Kitchen islands are command central. Playing host to everything from homework to happy hour, islands are often the most popular spot in the house as well as a stunning showcase of style.

It used to be that islands played an important role in allowing homeowners to gain more countertop for cooking, but its really taken on a whole new life in todays kitchen, said Stephanie Pierce, director of design and trends for MasterBrand Cabinets, its more about creating a focal point within the space for social and family interaction, in addition to the food prep.

Designer Denise Bosley, owner of Denise Bosley Interiors in Sierra Madre said, If homeowners can fit an island, they will have an island.

In many cases, the bigger the better.

The popularity of open floor plans has resulted in larger islands that serve as a kitchen workhorse, Grand Central for socializing and a piece of custom furniture that connects spaces and creates flow.

If an oversized island is on the wish list, however, Bosley advises clients to think it through. You have to consider things like the type of stone you want to use, said Bosley, if you do want a really large island youre going to have seams and some people dont like that.

Bosley said one 11-foot island she installed required a seam down the center to merge two slabs. You dont see it in pictures, and it becomes an afterthought then you build this big island and think, oh, boy.

Paul LEsperance, co-owner of LEsperance Design in West Hollywood said when it comes to countertops, his clients are requesting Neolith, an ultra-compact surface material manufactured by combining raw materials found in glass, porcelain and quartz under extreme heat and intense pressure.

Everybody wants the beauty of Calcutta marble, said LEsperance, but they dont want the upkeep this is selling like crazy.

Bosley agreed. People want marble, but they know its not practical for most family kitchens, she said, weve been using a lot of quartz, and a lot of new [manufactured] materials coming out that look like marble.

Upgraded islands also boast bigger sinks. Its not just a small prep sink anymore, said Bosley. People are using them to wash dishes and share during prep.

Divided sinks are out too, LEsperance said: Everybody wants the big trough, farm sinks in stainless steel or enamel.

The biggest news in islands, however, is color.

The island is a great opportunity to provide some personality with color or warmth with wood tones, so we are seeing islands being utilized a lot as an accent element.

Everybody wants to paint their cabinets right now, said LEsperance. Theres a little bit of a revolt from white so the first project people jump on is an island because its not like redoing all the cabinets.

Well do white perimeter cabinets, said Bosley, and color on the island. Navy blues, beachy shades and bold greens and blues are trending.

Blue is definitely the number one pick for kitchen accent colors this year, said Pierce, and its all shades.

Hague Blue from Farrow and Ball is beautiful, said LEsperance, you know with [inspiration from the] islands, people can go a little more wild.

For your design inspiration, we pored over our photo archives for some of our favorite kitchen islands. Enjoy!

Bonnie McCarthy contributes to the Los Angeles Times as a home and lifestyle design writer. She enjoys scouting for directional trends and reporting on whats new and next. Follow her on Twitter @ThsAmericanHome.

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Kitchen islands are getting bigger, better and more colorful than ever - Los Angeles Times