Good food and good company are two of life's greatest pleasures – and a kitchen island is a great place to bring them together. These classic pieces provide beautiful, functional space for food prep, entertaining, casual dining and everyday gathering.

When it comes to choosing an island, select the size and materials that best suit your kitchen. Among the most popular are handcrafted hardwood islands inspired by traditional European and American kitchen furniture. These substantial pieces are practical works of art – available in a wide range of sizes with various finishes, storage features and types of work surfaces.

Here are some great features to look for:

Butcherblock Top
Laminated end-grain construction looks beautiful – and provides a perfect surface for food prep. It's resilient enough to protect cutlery blades, yet sturdy enough to absorb the full force of a cleaver.

Stainless-Steel Prep Surface
Sleek stainless-steel work surfaces are the top choice of professional kitchens. They're exceptionally durable, hygienic, easy-to-clean – and can withstand even the hottest cookware and baking dishes.

Marble Pastry Board
A natural marble surface is perfect for rolling out pastry because it stays cool as you work, keeping dough at the optimal temperature and preventing sticking. It's also ideal for candymaking.

Expandable worktable
Some islands feature slide-out or folding work surfaces that can expand at a moment's notice to provide extra space for prep, casual dining or visiting.

Open Shelving
Open shelves create easy-to-access storage space for everything from cookware and small appliances to crockery – or use them to showcase your cookbook library.

Cabinetry
Stacks of kitchen linens will stay organized and dust-free inside your island's cabinets. Built-in cabinetry is also perfect for the same storage uses as open shelving.

Drawers
Our update of the traditional French prep table is a true culinary masterpiece. Each piece is handcrafted from solid acacia and select hardwood, topped with a thick, unvarnished rubberwood butcher block.

Wine Storage
Island wine racks store an assortment of your favoritevintages, holding them on their sides to keep corks moist. Many racks have removable dividers, so it's easy to create extra shelving space when you need it.

Towel Racks
Built-in racks provide a handy place for kitchen towels – most have plenty of space to keep separate towels for mopping up spills, drying your hands and giving tableware or glasses a quick polish.

Castors
If you want to be able to move your workspace wherever you need it, choose an island fitted with smooth-rolling castors. Compact, portable islands are also great options for kitchens with limited space.