The Once Dated Kitchen Island Alternative That's Making A Hot Comeback In Homes

If you find yourself constantly short on space in the kitchen, you might have adopted a kitchen island to increase the amount of surface area available for prepping ingredients and meals. But there's a previously dated trend that is making a comeback in homes, and it has a different look than your traditional island. What is that older trend, you ask? The cook's table, which is something that you're probably more used to seeing in pictures of rustic European kitchens, is now making a resurgence in the modern kitchen and potentially altering the popularity of kitchen islands.

At a quick glance, there are some distinct differences between kitchen islands and cook's tables. Providing some degree of versatility in their purpose, kitchen islands are mostly useful for creating extra storage space in the kitchen (such as if your cabinet storage is lacking) and providing another surface for prepping food or even serving it up for casual gatherings. Islands often have a higher height than a normal kitchen counter, making them a great spot to pull up a barstool. 

Cook's tables, on the other hand, create a more relaxed atmosphere that promotes sit-down meals, in addition to a surface for placing ingredients upon. Although islands and cook's tables have different appearances, there are clear strengths and weaknesses of the latter that you'll want to take into consideration before committing to swapping your kitchen island out.

It can't be denied — there's an old-world charm of cook's tables that kitchen islands might lack. There's something appealing about a space in the middle of the kitchen that promotes communal dining and is less oriented toward productive meal prep and the extra storage of pots, pans, and appliances. One of the definite pros of a cook's table is that it does provide some extra space for placing ingredients in a practical or aesthetically pleasing way. It can also serve as a surface for plating meals if you have a formal dining room. For smaller homes, a cook's table is the ultimate eat-in kitchen, allowing the home chef a seamless transition from cooking to serving up their culinary creations to friends and family. Finally, cook's tables are easier to move than kitchen islands, making them better for individuals who don't want to commit to a permanent fixture.

For all of its pros, however, the biggest con of a cook's table might be significant enough to sway some individuals from adopting one. Cook's tables generally might have a couple of drawers on them, which can provide space for storing small items, like cookbooks, cloth napkins, or utensils. But unlike an island, it will lack huge cabinets, making the cook's table less wonderful if you're craving more storage space. If your deepest desire is to have drawers and cabinets galore for storage, as well as a large surface for food prep, a cook's table might not be the right choice for you. If you choose to go with a kitchen island, avoid making these design mistakes.