Ways to create your own kitchen island

When considering the layout of your new kitchen design, you may want to think about including a kitchen island. Islands are an ideal way to add some extra counter space and increase storage, and they’re an easy place to congregate if you’re having guests over. What’s great about adding an island is that it can be done fairly easily – you can do it with or without a total kitchen overhaul. Take a look at these tips for creating your own kitchen island:

Do it yourself
You can easily adapt any number of household items to create a kitchen island by altering them slightly. Some easy kitchen island DIY projects that don’t involve a full kitchen remodel include:

• A dresser: First, find a dresser that’s tall enough to match the height of your other counters – industry standard for the height between floor and countertops is 36 inches. Attach a countertop of your choice so that it extends past the back of the dresser if you want to put stools at the island.
• Shelves: Attach a pair of shelves to two ends of a tabletop or countertop, facing outward. You can use the room under the island between the shelves to hide stools until your guests come over, and the shelves are great for extra storage.
• A high-top table: Perfect for smaller kitchens, a high-top table (one that matches your counter’s height) adds a little extra counter space without being overly bulky or in the way. Keep stools handy, and set them around the island when guests come over.

Consider the countertop
If you’re designing or making your own kitchen island, consider what countertop would suit your needs best. Many people prefer matching the island’s top to their current counters so it blends into the kitchen style, but there are several other options. A great idea is to use a large butcher block, which doubles as countertop and cutting board. For a more industrial look people sometimes use metal countertops, which are easy to maintain. Match the metal with your chrome, steel or brass kitchen faucet to keep your space cohesive.

Put it on wheels
If you’re using a table or other smaller item for a kitchen island, you may like the idea of putting it on wheels. A wheeled island that moves easily makes the kitchen a much more versatile space – you can tuck the island out of the way or move it around depending on your needs.

Install a permanent island
If you’re completely remodeling, you may want to consider incorporating a permanent kitchen island into your design. Permanent islands are great because they’re a little bit more adaptable to your needs. For instance, you can move your sink to the island to make more counter space elsewhere, or just add a second sink if you do a lot of cooking. Stainless steel kitchen sinks are very durable, and easy to install if you’re doing the project yourself.

If you’re considering installing a new kitchen island, you have several options. For smaller kitchens, a more mobile island might work better in case you need to move it out of the way; but if you have a larger kitchen, you can easily incorporate a permanent island that suits your needs.