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The Best Kitchen Island

Last updated on July 30, 2023

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A well-made kitchen island with caster wheels can help you make the most out of your kitchen space, and you can keep it out of the way when not in use and roll it over when needed. You decide; they can be kept in one spot or stored against a wall, in a corner or in another room or closet. They act as an all-in-one storage and food prep solution and come in various sizes. How convenient is that?

When shopping for moveable kitchen islands, think about what the primary purposes need to be. If you need a good amount of extra storage and have enough room, look for ones with large built-in cabinets, adjustable shelves and drawers.

If food prep is essential, look for a wooden top for easily chopping and slicing. You’ll need a separate cutting board for islands with tops made from other materials. One of the essential features of these islands is wheel locks; you wouldn’t want the island to roll anywhere because that’d be dangerous.

Wood is the most popular choice for kitchen islands, and it doesn’t have to be solid to be well-built; engineered wood is fine in most cases. The more expensive models may also have wood detailing like carvings and paneling.

Kitchen carts are usually made from metal or glass but can be made from other materials. While some have closed storage areas, other options have open storage or a combination of the two.

The standard height for countertops is 36 inches, but you choose a product up to 42 inches tall for a breakfast bar. A lower height of 30 inches makes it better to prepare food since it’s easier to roll out the dough and chop vegetables at this height.

You’ll find moveable kitchen islands in different styles, like country, farmhouse, industrial and modern. You should match your kitchen’s aesthetic, but the actual color of the island doesn’t need to match.

Our Picks For The Top Kitchen Islands

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Home Styles Dolly Madison Drop-Leaf Mobile Kitchen Island

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Home Styles

Dolly Madison Drop-Leaf Mobile Kitchen Island

This is a beautiful off-white space-saving kitchen cart and kitchen island combination. This 18-inch deep, 53-inch wide and 36-inch tall island offers a drop leaf breakfast bar, three storage drawers and two adjustable shelves.

Overall Take

Matches Almost Any DecorYou'll appreciate the neutral, versatile color, perfect size and added convenience this island brings to your kitchen.

 Runner Up

Hasuit Anti-Scratch Kitchen Island On Wheels

Hasuit

Anti-Scratch Kitchen Island On Wheels

Made from thick laminated wood paneling and sturdy steel, this slim-profile farmhouse-style kitchen island is waterproof and anti-scratch. It comes with a swinging doors cabinet, two pull-out drawers, adjustable shelves, plus a spice rack, towel rack and wire baskets.

Overall Take

Rustic, Durable, Good-LookingThis island has enough room to store kitchen necessities, a few linens and produce.

 We Also Like

Boraam Sonoma Stainless Steel Top Kitchen Island

Boraam

Sonoma Stainless Steel Top Kitchen Island

Boraam Sonoma's 45-inch wide kitchen island offers a modern, clean aesthetic with a medium brown wire-brushed wood base and a chrome-finished stainless steel top. It features open shelving, storage drawers, a side towel rack and just the right price.

Overall Take

Topped With Stainless SteelThis solid rubberwood piece has the perfect farmhouse/industrial style you've been looking for!

 Also Great

Yaheetech Storage & Open Shelf Trolley Kitchen Island

Yaheetech

Storage & Open Shelf Trolley Kitchen Island

Yaheetech's inexpensive kitchen cart does double duty as a kitchen island, with its open storage area, slide-out drawer, bottom storage cabinet, side hooks and natural wood grain top. Use the wide drawer to store flat accessories like utensils and keep dishes and small appliances in the bottom.

Overall Take

Compact Size and ShapeThis affordable kitchen cart comes with all the space you'll need.

What to Look For

  • Features like built-in spice racks, towel holders and utility hooks make kitchen islands even more helpful.
  • Some portable kitchen islands also have built-in leaves that provide more workspace or storage room.
  • If you don’t have the space, look for smaller kitchen carts with extra storage space and worktops.
  • Stainless steel tops provide a desirable industrial look but will scratch. Always use cutting boards on these surfaces.
  • Kitchen carts also make great spots for microwaves.
  • Kitchen islands and carts are also great for entertaining; you can bring them out when you have company to serve food and drinks.

More to Explore

The state drink of Rhode Island (adopted in 1993) is coffee milk. This beverage is a close relative of chocolate milk but is made with coffee syrup instead. And get this: a coffee “cabinet” is coffee milk enhanced with a scoop of ice cream.

This delicious and strangely named coffee milkshake is very delicious and was named this way because the person who created it kept his blender inside a kitchen cabinet.

If you’ve never tried this drink, the Rhode Island government recommends Autocrat Coffee Syrup.

More to explore