Kitchen islands are great for adding more counter space to the kitchen and provide a gathering place for family and friends. They are the perfect way to increase the storage and counter top space in the kitchen without having to go to the trouble of  remodeling the entire room. They can be designed into many different configurations and are wide enough that users have a lot of space to prepare their food. When choosing a top for the island, consider butcher block or granite. These materials are very durable and hard so you can actually cut on them. You can come up with many different kitchen island ideas by considering the way you wish to use it.