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Transform your cooking space with kitchen islands and carts
Dan S. Morris is the Chief Content Editor and founder of ChosenFurniture. He covers high-quality furniture products that are designed to last, so is the best point of contact for house goods advice.
We spent 70+ hours researching dozens of moderately and high-end priced kitchen islands, balancing the pros and cons of various models, so you can choose the best option. While we’ve written about the best bean bag chairs, porch swing chairs, and sleeper sofas, now it’s time to go deep and review the best kitchen islands and carts you can find on the market.
For many of us, the kitchen is the centerpiece and heart of our home – it plays a crucial role in anyone’s life. And the best kitchen islands and carts are those “luxury” pieces of furniture that create a functional space where you can gather with family and friends to cook, eat, and share memories. Every kitchen has the potential to provide storage and additional counter space and offers great functionality. Many homes include a mobile kitchen island. However, not all of them have enough of any of these. A kitchen island has to solve any or all of these problems.
If you are fortunate to already have a kitchen island you’re in for a treat. For those that are on the search to buy one, we review the best kitchen island carts. When it comes to kitchen islands, never assume your kitchen space is too small for an island – you’d be surprised by the options below. From storage to additional seating, and ample space for cooking and entertaining, any den, apartment or house will benefit from the versatility a kitchen island has to offer.
Our Top Picks
- Editor’s Choice: Home Styles Americana Kitchen Island Wood Top
Jump to Review - Best with Drawers: Three Posts Diamondback Kitchen Island
Jump to Review - Best Value: Raabe Wide Rolling Kitchen Island Cart
Jump to Review - Best Hardwood Top: Casual Home Kitchen Island Solid American Hardwood
Jump to Review - Best Prep Table: Delesha Wide Prep Table Multifunction Kitchen Islands
Jump to Review - Best Storage Cart: Winsome Wood Single Drawer Kitchen Storage Cart
Jump to Review - Best Wide Countertop: Birch Lane Oak Park Wide Kitchen Island
Jump to Review - Best Rustic: Home Styles Americana Antique Kitchen Island
Jump to Review - Best Splurge: Hardiman Wide Rolling Kitchen Island Cart
Jump to Review - Best for Small Spaces: Winsome Wood Drop-Leaf Kitchen Island Cart
Jump to Review
Editor’s Choice – Best of the Best
Homestyles Americana Kitchen Island Wood Top
As one of the best-looking products that are available on the market today, Homestyles Americana Kitchen Island Wood Top is made up of solid rubberwood, which provides durability and strength. Comes in three finishes with an aged look, giving an elegant look to your kitchen. The kitchen island has many features. Include a unique convenient drop leaf that rises to provide additional dining and serving space.
It also features antique nickel hardware, an easy glide storage drawer, raised detail cabinet doors with adjustable shelves inside, and open storage on each end with an adjustable shelf. The clear-cut finish of the wood material prevents it from wear and tear and makes it last longer than expected. You might feel overwhelmed when the 3 large boxes arrived believing installation would be a nightmare. It is really easy, straightforward, and quick.
- Antiqued sanded and distressed finish
- Hardwood solids and engineered wood
- Storage cabinet with accessibility from both sides
- Easy-glide pass-through drawer
- A good deal for the money
- Heavy and stable, not easy to move it
- Some of the holes don’t line up for the screws
Size: 26.5 x 49.8 x 36.5 inches | Base Material: Rubberwood | Countertop: Solid wood | Colors: Black, white, full distressed oak | Weight: 75 pounds
Best with Cabinet Storage
Three Posts Diamondback Kitchen Island
A real striking centerpiece, the Three Posts Diamondback Kitchen Island with Drop Leaf takes center stage and adds a fresh style to your traditional home. Crafted from solid and engineered wood, this island is safe for food prep and serving. This sleek kitchen island makes meal preparation a breeze. It is a very solid piece of furniture that you’ll enjoy using for a lot of years going forward.
The drawers and one cabinet with shelves will help you to keep any clutter out of sight. There’s a drop-leaf for extra space and plenty of storage for cooking essentials. When dinner prep is done, store dinnerware on the island’s shelves. Each end of the countertop has sculpted edges, while open shelves on the sides are ideal for storing spices and dressings.
