Kitchen islands are a common accessory in modern kitchens. They have many functions, such as creating a much needed workspace in open spaces, to allowing people to sit and eat in the kitchen without getting in the way of the cook. Being often at the center of the kitchen, islands are very important and require careful planning that takes into account their purpose and aesthetics. You don't need to be a carpenter to build an island, but you should have basic construction knowledge and familiarity with tools. By following these instructions you will learn several methods for building and customizing a kitchen island.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Build an Island with Shelves
Step 1. Get two identical shelves
These should be about the same height as the counter or just lower. They must be sturdy and preferably deeper than standard shelves. You can paint them before proceeding if you want them to have different colors. Measure the depth and width.
Step 2. Determine the size of the counter
Decide how long the countertop should be. It should measure at least as much as the depth of the two shelves put together, plus a few inches to create the edge of the counter, but you can also insert up to one and a half meters of space between the two shelves. Then determine the width by measuring the depth of the shelves and adding a few inches for the edge.
Step 3. Buy or build the counter
Once you have the measurements, you can buy or build your counter. You can do this by buying a board of MDF (Medium Density Particleboard) or any other material of the necessary size at a home improvement store.
- Glulam is a popular option because it is inexpensive, easy to clean and suitable for use in the kitchen.
- Granite can also be an option, but as the slabs are very heavy, you need to allow for less spacing between the two shelves to make sure the stand is stable.
- If you intend to build the counter yourself from an MDF board, you can paint it to make it look more like a table; alternatively, you can laminate or tile the surface to make it suitable for food preparation.
Step 4. Secure the counter to the shelves
Place the counter on the shelves, turned with the shelves facing out, and use brackets to secure it, screwing on the edges where the wood is thickest. Put some screws underneath as well. Use screws of the appropriate length to make sure they don't protrude.
It will take more attention if you have decided to use a granite table, because you cannot screw it on. Ask your nearest home improvement store for information before proceeding
Step 5. Make the finishes you want
If you have used MDF wood you can paint it, tile it, or laminate the surface according to your needs and tastes. You can screw or glue hooks on the sides of the shelves to hang kitchen towels. Using the proper fixings you can put a bar with hooks to hang pots and pans. Always remember not to add too much weight so as not to strain the screws.
Step 6. An alternative method can be to use a piece of furniture
You can add a standard kitchen cabinet between the shelves if you want more storage space instead of legroom. This will also give the island a more solid air and you can hide the dishwasher and other appliances from view.
- The cabinet must be the same height as the shelves for the counter to rest on all three pieces. It is better to choose shelves that are slightly lower than the piece of furniture and then add some thicknesses. Furthermore, the cabinet must not be deeper than the two shelves.
- The counter, therefore, must be as long as both the shelves and the cabinet, plus a few centimeters for the edge. The width of the counter, again, will be the width of the two shelves.
- Before screwing the table together, screw the cabinet and shelves together from the inside. It is best to screw on the edges, as before, but this time on the horizontal dividers at the top and bottom, if you can reach them. Then screw the cabinet to the table from below, always paying attention to the length of the screws that must not protrude from the opposite surface.
Method 2 of 4: Use a Desk or Table
Step 1. Find the right table or desk
For this island you will need a table or desk with two flat sides to act as legs, such as the Malm desk from Ikea. You can buy such a table at a furniture store or build it from two rectangles of solid wood or thick plywood. They must be at least 5 centimeters thick.
- The first rectangle will be the work surface and must be cut to the desired size. The second rectangle will be cut in half and used to create the table legs, shortening them if they are too tall. Join these pieces together by making a 45 degree cut on both sides of the countertop and one side of the legs. Then you will need to press these corners together by coating the inside of the joint with wood glue and screwing to the side, from the legs towards the center of the countertop, in at least four places.
- Once done, you can paint or laminate the outer sides of the island as you wish.
Step 2. Get furniture and cabinets
You will need to secure various furniture and containers under the table to create usable spaces. The choice will be determined partly by the space available, as the width of the island will determine the depth of each cabinet, and partly by your needs.
