The kitchen is oftentimes the heart of the home. It’s where you and your family fuel up for the day. At the center of the kitchen is the kitchen island, the part of the room that provides an extra spot for meal prepping, cooking, and gathering for casual meals or coffee breaks, and even extra storage space. Aside from all its practical uses, the island can also serve as a decorative focal point of the kitchen. We’ve gathered our top kitchen island ideas, from big to small and simple to over-the-top to help inspire your kitchen design.

Color isn’t the only way you can help make a kitchen island stand out. Like this unique kitchen design, the water droplets chandelier right above the kitchen island is the main focal point which adds just the right amount of visual appeal throughout the entire Kitchen. Moreover, the marble countertop of the Kitchen island paired with dull gold minimal designed wall unit and colorful granite backsplash with warm lighting is creating a striking look.

This sleek kitchen island fits seamlessly in this minimalist kitchen with clean lines. To keep with the bright and airy theme of this home, this neutral dining island has curved edges for a subtle, soft look and these pendant lights are boasting its overall look. The rest of the furnishings are neutral as well to add a cheery and clean vibe to the space.

This oversized white oak kitchen island is the centerpiece of an open home layout because it works cohesively with the merged rooms. It has a large size comprising four seats and space to tuck in the bar stools. So there is plenty of room on the other side for an easy workflow. Every part of this island is functional, from the large prep area to all the cabinet and drawer storage. Also, these pendant lights over the kitchen island is adding a more aesthetically pleasing look to the space.

This kitchen peninsula design is the piece de resistance in this kitchen that’s is bold and daring, yet cozy and welcoming with its timeless, distinct black theme and heightened countertop and bar stools. It can be used both as preparing food and dining area.