- Fits perfectly in any kitchen
- Adds great depot space
- Roomy cabinets and shelves
- Solid piece of furniture
- A bit of a challenge to assemble
Size: 36 x 47.75 x 25 inches | Base Material: Solid + manufactured wood | Countertop: Solid wood / MDF | Colors: Black, white | Weight: 132 pounds
Best Value
Raabe Wide Rolling Kitchen Island Cart
Create additional kitchen storage space with the slime and attractive Raabe Wide Rolling Kitchen Island Cart. Constructed from solid wood, this kitchen island cart boasts a painted white finish with a protective lacquer to minimize wear from normal use. It is a great addition to your house because of its style, functionality, and quality. The simplicity of this cart is sure to impress your guests.
You can’t go wrong with this kitchen island cart. Has a clean and minimalist style, and its white color would go well with almost any decor. And due to its size and movability, this kitchen cart may be used as a casual beverage center. The butcher block top withstands heat exposure, impact, and the normal wear and tear of a kitchen, so you may use it to prep your meals. Features two wide shelves that can easily be filled with necessities, as well as a metal rack for towels.
- Traditional design
- Large storage on shelves
- Solid butcher block
- Portable, includes two wheels
- Available in one size and color
Size: 35 x 32 x 18 inches | Base Material: Solid Wood | Countertop: Solid Wood | Colors: White | Weight: 40 pounds
Best Hardwood Top
Casual Home Kitchen Island Solid American Hardwood Top
Expand your kitchen storage possibilities and style with Casual Home Kitchen Island Solid American Hardwood Top. This multi-function island cart ensures plenty of storage and fits beautifully in any space. One of the main features is the two-tone design. The finishing is done in a beautiful white finish color that makes the cabinet look unique and elegant while the top is made of natural wood in natural/beech finish.
The warm countertop provides the perfect prep space for cooking meals. Include one large sliding drawer and two large shelves. The drawer pulls with a stainless steel handle to provide an enclosed space to keep your kitchen essentials. Spacious lower shelves provide ample storage space for your kitchen essentials. It is also equipped with a stainless steel towel rack. For the price you pay, it is a good-quality affordable piece, and not too heavy to move since it has no casters.
- Functional, well designed and manufactured
- Lots of extra storage space
- Instructions are basic but easy to follow
- Great value for the money
- Bottom part feels ultra-light and cheap
- No casters available for easy mobility
Size: 20 x 40 x 36.5 inches | Base Material: Solid wood | Countertop: Hardwood | Colors: White | Weight: 45.8 pounds
Best Prep Table
Delesha Wide Prep Table Multifunction Kitchen Island
Are you looking for a safe, durable, and heavy-duty worktable? Made of metal and wood with an open concept design, Delesha Wide Prep Table Multifunction Kitchen Islands adds flair and functionality to any decor. This three-tiered multipurpose island features two open shelves to make sure that everything has storage, and the large tabletop serves as the perfect prep or workplace. As a side note, the middle shelf is wood veneer, while the bottom shelf is constructed of round metal slats.
The shelf’s attractive rustic oak finish and the black metal frame finish give refinement to this prep table. To be honest, due to its multi-use design and factory-chic flare, the Delesha Cart is most comfortable in the kitchen, but also in a home office, basement, or foyer. And it offers a design that is ideal for tiny rooms. Add this beautiful kitchen island and table to your house or apartment right now.
- Great quality island
- Solid metal and wood construction
- Stable and comfortable
- Holding up nicely
- Countertop chips incredibly easily (need sanding and refinishing)
Size: 36.25 x 48 x 20 inches | Base Material: Steel | Countertop: Manufactured wood | Colors: Black / Antique oak | Weight: 61.71 pounds
Best Storage Cart
Winsome Wood Single Drawer Kitchen Cabinet Storage Cart
The Winsome Wood Single Drawer Kitchen Cabinet Storage Cart is a compact option for small kitchens. It is constructed of solid beechwood and provides you with a food preparation surface and storage cart all in one. It has a natural look due to its finish with a clear lacquer that seals the actual solid beechwood. The material of the back of the cart is the same as the front and sides. It has a compact design that does not require huge storage spaces, but at the same time, it is quite convenient.
