If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the kitchen island is its beating pulse. And at the center of that pulse is the kitchen island. Today they're deceivingly hardworking—they function as work stations (both for cooking and not), storage centers, and general congregation and entertaining areas. One of the most common pitfalls homeowners encounter when outfitting this hub of activity is understanding how the height of the countertop height affects the style—and proportions—of the stools you’ll need to buy.