When I walk into my apartment in New York City, I'm immediately standing in the kitchen. This entryway-less layout may seem strange to those who live in large homes, but it's very common in small spaces in Manhattan. Thankfully, my kitchen is a good size for a small apartment, but since it's the first room you walk into, I knew I needed more than just a countertop for my mail, shopping bags, etc. I did. I was also tired of preparing all my meals on a countertop that was already stocked with various small appliances.
I decided to search Amazon for kitchen islands that would complement the style of my space and provide a versatile surface with additional storage space. I love entertaining, so my cabinets are always filled with colored glassware and tableware. An island with shelves and drawers is a great place to stash extra items you don't use on a daily basis.
While browsing, I looked at several different islands before arriving at the island I purchased, the Shintenji Rolling Kitchen Island Cart. I was immediately drawn to this work for several important reasons. First, the $170 price tag is a steal, and the 15.75-inch width is also great. My kitchen isn't very large, and I didn't want the island to be bulky or completely in the way, especially when multiple people are standing there preparing dinner. The islands have leaves and can extend to a total of less than 25 inches. So when you have friends over, there's plenty of space for larger items like pizza boxes or charcuterie boards.
This island has wheels so I like to move it around the kitchen as needed. The cabinets and drawers (I chose a model with one double cabinet and three drawers) proved to be very useful, holding more glassware and trays than I had imagined. It also has a hook on the side, making it ideal for hanging kitchen towels, etc.
From an aesthetic point of view, I have received many compliments about this island from friends who have visited it. It really upgrades an otherwise basic New York apartment kitchen. Part of that is due to the simple white-finished cabinetry and warm honey-colored wood top. Although the stainless steel burpules and knobs look modern, this piece feels traditional enough to work well in my eclectic space. In my opinion, it really has a chameleon-like style and can be suitable for a variety of spaces.
If you're looking for a kitchen item that looks chic and is functional without breaking the bank, this is it. Remember, you can also swap out the hardware to make it look more custom. In fact, this might be my next DIY project.
