Crate and Barrel Kitchen Island

Crate and Barrel kitchen islands are practical and useful, especially if you're looking to maximize storage and space. In addition to providing extra cabinets and drawers for your stuff, they provide additional work space with butcher block tops. The positives far outweigh the negatives of having to assemble the island on your own and take special care of the butcher block. But with prices that range from $200 for the smaller, outdated islands to $800 for the more decorative designs, the Crate and Barrel kitchen islands are an investment. Still, custom islands would be far more expensive.

The Crate and Barrel kitchen island is a practical addition to just about any home. The additional drawers and cabinets are great for storage anywhere but especially in small spaces. You can fit a lot of stuff behind those closed doors. I keep all my baking tools -- from cookie sheets and muffin tins to measuring cups and cookie presses -- in the cabinet.

Convenience is a priority for those who choose this kitchen island. One side of the wooden butcher block top can fold either up, for when you'd like to use it as a bar-height table, or down for when you'd like it to take up less space. You can either put the rather lovely wooden legs or more practical wheels on the island. If you choose the wheels, you can easily move the entire island, even when it's full. I push it out of the way to clean floors and to use it as an antipasto station or bar when entertaining guests. If the larger sized island doesn't fit in your space, you can opt for the smaller version in the same style.

In black or white, the simple design makes this island as suitable for a country kitchen as it is for a modern one. It's stylish without being fussy, and you can use the towel bar to display decorative hand towels. I, in fact, change my towels with the season and many of them feature messages, such as "Happy Thanksgiving."

If there is one downside to the Crate and Barrel kitchen island it is the assembly of it. You have to put the cabinet together yourself. The directions are definitely easier to read and understand than the ones that typically come with IKEA furniture. But I still had to take things apart a couple of times and start over after making a mistake. It took me about six hours to complete the island, and I had my father tighten a few of the bolts for additional security.