Islands are often a cornerstone of kitchen renovation projects, and for good reason. They add more storage space, increase the amount of worktop surface area in the room, and appeal to home buyers.

From sculleries to smart tech, designers believe these trends will shape the heart of the home in the year ahead.

Credit: Frank Garnica. Project: Urbanology. Kitchen islands used to impress us simply by existing. Big rectangle? Great. Row of stools? Lovely. Waterfall edge? Ooh, fancy. Now, the island has become ...

Islands are a mainstay of American kitchens, but what's popular for their design can change fast. In fact, there are plenty of kitchen island trends on the way out in 2026. Islands that make your ...

Three of five homeowners who renovate include a kitchen island, and over half of those islands are more than seven feet long.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Terri Williams is a journalist covering housing trends. If you plan on updating your kitchen this year, knowing the latest trends ...

It all comes down to flexibility.