DIY Kitchen Island 2: Why We Did It Again

When it comes to creating a practical, beautiful kitchen space, reimagining existing furniture can be a game changer. Our pine kitchen table was intended to be extra prep space and a larger dining area for guests. But, we rarely used it for either. In fact, we’ve used it twice in the last year.. Instead of letting a great furniture piece take up real estate and become a dumping ground, we decided to repurpose it, creating a functional kitchen island. This is not our first DIY kitchen island rodeo. It’s a simple process that can be customized to fit the kitchen you aspire to have. .

Here’s why we made the switch—and why you might want to do the same.

The Benefits of a Kitchen Table Turned Island

1. Improved Functionality

The cottage kitchen does not have a great deal of prep space and, as we found out during the hosting season, it’s quite difficult when everyone wants to work near the oven. Creating a DIY kitchen island offered extra counter space for food prep, baking, and serving, all while keeping everything within reach. Adding storage beneath with shelves makes it even more practical. Below is our first table turned kitchen island. We used it every day.

2. Sustainable Design and Price

Reusing furniture you already own is both budget- and eco-friendly. You skip the cost and waste of buying a brand-new island while giving a cherished piece a fresh purpose. This island was made from thrifted legs, antique French cheeseboards for the top and pine timber for the shelf. It cost us a grand total of $270. To buy a new island in a style we like would have set us back $1500+. By reusing and using old items we save money and help the planet.

3. Customizable

We repurposed our own furniture to tailor the island to the space and our needs. The table’s height was one of the main reasons we never used it for prep (we should have remembered this from the table we turned into an island at the farmhouse). At its original height, it was too low and therefore, uncomfortable, to work at.. To fix this, we adjusted the table’s height to the standard bench height of 88-90 cm by adding feet, installed a lower shelf, and sealed the wood to blend seamlessly with our kitchen’s cottage aesthetic.
We added a lower shelf for storage of large baskets too.

How We Made a DIY Kitchen Island

Materials Needed:

• Dressed pine slats (for the lower shelf). Ours are 19mm x 42mm. We bought eleven 1.8m slats. The waste was minimal and the slats fit easily into the car.
• Hole cutter drill bit (if your table legs are round)
• Sandpaper 120 and 60 grit
• wood stain and clear matt varnish
• nails or nail gun

Steps:

1. Adjust the Height: A kitchen island needs to be taller than a standard table. We added temporary “feet” to the table legs using books to test the desired height. Once happy, we plan to add permanent furniture feet to the legs.

2. Add a Shelf:

      •   Measure the distance between the legs and cut dressed pine slats to size.

      •   Use a hole cutter to drill openings in the slats so they can slide snugly over the table legs.

      •   Secure the slats with screws to create a sturdy lower shelf for baskets and storage.

3. Prep and Seal the Wood:

      •   Sand the table surface and shelf slats to smooth any rough edges.

      •   Apply a clear matt varnish to protect the wood while maintaining its natural beauty.

The Result

Our table-turned-island is now the heart of our kitchen—a charming, practical space for cooking, gathering, and storing essentials. Additionally, the lower shelf holds baskets for linens and vegetables, while the top provides ample space for baking projects.
. This DIY project didn’t just save money; it added personality and function to our home.