People love kitchen islands. They are a part of the modern kitchen and are available in many styles. Although expensive, people love having it. On the bright side, you can craft a custom kitchen island yourself!
The kitchen island is a countertop overhang. It transcends being ideal for space as it is perfect for storage and additional seating. Kitchen islands are available in many colors and are available in various styles so you can match them with your home decor.
Do you want to style your kitchen? Well, building a kitchen island is the answer! You’ll be given instructions, but, you’ll need time and floor space.
You can use plywood. Also, you can use dimensional lumber. Every professional uses these materials. Also, you can use pre-built kitchen base cabinets. These are building blocks.
The cabinets are already in the dimensions. So you don’t need to cut. These cabinets have polishing and also look cleaner. It is a simple project that can be built in a day with a little research help.
1. Features Of A Kitchen Cabinet
The kitchen island is like a counter. It’s a freestanding furniture piece built in the kitchen’s middle.
A kitchen island makes the kitchen look big, giving it an additional workspace. Also, it offers extra storage, making it very versatile. The kitchen island has many other functions, making it the right choice for the modern kitchen aesthetic.
Kitchen cabinets are popular and come in many shapes and sizes, giving room for choices. Choosing the best islands depends on the kitchen layout and needs. It would help if you had only basic tools.
You can build a small or large island with all the necessary features. These features increase kitchen appeal. Let’s see the kitchen island’s features…
1.1. Countertop
The kitchen island top is the countertop. It is the main part of the island. It is used for food preparation or cooking. It may also have seating as it can be used as a dining table or for serving.
You may keep some kitchen materials on the countertop, emphasizing its versatility. Materials available for countertops are quartz, granite, butcher block and solid surface materials.
1.2. Seating
This is an amazing feature! People have separate dining tables, which makes the room small. What can you do about it? The kitchen island serves as a table. So you can place seats, and overhangs for more beauty.
Some islands have extensions. You may use them for barstools. Also, you can add chairs and keep them around the table so it becomes a gathering area or a casual dining room, which is ideal for small families.
1.3. Storage
Kitchen islands have many cabinets, drawers, and open shelves that stay below the countertop. You may build them or purchase them.
The storage feature is why most people love kitchen islands. You can store cookware, utensils and tools. Also, you can store small appliances and pantry items, making it a smart storage option. It saves a lot of space, and the kitchen looks organized.
1.4. Appliances
The countertop, seating and storage features are good enough, but the kitchen island comes with more. It may come with appliances. These are built-in tools, such as sinks, dishwashers, and cooktops.
Some islands have ovens and microwaves. It makes it much more than cabinets. It saves money and space; it increases functionality and organization.
1.5. Electrical Outlets
Some kitchen islands have outlets. These are electrical islands. They are usually over the islands, but some are attached to the kitchen islands.
These electrical outlets are for small appliances such as blenders and mixers. Also, it is for charging devices.
1.6. Element Of Design
This feature contributes to the overall aesthetics of the kitchen. A kitchen island, in general, makes the kitchen beautiful.
The kitchen island is a great element. You can customize it to suit your style and match the kitchen’s interior decor.
2. Layout And Cabinets
Kitchen islands have different store setups depending on preferences. The width starts from 12 inches and finishes at 60 inches. In setting up the kitchen island, you should consider the kitchen size and the floor length. The setups are shelves and drawers.
They are open spaces. You can choose kitchen base cabinets. So, you choose endlessly. These factors form the kitchen island. The building takes one day, but you spend days planning. So, do not rush.
2.1. Base Cabinets And Two Size Cabinets
An expensive island offers a full countertop space and store areas for multipurpose functions. It comes with a 30 to 36-inch sink base, which is a wide one.
Also, it has a large opening. The base drawer cabinets are 24 inches wide. So, the total length is around 78 inches. It can also reach 84 inches. Two cabinets measure up to 24 inches each and stay next to each other.
A base cabinet is for storage. It is also called the storage cabinet. It sits on the floor as the countertop’s support. They can be found in the kitchens, laundry rooms and sometimes bathrooms.
2.2. Base Cabinets With One Sink
This option is for small kitchens and kitchens with space issues. It is ideal for tight spaces while keeping the kitchen simple. Base cabinets are about 60 inches long.
The sink is about 24 inches wide with enough space provision. Also, its price is reasonable. It has an open storage area.
2.3. Back To Back Cabinets
This is for larger kitchens that can support large and wider islands. It measures about 48 inches and has many advantages.
Let’s look at the major benefits. Both sides have storage space, so you have more space; it has a professional look, and the countertop is also large.
3. Safety Tips For Building A Kitchen Island
Building a kitchen island is exciting, yet safety is necessary. You should have safety considerations. It ensures kitchen functionality and provides your safety. Here are the safety considerations.
3.1. Traffic Flow And Clarence
The kitchen island is very large, occupying most of the kitchen space. Hence, the kitchen should have clearance, allowing easy and safe movements.
A clearance area of 3 feet is recommended. It is ideal for clearance as it provides enough space and avoids congestion. It also avoids traffic, so people move and perform functions freely.
