Build a DIY Kitchen Island

A kitchen island is a piece of freestanding cabinetry placed in a kitchen to increase the space of its preparation area and maximize usable space. Thus, it adds to the storage area and seating space, making it more comfortable. Those reasons alone should be enough to convince you to build one yourself at home.

Other advantages of having a kitchen island are:

• Mobility – If you choose to and if your kitchen space allows it, you can make a movable island. A movable island provides versatility to maximize your floor space. This is very useful when it comes to preparing a big meal with several people cooking for smaller kitchens.
• Wide range of material options – The choices of materials you can use to build a kitchen island are virtually endless. Thus, making it cost-efficient.
• Added space for amenities – For larger kitchens, having a kitchen island adds up more space function space. You may put a grill or a stove and utilize it as your main cooking hub.
• Ideal for kids – For families, the island can also be a place where your children can have fun. It can serve as a place for snacking while doing homework or should they choose to participate and help you with the cooking, there is more room for them to move around.

Now that you know the gains of having a kitchen island, here is how you can do-it-yourself:

Get the room measurements, put the cabinets in position

Measure the room to locate where the island can be best placed. Find the center of the room and mark that spot. Make sure to adjust to your specific available space so you can leave room for opening drawers.

Get the first kitchen cabinet and mark its center, then match that mark with the one on the floor. Set the other cabinets and check the measurements as well. You may also put blocks of wood around under the cabinets as the base if you prefer to make the island stationary.

Attach the cabinets together

Remember that before doing this, you must check that they are level. Remove drawers for accessing the face frames for clamping. Prior to doing so, make sure that all exterior surfaces are flush. Once clamped together, pre-drill the inside of the frame with a countersink bit, then use wood screws and a cordless drill to screw the frames from top to bottom.  Continue until all face frames are tied together.

Once you are done, move to attach the cabinet at their backs. Insert spacers, make sure that they are flush to the top and back before screwing them together. Level the island unit with shims. Once leveled, score the shims with a utility knife and snap them off flush with the exterior edge of the cabinet surface.

Cut and affix beadboard panels

Measure the back of the cabinets. Use a circular saw to cut the beadboard panels with the backside up to avoid chipping the finished side. Apply a strong construction bond adhesive to the cabinets’ backs and push the beadboard in place. If necessary, use finishing nails to secure the beadboards to ensure that it does not puncture through the cabinet interiors.

Install the countertop

Pre-drill holes through the corner interior braces of the cabinets. Set the countertop in place and check the reveal on all sides. Attach the countertop using shorter screws to avoid puncturing through the particleboard and into the laminate. Put the screws through the holes you drilled on the corner braces. Only screw deep enough to close the counter to the base.

In addition, you may include also install columns on your island if you wish to connect it to your ceiling.

Building a kitchen island can be tedious, but the fact that it serves to increase your kitchen’s productivity and provide more convenience instantly outweighs that once you can use it.