Need a little extra storage space in your kitchen?
This DIY kitchen island/ kitchen console can provide extra seating space as well as storage and is a very simple build.
My friend needed a bit more workspace and a lot more storage in his small kitchen. But, and like most of us, there just wasn’t space for a centre island – the only available space to add any storage to his kitchen was against the wall.
I started this build by looking for a countertop that would fit the space – in this case it had to be less than 5′ long. You can buy countertops from Home Improvement stores, but I lucked out and found the perfect length, and almost the perfect colour on Kijiji.
Once I had the counter, the rest fell into place pretty easily.
DIY kitchen island
*below are affiliate links to products I use and recommend. For full affiliate disclosure, please see sidebar or bottom of the page.
- 2 1/2″ pocket screws
- wood glue
- clamps
- pocket hole jig and drill bit
- drill
- brad nailer
or hammer and 1 ¼” finishing nails
- mitre saw
- planer
– can be made without, just gives it a better finish
- random orbit sander
and 60, 120 and 220 grit sandpaper
- primer
- paint
or hammer and 1 ¼” finishing nails
– can be made without, just gives it a better finish
and 60, 120 and 220 grit sandpaper
Wood:
- (6) 2″ x 4″ x 8′ boards
- (1) 2″ x 4″ x 6′ board
- (2) 1″ x 4″ x 8″ boards. (select wood is better here)
Cut list:
- (8) 2″ x 4″ cut to 34 ¾” LEGS (I cut these slightly longer and then trimmed them down after glue-up)
- (3) 2″ x 4″ cut to 43″ LONG BRACES
- (1) 2″ x 4″ cut to 45″ LOWER SHELF
- (4) 2″ x 4″ cut to 14″ SHORT BRACES
- (~15) 1″ x 4″ cut to 10 3/8″ SLAT SHELF
Step 1
Plane your ~34 ¾” legs (or cut with a table saw) to remove rounded edges.
Glue pairs of boards together and clamp tightly until cured.
If you cut your boards slightly longer than 34 ¾”, cut to length now.
Step 2
Run your laminated legs through the planer or table saw until they are 3 ¼” square.
Step 3
Set your pocket hole jig to 2 ½” depth, set the bit collar it to 2 ½”. Using a pocket hole jig, drill holes in either end of your 43″ (LONG BRACE) boards.
Attach the long braces to your legs with wood glue and 2 ½” pocket screws. Note: the back braces can be flush with the back of the legs as this will sit against a wall. The front long brace should be inset 1″ from the front of the front legs.
Step 4
With the pocket hole jig at the same settings, drill pocket holes into either end of your 14″ (short braces).
Attach, with 1″ insets, to your legs to create the base frame using wood glue and 2 ½” pocket screws. I placed the lower short braces up 2″ from the ground.
Step 5
Drill pocket holes (at the same setting) into either end of your 45″ board (LOWER SHELF). Space the lower shelf so that it is 10 3/8″ total spacing from the back lower brace. Attach to the short braces with wood glue and 2 ½” pocket screws.
I set the shelf at half the depth of the DIY kitchen island. This spacing allows for stools to be pulled up to create a small eating bar while still providing a storage shelf underneath.
Step 6
Starting in the dead centre of your bottom shelf, attach your shelf slats outwards towards the edges. Your edge pieces will need to be notched with a jigsaw depending on your spacing. These we attached with a brad nailer and 1 ¼” finishing nails.
Step 7
Fill your visible pocket holes with pocket hole dowels (if you wish) and sand smooth.
Sand your entire DIY kitchen island with 60 grit sandpaper and your random orbit sander. Go over a second time with 120 grit sandpaper and 220 grit on edges that will be touched a lot.
Step 8
Prime your entire piece, front back and sides. Sand smooth with 320 grit sandpaper once completely dry.
Step 9
Apply 2 coats of paint – I went with Benjamin Moore’s Advance formula for it’s hardening properties.
All done!
The Kijiji-find counter is heavy enough to just sit on top of he kitchen console and allows for a 1 ½” overhang on the front and sides. You can’t lift it by the countertop, but it isn’t moving while sitting on top.
The half-depth shelf is perfect for holding blenders, food processors, cutting boards and other small appliances or pots, but still leaves enough room to sit at the island to eat, or to tuck a garbage can or pet food dishes in front.
I should have added a towel bar to the front or side of the DIY kitchen console, but it can always be attached later.
For now, this small kitchen has a new workspace, storage area and seating spot in one small footprint.
I’m not going to show you how full it is IRL – but trust me when I say every square inch of this DIY kitchen island is being utilized to it’s fullest. lol
Go build something and have a great one!
