There are a number of extra kitchen island and cart features that can be really useful to have. Here are some of the most popular options you should consider.
Drop-leaves
Kitchen carts with drop leaves are ideal for smaller homes where space is limited. Drop leaves are sections that can be folded down and then pulled out when needed. This feature allows you to have a greater general surface area or an additional dining area, without compromising on space. Fold up the drop leaves and when your island is not in use you won't have any restrictions on moving around your kitchen.
While drop leaves are an excellent space-saving feature, bear in mind that they are not always stable enough for prepping food. So, if you really need a large prepping area, you'd be better off with a solid tabletop.
Towel bars
Towel bars are extremely useful additional features, so look out for kitchen islands with at least one.
While you can get away with hanging up your towels elsewhere, a towel bar allows your kitchen towel to dry out faster as you can lay it out flat without bunching.
It also makes for really easy access to your towel, whether you need to quickly wipe up after breakage or to grab something hot from your oven.
Spice rack
If you love using multiple different seasonings, organize and display your spice collection in an integrated spice rack.
Your kitchen island is a great place for prepping, making it ideal for keeping your spice collection neatly to hand, being central to your kitchen. Use your kitchen island spice rack to house all your go-to seasonings, just check the dimensions before you order.
Generously sized models can also be used to store bottles of vinegars and sauces.
Wine rack
While you won't want to keep all your vintage wines at your kitchen room temperature, for ready-to-drink now bottles, an in-built wine rack is a handy, space-saving solution.
If you regularly drink soft drinks, white wine or champagne, it can be a useful temporary storage place before placing them to chill in your fridge when you have more space.
Check that the dimensions are compatible with your bottle shape and style in order to get the most use out of your kitchen island wine rack.