Yes, You Can Have a Dream Kitchen Island — Even in a Tiny Cook Space! — With These 9 Small, Smart Designs

Sure, good things come in small packages, but if you’re working with a kitchen that’s on the more diminutive side of things, cooking in such a limited layout can get pretty cramped pretty quickly. If you’re not quite ready to DIY some new cabinets into your walls or go full minimalist, then the off-the-shelf, pint-sized kitchen island might be just the thing you need to level up your cook space. It’s that piece of mealtime-approved furniture that can give you more prep surface area, kitchen storage, and even a pop of color in one (some assembly required!) swoop. All of the following options are below 54-inches in length (and most are below 40-inches actually), offering even those with teeny tiny kitchens some space for more function and fun.

A sleek frame and marble top set this fancy kitchen island apart, making it appropriate for kitchens that want their island to add an extra dose of highbrow appeal to a small space. It’s functional, too: Shelf storage is plentiful, including an area perfect for wine bottles, and there’s enough leg room to accommodate stools on one side, so you can set your dream breakfast spot.

Buy: Marble Top Kitchen Island, $1,799.00 from CB2

A sturdy kitchen island that says “family heirloom” even if you’re the first member of your family who loves to cook, this multi-level island comes in a range of colors — from basil to barn red — with a maple finish on top. A built-in drawer for your kitchen tools is a handy way to ensure you’ll never be mid-meal and need to go racing off to find a missing vegetable peeler.

Buy: BoosBlock Prep Table, $2,242.00 from Wayfair

Pull up a chair! This kitchen island has the sort of loosely rustic flair and jeweled forest green hue that will fit in nicely in any space and a wide overhang for accommodating countertop seating. That means while you’re chopping, you can still be chatting… and maybe asking others to help a little, too.

Buy: Grayson Kitchen Island, $799.00 from Urban Outfitters

A little bit modern and a whole lot of playful, this kitchen-island-on-wheels is for home cooks who know that big statements can come in small packages. Sure, it might not be as wide as other kitchen islands out there, but with three tiers of storage space perfect for organizing your dish towels, day-to-day plates, or coffee collection, it’s sure to make any extra-small spaces a little more cheerful.

Buy: Butcher Block Kitchen Cart, $759.99 from Wayfair

With classic lines and just a hint of nostalgic charm, friends and family will race to gather around this kitchen island during meal prep for years to come. Boasting a towel bar, four hooks, and a windowpane glass storage compartment, you can easily show off your vintage cookware while keeping the less aesthetic essentials right at your fingertips, too.

Buy: Windham Woodtop Kitchen Island, $290.00 from Target

Ideal for squeezing into tight spaces (the counter is 36-inches square), this kitchen island has a modern silhouette that will provide just the right amount of extra prep area you need for whipping up fluffy omelets and gourmet dinners. The open shelves also provide a way to spotlight your favorite collection of kitchen curios or frequently-used ingredients (flour, oats, etc.) in attractive jars.

Buy: Tanna Kitchen Island, $309.99 from Wayfair

Antique finishes are the name of the game with this kitchen island, which boasts two felt-lined drawers for utensils, silver drawer pulls, and additional shelving for pots, pans, or even a few kitchen plants. Sure, this might be a new piece of kitchen furniture, but it will give your space an “old soul” feeling.

Buy: Keyla Antique Two-Toned Kitchen Island, $569.99 from Target

Accented with mid-century modern features and a goes-with-everything wood finish, this kitchen island is sure to add a touch of subtle luxury to your kitchen space without taking up too much room. It’s available in either brown oak or an antique black finish.

Buy: Erickson Solid Wood Kitchen Island, $473.00 from Wayfair

If you’re looking for a way to keep your kitchen more organized, look no further than this do-it-all kitchen island. There’s shelving space for olive oils and a small spice rack, built-in knife and paper towel holders, as well as a trash compartment for ultra-simple clean up. With a durable stainless steel body cast in a dreamy sky blue finish, this is the workhorse you’ve been looking for.

Buy: Gordi Wood Kitchen Cart, $314.99 from Wayfair