Quck answer
Building a kitchen island with stock cabinets is a cost-effective and relatively easy way to add functionality and style to your kitchen. Here is a step-by-step guide:
1. Measure the space: Determine the dimensions for your island and ensure it will fit properly in your kitchen.
2. Choose your cabinets: Select stock cabinets that match your kitchen’s style and measurements. Consider the layout and functionality you want.
3. Prepare the cabinets: Remove any doors, drawers, or hardware from the cabinets. Sand and paint or stain them to your desired finish.
4. Assemble the island: Secure the cabinets together using screws and brackets. Use a level to ensure they are straight and stable.
5. Install a countertop: Measure and cut your chosen countertop material to fit the cabinets. Attach it securely using adhesive or screws.
6. Add finishing touches: Install any additional features such as a sink, faucet, or electrical outlets. Install decorative molding or trim to enhance the appearance.
7. Enjoy your new kitchen island: Once everything is in place, step back and admire your DIY kitchen island. It provides extra storage, workspace, and a focal point for your kitchen.
Building custom kitchen islands can be expensive when hiring professionals, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, you can create a fully functional kitchen island using just two stock cabinets, a countertop, and some basic lumber. The key is to choose the right cabinets and countertop material that can be easily modified to fit your needs.
Designing Your Kitchen Island
The simplest design for a DIY island involves placing two kitchen base cabinets back to back and adding a continuous countertop on top. Before purchasing the cabinets, consider the type and size of countertop material you prefer.
Stock base cabinets are typically 24 inches deep and come in various widths ranging from 12 to 48 inches. By placing them back to back, you can create an island that is 48 inches long, with the width determined by the cabinet size you choose. To simplify the project, opt for cabinets with finished side panels on both sides. If your cabinets have unfinished sides, you will need to cover them with plywood that matches the cabinet wood.
For example, if you have two 30-inch-wide cabinets, your island base would measure 30 by 48 inches. Countertops should always overhang the cabinets by at least 1/2 inch on the sides and about 3/4 inch at the front where the doors or drawers are located. In this case, you will need a countertop that is at least 31 x 49 1/2 inches. You can have a larger overhang if desired, but the counter should extend beyond the cabinet doors by at least 1/2 inch to prevent drips from falling onto the door faces. Keep in mind that cabinet sizes may vary, so it’s important to measure the cabinets or obtain accurate dimensions from the manufacturer before determining the countertop size.
One of the best countertop materials for an island is butcher block, which is available in widths up to 36 inches and various lengths, providing enough material for a sizable DIY island. Butcher block can be easily cut to the desired size. If you prefer to fabricate your own countertop, plastic laminate and solid-surface materials like Corian are DIY-friendly options. These materials can be built using a particleboard base topped with the countertop material. Both laminate and solid-surface can be cut using standard woodworking tools, and if you construct the top as one piece, you won’t have to deal with the complexity of fusing or seaming multiple countertop sections.
Image Credit:
Hunker in Partnership With Acme Real Estate
Items You Will Need
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Two kitchen base cabinets
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Wood glue
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Clamps
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Drill-driver and screwdriver bits
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Drill bits for pilot holes
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Wood screws
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8-foot-long 2×4 board
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Tape measure
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Pencil
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Circular saw
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Trim-head wood screws
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Butcher block countertop slab
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Sandpaper—80-, 100-, 150-, and 220-grit (as needed)
Instructions for Constructing a Kitchen Island
Step 1: Connecting the Cabinets
To accurately measure the dimensions for the base cleats that will be installed on the floor, attach the cabinets together back to back.
- Place the cabinets on a flat surface.
- Apply wood glue along the top, bottom, and side edges on the backside of one cabinet.
- Align the cabinets together so that their sides and tops are perfectly matched.
- Secure the cabinets together at the top using clamps.
- Drill pilot holes and fasten the cabinets together with wood screws approximately 3/4 inch below the top edges.
- Carefully tilt the assembly onto one side, ensuring that the sides are properly aligned. Clamp the cabinets together and screw them together about 1 to 2 inches from the bottom edges. Allow the glue to dry overnight.
Step 2: Installing the Floor Cleats
The floor cleats consist of two 2 x 4 boards that are attached to the floor. These cleats will support the base cabinets and secure the island to the floor. Take care to use a straight board for the cleats and ensure accurate positioning during installation.
- Measure the width of each cabinet inside its base. This measurement will determine the length of the cleats.
- Cut two cleats to the determined length from 2 x 4 lumber, using a circular saw or miter saw.
- Determine the thickness of the side walls and toe-kicks of the cabinets.
- Place the cabinet assembly (the island base) right side up on the kitchen floor and position it precisely where it will be installed. Use a pencil to trace along the four corners of the island onto the floor. Remove the island.
- Measure in from the traced lines, using the measurements for the side and toe-kick thickness, and mark the floor.
- Position each cleat on the marked placement lines.
- Drill pilot holes and attach the cleats to the floor using wood screws. Drive the screws through the finish flooring and into the subfloor.
Warning
Ensure that there are no pipes or wiring in the floor cavities where the cleat screws will come through. For safety, use screws that will only penetrate the subfloor.
Step 3: Installing the Island Base
Place the island over the cleats and secure it with trim-head screws, which have smaller heads that are less noticeable than standard wood screws.
- Fit the island over the two cleats so that the cabinets are level with the floor.
- Confirm that the island is positioned on the original traced lines at each corner.
- Drill pilot holes and fasten through the toe-kick of each cabinet and into the cleat behind using trim-head screws. Drive the screws slightly below the surface of the wood.
Step 4: Preparing the Countertop
Determine the desired overhang of the countertop, considering both aesthetics and functionality. The overhang does not have to be the same on all sides. It may be helpful to experiment with different depths of overhang using scrap countertop material or the countertop blank before making any cuts.
- Start by measuring the dimensions of the top of the island base and add the desired overhang for the width and length of the countertop.
- Using a circular saw, cut the countertop to the desired dimensions.
- To smooth and round the edges and corners, sand the cut edge to remove any saw marks. Begin with coarse sandpaper and switch to finer grits as needed for the desired smoothness.
- If desired, sand the top surface of the countertop as well.
Helpful Tip
To ensure a straight cut and minimize splintering along the cut edge, clamp a straightedge or a straight board to the countertop blank as a guide for your circular saw.
Step 5: Installing the Countertop
Wood or wood-base countertops are typically secured with screws and not glued to the cabinets. Use screws of the appropriate length to provide a secure grip without the risk of poking up through the countertop surface. The cabinets have wood blocks or plastic fittings at their top corners and edges to secure the countertop with screws.
- Place the countertop onto the island and position it according to your plan.
- Measure from the outside edges of the countertop to the faces of the cabinets to ensure that the countertop is parallel to the sides and front/back of the island.
- From inside the base cabinets, drill pilot holes and insert wood screws (not trim-head screws) through the cabinet mounting blocks into the bottom of the countertop.
