When you walk into my apartment in New York, you immediately stand in the kitchen. This entryless arrangement may seem strange to those who live in larger houses, but it is quite common in small spaces in Manhattan. Fortunately, my kitchen is a pretty good size for a small apartment, but since it’s the first room I step into when I walk in, I’ve realized that I need more than just a counter top to store mail, grocery bags, and the like. I also got tired of preparing all the meals on my counter tops which are already full of various small appliances.
I decided to look on Amazon for a kitchen island that would complement the style of my space and provide a versatile surface with additional storage space. I love to entertain, so my cupboards are always full of colored glassware and serving dishes. An island with shelves and drawers would be the perfect place to store some of the extra pieces that I don’t use on a daily basis.
While browsing, I looked at a few different islands before landing on the one I bought: the Shintenchi Rolling Kitchen Island Cart. I was immediately sold on this piece for a few key reasons. First off, the $170 price tag can’t be beat, and the 15.75-inch width is also a big plus. My kitchen isn’t that wide, especially when multiple people are standing there preparing dinner, and I didn’t want the island to feel bulky or completely in the way. The island has a leaf that allows it to expand to just under 25 inches. So when I host friends, I have enough space to set up larger items like a pizza box or a cutting board.
The island comes on wheels, and I like to wheel it around the kitchen as needed. The cabinets and drawers (I chose the one double cabinet and three drawer model) proved to be incredibly useful as I placed more glassware and trays in it than I could have ever imagined. There is also a hook on the side, which is perfect for hanging kitchen towels.
Aesthetically, I got a lot of compliments on the island from friends who came; it really elevates what is otherwise a fairly basic New York apartment kitchen. That’s partly because of the simple white cabinetry and warm, honey-colored wood top. The stainless steel bar pulls and knobs look modern, but the piece feels traditional enough to work in my eclectic space. In my opinion, it’s more of a chameleon in style, making it potentially suitable for a wide range of spaces.
So if you’re looking for a functional kitchen piece that looks chic and won’t break the bank, this is it. Note that you can also swap out the hardware for a more custom look — this might actually be my next DIY project!