For many of us, the kitchen island is the beating heart of the home. The center point of our kitchens, islands not only improve functionality by offering extra storage and surface space, but they've also cemented themselves as a convivial place for the family to gather. A kitchen layout is incomplete without one... or is it? Turns out, no, and some designers are even swearing off islands for their limitations.
Trends are ever changing, and with them, so are our kitchen island ideas. The island might have been a mainstay for the past few decades, but as our relationship with our kitchen changes, are they still the must-have design feature they once were? For a start, our kitchens feel more sociable than ever before. They're no longer purely functional, instead offering a space to gather with friends and family. You might consider the island central to that set-up, but banquette seating, bistro tables, and smaller breakfast bars are becoming increasingly popular options with added flexibility compared to an island.
