The Kitchen Island Alternative That's Both Pretty And Practical

Islands have effectively become default components of modern kitchens — as long as there's enough room to accommodate them. That's in large part because of how practical they are. They increase the amount of countertop space for cooking and food prep, and they often boost the storage options within the room as well. However, despite their high level of functionality, islands are actually not always the best option for rounding out the center of the kitchen in everyone's homes. For some, a small table with a couple of elegant-looking chairs might work better. These furnishings allow the kitchen to become the perfect casual dining area for breakfast or other small meals. In some cases, a table and chairs might also take up less space than an island, which can sometimes be a bit bulky, especially for a small kitchen.

A table and chairs can potentially make the kitchen more of a social gathering space — the furnishings create opportunities for doing more than just cooking within the kitchen. For example, while one person is standing at the counter and preparing a meal, another family member can use the table for drawing or working on homework. To top it all off, this countertop alternative might also provide your interior with a distinct visual style that's not as frequently replicated as the kitchen island. Plus, it's another opportunity for decorating the space with a nice-looking house plant, a bowl of fruit, or other unbeatable tips for styling round kitchen tables.

To decide if you'd like to use a table and chairs in place of a kitchen island, you'll first need to think carefully about how everyone in your home actually uses the kitchen. Are people likely to use the island or the table more? Also, make sure you think about how valuable the extra storage that comes with an island could be for your space. Do you need more cabinets and drawers, or do you already have plenty of storage space? If you like the idea of the table but still need extra storage, you can DIY a long floating shelf for the wall or choose other storage solutions instead. 

Next, consider the dimensions of the room, relative to the size of your table. Unlike an island, which allows you to walk right up to it thanks to its toe kicks, your table and chairs need plenty of clearance. If you don't give the table enough breathing room, you'll constantly be tripping on it and the chairs, which could be dangerous, especially if you're carrying a hot pan.

Don't forget to think about how a table will fit your kitchen's existing design style and match up with the room's color palette. If you have a rustic, traditional kitchen, a wood plank table might work best, especially if you have butcher's block countertops. If you have a sleeker, more modern space, then you might choose a furnishing with a more uniform surface instead. Finally, you'll need to determine the best type of lighting to use in your kitchen, relative to the placement of your table to ensure the space is illuminated properly.