- You will need to make sure that the dimensions of the furniture are equal to the width and length of the table. In addition, they must not be higher than the legs.
- Use a pair of wall units with shelves and join them together to maximize usable island space. Better if the cabinets are without dividers, so you can take the items stored on both sides.
Step 3. Secure the cabinets to the table
Screw the cabinets from the inside to secure them to the island, and also screw them together if the wood is thick enough.
Make sure to use screws that go all the way down to the middle of the wood panel, otherwise you risk creating cracks, warping or holes on the outside surface
Step 4. Add details and finish
If you want, you can paint the cabinets using the same color as the workbench or a contrasting color. You can also tile the surface, add glulam or a granite slab.
Method 3 of 4: Use a Dresser
Step 1. Get a chest of drawers
If you want to turn it into a kitchen island, it needs to be the right size. With drawers that are too long or heavy you will get a modest result. Try to find something that is roughly the same size as the area you want to occupy.
If you want to paint the chest of drawers, the good time to do it is now because after putting in the work surface it will be more complicated
Step 2. Add the legs or wheels
If the surface of the chest of drawers is too low, you can make it the desired height by adding legs (for a fixed island), wheels (to make it mobile) or using both solutions. It also evaluates the thickness of the countertop when calculating the height of the completed island.
The most suitable method for adding legs or wheels depends on the features of the chest of drawers. Consult an expert and be sure to follow the instructions provided with the wheels or legs
Step 3. Replace the back as needed
If the back of the dresser is ugly or damaged, replace it with a cut-to-size MDF or chipboard board. Carefully remove the old piece and nail the new one.
- You can make the back of the cabinet more useful by covering it with chalkboard paint - you will create a surface on which to write a grocery list with chalk or for children to play.
- Alternatively, use this space to hang hooks or bars, placing sturdy crossbars on the other side of the back panel. This way you can hang towels, oven mitts or kitchen tools.
Step 4. Replace or re-coat the countertop
To have a worktop more suitable for food preparation, you can carefully remove the top table of the cabinet and replace it with a material of your choice. If the existing surface is smooth, with straight, finished edges, it shouldn't be difficult to tile. Decide what to do based on your skills, needs and tastes.
Method 4 of 4: Use Kitchen Cabinets
Step 1. Buy some kitchen furniture
Any combination of kitchen cabinets that doesn't already have a workbench will do. This way you can combine them in the configuration you prefer, completing the work with the plan you prefer. You can buy furniture similar to what you already have in the kitchen, or different furniture to combine as you like.
Pay attention to the back and sides of the furniture. If they are not finished, you will have to do it yourself. Cover them with plywood or MDF boards which you can then paint
Step 2. Arrange the furniture in the order you prefer
You will probably have to join several pieces together. Do this by screwing in the furniture from the inside, trying to use the areas of the structure where the wood is thickest.
You can put furniture turned in the same direction, in opposite directions or, if space permits, you can put a piece of furniture on its side. It depends on the result you are looking for and how you intend to use the space
Step 3. Add a surface
Once the furniture is in place, build or buy a work surface that covers all the pieces. You can use different materials, from glulam to granite. Even a concrete slab (colored, patterned, or raw) can work just fine. It must have dimensions suitable for the furniture you have chosen; just make sure you leave a few extra inches in width and length for the edge of the counter.
Step 4. Do the finishing
Refine the island by customizing it to your liking. You can modify it to better match your style, kitchen or home. You can also add containers to maximize space on your work surface, creating more space for appliances or for preparing fantastic family meals.
- You can paint the lower sections of your new island a contrasting color to the other furniture, or you can leave them as they are. Experiment with light colors to give the kitchen a pop touch, or use shades that recall existing colors in the kitchen, such as those of fruit or a vase in plain sight.
- Add elements to the sides or back of the furniture. You can mount a paper roll holder or hooks for kitchen rags. You can put a magazine rack for recipes or cooking magazines. You can even put a container for the kitchen tools you use most. Most of these things will need to be screwed to the wood. Always make sure to fasten them in places that are thick enough to support the screw, for example on the shelf support or the main structure of the island. You can also use strong glues, suitable for hanging items.
