Custom kitchen islands can be extremely expensive. You can make your own custom kitchen island using some premade shelves and a piece of butcher block. You can make this custom kitchen island to the specific size and height you need and even add some wheels to make it mobile.
You can easily turn some shelves into accustom kitchen island with seating with these few simple steps. This project will cost you a little money; so do not expect to spend less than a couple hundred dollars. This custom kitchen island project is for anyone who wants a unique kitchen island that no one else will have.
To Turn Your Shelves Into a Custom Kitchen Island with Seating You Will Need:
2 shelves (about 30 inches tall)
Butcher Block (cut to size)
Power drill
Wood Screws
Towel bars
S Hooks
Paint (optional)
Stain (optional)
Paint brushes and rollers (optional)
Sand paper or sander (optional)
Castors
Now, the first step is to find the right shelves. I find wooden or fabricated shelves tat are about 28 – 30 ices tall work best. You will need 2.
An ideal custom kitchen island is about 31 inches tall, but you can make it any height you want. You will be adding some butcher block or glass and possibly wheels and castors.
Now, if you need to change the color or look of your shelves you will need to lightly sand them. Next prime them out and then paint. Milk paint is a quick way to make any shelf, new or old, look vintage and custom. You can also rub wood gel stain or intend wood wax onto the shelves. These additions will also protect you Kitchen Island from damage and cleaning supplies.
Now, measure how wide and long you want your kitchen island to be.
Now, take these measurements to your local home improvement store. You will need to buy a piece of butcher-block cut to this size. The extra inches on the depth are to accommodate some stools. If you want though, you can always lay a piece of beveled glass on top that it’s exactly.
Now, to install the butcher block you have two options. I prefer to attach it form the inside of the tops of the shelves.
Drill four holes in the top of the shelves, 2 inch each shelf. One near each corner. Now, place you butcher block in place. Have one inch or so hanging off on every side (fronts of the shelves).
Now, from the inside of the shelves press a magic marker though the holes you drilled and make a mark onto the butcher block.
Now, use your drill to pre drill some small holes into the butcher block for your kitchen island. Do not under any circumstances drill through the butcher-block counter top.
Now, place the butcher block back onto the two shelves, which are space apart and shelves facing out, sort of like making a desk. Screw some long wood screws thought the predrilled holes you made. This ill hold your butcher block in place.
If you need legs to raise the height of your custom kitchen island to counter height install some small wood legs or finials.
Now, flip the entire vintage kitchen island over. Add your casters to the legs of the shelves if you want your kitchen island to be mobile.
Now, flip the kitchen island back over. Attach a hook to the side of the custom kitchen island. You can do this on the former sides of the shelves.
You can put cook books, pots and pans, and even basket son the shelves on the sides for extra storage. Stools should easily fit underneath the kitchen island.
Now you have a unique set of shelves turned into a great function custom kitchen island. You have added storage and function with the additional compartment storage inside and hooks on the outside.
