When you first bought or designed your current kitchen island, it probably seemed perfect. But what if you could make it better? Have you ever thought that you can get more from your kitchen island with a simple makeover? There are tons of improvements you could make. Just think of what you need in your kitchen or what could make the island better and more appealing.

Storage and display.

One idea is to have built-in compartments where you can store and display things like cookbooks, magazines, vases and decorations. If you have an open floor plan with the kitchen island facing the dining area or the living room, then take this opportunity to display your beautiful collections.

Kitchen islands on wheels.

Having a mobile kitchen island is quite practical. You can easily move it around when you’re cleaning the kitchen or you can use it as a serving table. Also, it makes redecorating very easy. You can simply change the location of the island and rethink the décor.

Built-in appliances.

Having a kitchen island gives you the perfect opportunity to also opt for built-in appliances. For example, the stove can be part of the island and you can save space elsewhere in the kitchen. You can also include the microwave in there or other appliances you prefer out of the way.

Wine storage.

If your kitchen island can also be used as a bar, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have built-in wine racks in there. Depending on the size of your kitchen island and your preferences, you can have decide how many cubbies you need or want to include.

Work station.

No room for a separate home office? Why not use the kitchen island as a workstation then? If you want to take the idea one step further, then you can have a monitor that slides inside the island and comes up only when you need it. There are also other ways to integrate gadgets into your furniture.

TV inside the island.

Although it’s not an ideal place for a TV, the kitchen island allows you to easily include it in its design. For example, this island has a small open space on one side and the TV fits right in there. This works especially great if the kitchen island is facing the living area or the dining space.

Built-in seating.

Your kitchen island could also double as a seating area. This island has the perfect shape to accommodate a cozy nook with an L-shaped bench and two armchairs. It’s all business on one side and relaxation on the other. The coffee table completes the set.

Split level.

To make the kitchen island double as a bar without taking from the prep space you can have a split-level island. Here’s an example of how that might look like. Of course, you can customize the design, shape and size according to your own needs and preferences.

Suspended shelves.

To get more storage space on the kitchen island you can add some suspended shelves. Use them to store and display things like spices, jars, glasses and all sorts of things. The island will also become a sort of room divider, given the design.

Add an extra tall table.

You can make your kitchen island extra long and functional by adding a tall table at one end. You can use it as a breakfast bar. Round tables work especially well in this case but other shapes can also be incorporated. Just make sure the table fits in the kitchen.

Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8and 9.