The kitchen island is a design element that dates back to medieval times, when this the heart of a kitchen preparation area. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that the kitchen island is one of the most popular features that consumers look for and is considered a must by as much as 80 percent of home buyers. The kitchen island is a functional and decorative element that can be used in a variety of ways. Read on for some ideas on how to design your own.

Most kitchens can use all the storage they can get. A kitchen island provides additional storage in several ways. The first is with cabinets, which easily store a number of items. A second storage element that is popular on kitchen islands is shelving. Open shelves at both ends can provide the perfect bookshelf for cookbooks and recipe boxes. For avid wine lovers, a kitchen island can also offer the perfect place for a wine rack.

An island can quickly transform the functionality of your kitchen. You can install a stove or sink in a kitchen island, making dinner preparation quicker and easier. Use your kitchen island to streamline meal preparation. Consider its placement in the room in

If your island is large enough, you may be able to use one side of it as a seating area. This side of the island should have a slight lip and be tall enough to accommodate chairs or stools. If you plan to use your island for everyday meals, you can keep place mats and a napkin holder on the island. If you plan to use this seating more for homework or gathering and talking while you prepare the meal, the surface may be more useful if left bare.

If you have limited space for a kitchen island, consider a small, movable version. A simple cart with two or three shelves and a flat surface on top can provide ample preparation space while you’re cooking. Yet, when you need the floorspace for foot traffic, the cart can be easily moved to the side or placed along a free wall. If you plan to move your kitchen island frequently, loo for locking wheels for safer moving and storage.

Don’t forget to consider the space above the kitchen island as well. If you’ll be using this as a workspace or eating area, install appropriate lighting. A large chandelier often can provide ample lighting as well as a pleasing decorative element to an otherwise functional space. If it houses a stove, add an exhaust hood. If you need even more storage, the space above the island is ideal for hanging pots and pans or wineglasses.