Kitchen islands have grown in popularity since they were first introduced back in 1967, it has been claimed.Indeed, the islands have now become multi-functional units which can house cooking appliances, kitchen sinks, dining areas or storage.According to Kitchen International, incorporating an area into a design is now one of the most popular requests from those looking to upgrade a room.Paul OBrien, Kitchens International director, said Most clients want some sort of island and see it as a feature of the room, whether it is a simple division between kitchen and living area or an island that houses many of the kitchen functions.The expert adds that many homeowners feel that the kitchen island has become the sociable link between kitchen and living space.Meanwhile, kitchen designer Simon Thomas recently explained how the installation of a central kitchen island can help to make a space more functional and contemporary.