The towel bar is installed on the right-hand side. You could drill your own holes on the left and fill the holes on the right. There is a cabinet behind the front doors with two removable slatted shelves. The doors and drawers are equipped with wooden handlebars for easy opening and closing. You can shift the cabinet to different corners of the kitchen or any room as it is crafted with four black lockable casters for easy pulling and pushing.
- Solid beechwood kitchen cart
- Lots of extra storage space
- Removable slatted shelves
- Casters provide high mobility
- Bottom part feels ultra-light
- Difficult to assemble
Size: 26.9 x 18.2 x 34.3 inches | Base Material: Solid beechwood | Countertop: Solid beechwood | Colors: Natural finish | Weight: 54 pounds
Best Wide Countertop
Birch Lane Oak Park Wide Kitchen Island
Jam-packed with a wide array of practical features, Birch Lane Oak Park Wide Kitchen Island is a fantastic addition to any traditional or farming-style kitchen. It is one of the perfect examples of a combination of form and function. As for the base frame and counter, this kitchen island is made using solid rubberwood for sturdiness and has a neutral finish that lets it blend well with all types of colors.
This prep table includes a genuine solid wood butcher block top on which you may safely prepare your food. It features two drawers and two open lower shelves for organizing your cooking necessities. The countertop above has an oak finish for a pleasant and natural look. The island is just beautiful, functional, and solid. And very easy to piece together. As a downside, the shelves (and drawer bottoms) are surprisingly thin, almost like a paneling sort of wall cover material.
- Absolutely beautiful and very well made
- Wide countertop
- Natural wood grain color variation
- Clear, well written assembly instructions
- Drawers are not as deep
- Shelves and bottoms of drawers materials are cheap
Size: 35.43 x 51.97 x 27.95 inches | Base Material: Solid wood | Countertop: Solid wood | Colors: Antique white, black, gray; Oak | Weight: 80.3 pounds
Best Rustic
Home Styles Americana Antique Kitchen Island
Giving you the storage you always wanted, the Home Styles Americana Antique Kitchen Island will be the go-to spot in your kitchen. Rustic design elements are visible in the bold lines of the raised panel doors and are hand-applied. Features an antiqued white or black sanded and distressed finish over hardwood solids and engineered wood. A distressed oak finished top and matching oak finished knobs complete the look.
The drawer on the island is easy to glide in and out. The storage shelves are open so you can see all of the items you have stored on the island. Because its accessible from the left and right, this island is not only stylish but functional from both sides. Great for cooking as well as eating on it. Gather your family and guests around it for the next dinner you are organizing and surprise them by showing them this beautiful piece, which is one of the best wood kitchen island.
- Apparent rustic design elements
- Distressed oak finished top
- Matching oak finished knobs
- Open storage shelves
- Countertop is thin, might scratches and dents easily
Size: 24 x 42 x 36 inches | Base Material: Engineered wood | Countertop: Hardwood | Colors: White, black | Weight: 138.9 pounds
Best Splurge
Hardiman Wide Rolling Kitchen Island Cart
Do you need a place ideal for cooking, preparing, and serving? The Hardiman Wide Rolling Kitchen Island Cart can be used in many areas of your home and in different ways. Made of manufactured wood, features three drawers for keeping plates, cutlery, and other essentials, as well as one cabinet for storing small kitchenware and other requirements.
Its hardwood top functions as a butcher block, and the handy drop-down leaf provides additional surface space to create a breakfast bar or bigger area for food prep. The rack is ideal for storing often difficult-to-find spices and is conveniently positioned on one end, with the built-in towel rack on the other. Furthermore, this piece is supported by four detachable casters (two are lockable). Buyers love this portable kitchen island cart because is easy to put together and the wheels allow them to move it wherever they want.