3.2. Ventilation
Ventilation is very important. Does your kitchen island have a cooktop? Does it have a range? Hence, ventilation is necessary. You can have a downdraft system or a range hood. It is very useful.
It removes odours, smoke and grease particles. As much as it looks, a kitchen must be clean. It should have clean air. Ventilation avoids indoor air pollution and prevents fire hazards.
3.3. Electrical Outlets
Kitchen islands have electrical outlets. Do your islands have them? Do you maintain safety? It would help if you had answers to these questions. These outlets are for appliances.
The installation should have a code. Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) should protect the outlets. It is a ground fault circuit interrupter. It receives electrical shocks. So, ensure your island has them.
3.4. Clear Work Area
An island layout is necessary. It should have a property layout. Ensure that the kitchen is clean at all times. It reduces any risks.
Also, maintain different activities. It prevents cross-contamination and prevents accidents. For example, don’t keep the oven and sink close to one another.
4. Building a Custom Kitchen Island
Here are the steps. Do well to follow them properly.
4.1. Step 1
Measure the kitchen’s total area. Using a tape measure, measure the floor space. Exclude countertops, appliances, and pantries.
Don’t measure permanent items. The kitchen work area should have 42 inches. It is for larger kitchens. It is for a single-cook kitchen. The multi-cook kitchen is 48 inches.
4.2. Step 2
Start planning the kitchen island. Use the painter’s tape to outline the island cabinets. The standard overhang is about 15 inches.
You can also place a large cardboard box in the desired area. It gives a rough idea of mass. Do this before placing cabinets.
4.3. Step 3
Paint the unfinished cabinets. Yet, you can also coat them. This is done before moving it into the kitchen and is carried out in an open area.
Cover the cabinet box without painting inside areas. Also, cover every door side and drawer front, and paint the corner modelling.
4.4. Step 4
Ready-to-assemble. The cabinets have easy installation, so start assembling them. Don’t start with doors. Also, leave the shelves. It is an optional step.
4.5. Step 5
Now, place cabinets and arrange them in their proper order. So, finalize the arrangement. You can also apply the tape again. It should match the footprints.
4.6. Step 6
Attach the cabinets. Also, attach the cleats. They have hollow spaces. So, measure the hollow space. Do it from the back and front. Now cut 2/4 of these dimensions. Lay these pieces flat.
Also, screw them into the floor using 3-inch screws. Keep the cabinet width in mind. Don’t place cleats over the line. They will be half an inch inward.
4.7. Step 7
Rest the parts on the floor. Using C clamps, now attach the sides. The cabinets should be straight and have equal levelling.
Raise the cabinets if they are even. Also, you can shim them under. Apply gentle tapping. You can use a hammer. Also, you can use two-by-four scrap.
4.8. Step 8
Now, lay cabinets on the kitchen floor. Let it rest on the footprints. Drill holes in the cabinets and the cleats.
Now, avoid baseboard moulding. That’s why using a countersink bit is necessary. Drill two screws in the front. Also, drill two in the back.
4.9. Step 9
Now, maintain cabinet levels. Drill a pilot hole of ⅛ inch. They should be inside. They can either be above the door hinge or below them. Now, use a countersink bit.
It accommodates the head of the screws. Now, have a 2-½ screw. Drill them to two adjacent cabinets. Yet, don’t drill from the side panel. Pass it from the top edge of the face frame. It offers more strength.
4.10. Step 10
Now, take a hand miter saw. Also, cut extra shim parts. These parts are exposed. Also, work carefully. Don’t cut the food or cabinets.
4.11. Step 11
Don’t cut the end panels. Apply adhesive on every panel. Now, attach the side panels. Place them on the kitchen island side.
So, use Brad Nailer. Also, use a ¾ ich brad. It works on the edges. So, be careful. Don’t place it over the cabinets.
4.12. Step 12
Now, place a shiplap. Install it in the island’s back. Use electric naler and brad. Start with the shiplap’s first row.
So, be careful while placing it. Don’t harm the cabinet. The floor and shiplap bottom should have ¼ inch space. Now, start from the bottom and finish your way upwards.
4.13. Step 13
Rest the baseboard moulding. Could you put it in the island’s front? Mark point on the moulding’s end. Now, use an electric mitre saw.
Also, cut the moldings at 45 degrees. Now, take ⅝ inch brad nails. Place moldings by using the pins. Also, repeat this process on the other side.
4.14. Step 14
Measure the vertical distance. It is between the baseboard’s top and the island’s top. Now, cut two wood sections. Also, take ¾ inch brads. So, nail corner mouldings are placed in the back corner.
4.15. Step 15
Now, install the kitchen island cabinet door handles and drawers. Ensure the fixture’s the same height.
4.16. Step 16
Now, assemble the shelves. Use pegs to complete the process.
5. Key Note
Now you know how to build a kitchen island! Ensure to follow the safety tips. So, go ahead and start building the DIY kitchen island now!
Last Updated on by Arnab