kitchen, adding a kitchen island is the quickest and easiest route to success. Kitchen islands not only offer space for preparing meals, many also offer shelves and storage options that you can use for frequently used devices or easily accessible supplies.

What is to be considered

A kitchen island is a serious purchase because this is one item that you will likely not only be using but looking at every day. Keep the following in mind, and you will end up with a great fit for your needs and space.

size

Carefully measure your kitchen to see how much space an island could take up without affecting your family’s ability to move around comfortably. If possible, cut a similar size paper or cardboard and glue it to the floor to get a sense of how much space your kitchen island will take up. Most of our options are on wheels so you can slide them around to find the best spot in your kitchen.

material

If you want to match the overall look of your island to your space, choose the material (usually wood, wood composite, granite, or some form of metal) carefully. Also think about the finish color.

storage

We have islands with open shelves and shelves behind closed doors. Think about what you are saving (and whether you want people to see it all the time) before making your final decision. How many items do you need to store? Some of these islands offer plenty of space and options for storing wine and spices.

How we chose

We’ve reviewed hundreds of kitchen islands, taking into account a wide variety of space, price, design, and user needs. We only included items with both positive critical and customer ratings.

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1

Best money

Kitchen island Americana white & oak in a used look

Living styles
walmart.com

$ 852.84

• Dimensions: 49.75 x 26.5 x 36.5 in
• Worktop:
wood

This kitchen island has an average of 4.6 stars from 1,550+ reviewers on Amazon, and it’s easy to see why at a glance. The timeless construction is characterized by aged oak surfaces and raised details on the cabinet doors. The island is available in white, oak and black.

Each island features durable hardwood, antique nickel fittings, a flip extension, sliding storage drawer, adjustable interior shelves, and open storage on either end for essentials in the pantry. Counter stools up to 24 inches can be combined with the island.

Reviewers love the quality and say it takes a few hours to put together despite the “overwhelming” look of the first box shipment.

2

Best budget wood

Hodekah kitchen island

Hodedah
amazon.com

$ 98.99

• Dimensions: 35.2 x 35.43 x 16.53 in
• Countertop: Wood

This wallet- and space-saving island has many of the bells and whistles that chefs want and need. The island is built from pressed wood and offers a wide range of colors, from white to cherry to chocolate gray. The island also comes with a spice rack, towel rack, drawer, and cabinet space for storing utensils, dishes, pots, pans, and more.

Reviewers rave about the quality “for the money” but say it’s better for kitchens with a lack of space. Some reviewers complain that putting it together is a headache, noting that the quality of the wood “isn’t great and had a few imperfections”.

3

Best budget chrome

Whitmor Supreme Kitchen Chrome

Whitmor
amazon.com

$ 75.28

• Dimensions: 33.5 x 27.5 x 13.25 in
• Countertop: Wood

This car is a dream for minimalists. It’s easy to set up, has adjustable shelves, a towel rail, and a removable wooden worktop. The two open shelves can be adjusted in 1-inch increments so that you can store items of different heights.

The island is made of heavy-duty chrome-plated steel, is easy to clean and has the added benefit of being very durable. The island comes with a limited 10 year warranty. Reviewers love that no tools are required to assemble this island.

4th

Best island with an open shelf

Boraam Sonoma kitchen trolley

boraam
amazon.com

$ 259.99

• Dimensions: 44 x 36 x 20.5 in
• Countertop: Stole

This spacious kitchen island is extremely durable. In total, the cart can hold up to 200 pounds and the shelves can hold 50 pounds each. The island is made of rubber tree wood and has a stainless steel worktop. It also comes with two storage drawers for utensils and other small items, as well as two open shelves; the one in the middle is adjustable.

Reviewers say the quality is “excellent,” “perfect,” and “flawless,” but warn that it will take some time to assemble.

5

Best for storage

Liberty black kitchen trolley

Living styles
amazon.com

$ 319.37

• Dimensions: 53.5 x 36 x 18 in
• Countertop: Stole

This kitchen island is made of solid wood, hardware made of brushed nickel and a stainless steel plate. Below are two adjustable shelves, three storage drawers, a towel rack, and a spice rack behind two cabinet doors, making it a fantastic option for anyone who needs more kitchen space.

Reviewers warn that there are “lots of little pieces to assemble” but after assembling they say it is a “best buy” with a “finished back”, “sooooo tough” and “amazing quality”.

6th

Best granite slab

Linon kitchen island

• Dimensions: 33.88 x 22.8 x 15.63 in
• Countertop: Granite

This kitchen cart has a natural wood finish, chrome-plated fittings, an elegant granite top and a pull-out storage basket and drawer. There is also a fixed shelf and storage shelf for four bottles of wine bottles. Reviewers love how versatile this island is, especially for homes with limited space.

7th

Best industrial style

Industrial kitchen trolleys

• Dimensions: 30.3 x 24 x 16.1 in
• Countertop: Wood

This sleek kitchen island features a solid metal frame construction, two tier metal mesh shelves, and a sleek and durable MDF cutting board.

Reviewers say it works well in kitchens, living rooms, garages, and bedrooms because of its practicality and industrial charm. As with the other simple metal islands we offer, assembly is easy. Several reviewers say they were “pleasantly surprised” by the island’s beauty and durability, and that they appreciate the two shelves for storage.

8th

Best overall result

Kuhnhenn kitchen trolley

Andover Mills
wayfair.com

$ 469.99

• Dimensions: 53.5 x 36 x 17 in
• Countertop: Wood

This kitchen trolley is available in black or white and impresses with its form and function. The island has clean lines, raised wooden cabinet details, a wooden cutting board, and plenty of space. There are three drawers, a towel rail, and a shelf with closed doors for storing utensils, pantry, and equipment. The island also has a folding leaf so you can pull up a stool and have breakfast. The reviewers praised the “easy assembly and the good price”.

9

Best little island

Winsome Drop-Leaf Island

Winsome
amazon.com

$ 160.04

• Dimensions: 33.25 x 25.25 x 20 in
• Countertop: Wood

If you have a tiny kitchen and need extra work space, this kitchen island is a fantastic find. It is made from beech wood with brushed nickel hardware. For its size, the island also offers plenty of storage space, including a utensil drawer, an open shelf and a two-door storage cabinet.

It also has a drop leaf design, which means you can stretch the prep room an additional 20 inches if necessary, but keep the size small when the island is not in use. Reviewers say the kitchen island is a “good bargain” that “adds a lot of work space”.

10

Most practical

Denver Modern kitchen island

Baxton Studio
amazon.com

$ 490.00

$ 233.99 (52% off)

• Dimensions: 35.8 x 41.5 x 17.7 in
• Countertop: Wood

This kitchen island has a modern design with plenty of storage options. The multifunctional island has a towel rail, a cupboard with shelves, a wine rack and two open shelves for storing utensils, cookware or supplies. Reviewers say it’s a “great product” at a “great price,” but warn that it takes time to assemble.


Kathleen Willcox is a journalist writing about parenting, technology, shopping, food, and wine.

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