- Very solid piece of furniture
- Lots of storage space, drawers are large
- The butcher block top is very nice
- The shelf is sturdy inside the cabinet
- Cheap particle board and cardboard
- Some quality control issues
Size: 35.75 x 53.75 x 29 inches | Base Material: Manufactured wood / MDF | Countertop: Solid wood | Colors: Black, white, indigo, charcoal, cherry, gray, red | Weight: 105 pounds
Best for Small Spaces
Winsome Wood Drop-Leaf Kitchen Island Cart
Multi-functional, mobile cabinet ideal for small kitchens or for those needing additional storage and workspace. You can use it in your kitchen for additional workspace without taking up too much floor space. Also ideal to be placed next to a dining room table with its easy-to-access storage space. Winsome Wood Drop-Leaf Kitchen Island Cart is made using solid wood materials, which ensures durability. Finished in a clear lacquer to highlight the natural beechwood grain.
This kitchen cart’s main feature is the two drop leaves that enhance the top workspace. The top counter offers a roomy food prep area and the two foldout sides add almost 10 more inches in length. A drawer provides maximum space for your knives, forks, spoons, and other kitchen utensils. The open shelf under the drawer can be used to store bowls and plates. The two-door compartment opens up ample storage space to keep additional kitchen essentials. All standing on four rolling casters, two of which lock to keep in place.
- Ideal for small kitchens that need more workspace
- Double drop leaf top
- The drawer and cabinet handles are elegant
- Plenty of storage space.
- Do not have multiple finishes
- Lacks an open rack
Size: 45 x 20 x 33 inches | Base Material: Solid wood | Countertop: Solid wood | Colors: Natural beechwood grain | Weight: 63 pounds
Tips for Buying a Kitchen Island Cart
The Right Size
Large kitchen islands are gorgeous – yet, you need a lot of space to make room for one. Choose your kitchen island to suit the space in your kitchen and leave space to cook/work efficiently. Optimally, the gap between an island and some other furniture or apparel in your kitchen should not be less than 36-48 inches. Or, you can choose a model with wheels and move it around the kitchen. Unlike kitchen islands, kitchen carts are generally mobile.
Storage and Organization
Think about the kinds of items you need to store on your kitchen island. There are many types of storage available on the kitchen island, from drawers and shelves to cupboards, a spice rack, and cabinets. Look for a kitchen island that provides drawers and slots for all your spoons, knives, and forks. If you have small appliances, look for kitchen islands that provide plenty of sturdy shelves and a drop leaf.
Pick the Best Surface
If you’ll be using a kitchen island primarily for food preparation, find an island that’s topped with a butcher block. In some cases, kitchen islands with butcher blocks offer the best cutting surface and cleaning is simple. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty island, a stainless steel top is heat-resistant and more durable. For smaller kitchens where the island will be a prep station and later a dining surface, go with a varnished wood top.
FAQ
Are kitchen islands out of style?
Kitchen islands will never go out of style. They have become a necessity in today’s kitchen and are more than simply a passing trend. Islands give much-needed work and storage space to the kitchen. And you can add a nice Sputnik chandelier to create a modern atmosphere!
How much should I pay for a kitchen island?
A normal island cart on the market may cost from $200 to $1,000, depending on how big it is and the materials used. Islands with electrical power but no plumbing or cooking equipment often cost more than $2,000. Custom islands with power and water start at about $3,000 but usually cost a bit more. When eating space, cooking appliances, ventilation, and cabinetry are included, a full kitchen island set is above $20,000.
Are kitchen islands a good idea?
A very well-made and beautifully designed kitchen island may dramatically shift the flow of a room by establishing a distinct center point and creating a gathering place for working, cooking, dining, and relaxing. Your decision will be influenced mostly by your needs, preferences, budget, and available space.
Does my island have to match cabinets and countertops?
Matching an island to kitchen cabinets and countertops creates a kind of symmetry and aesthetics within a kitchen. If you’re using different cabinet or countertop colors you can turn an island into a beautiful focal point inside of your kitchen. Different island and cabinet colors add variety to the kitchen, while similar countertops tie everything together.
