Build Custom Cabinet Island for Kitchen

Adding a kitchen island made from cabinets can be a great way to customize your cooking space while gaining valuable counter area and storage. DIY cabinet islands allow creativity in design and materials within most budgets. With some planning and elbow grease, you can build the perfect island to suit your needs.

From extra seating to more prep room, a kitchen island opens up possibilities. Read on to explore the benefits of constructing your own cabinet island and tips for executing this useful upgrade.

Benefits of a DIY Kitchen Cabinet Island

Purchasing a ready-made kitchen island can be pricey, especially for larger, higher-quality pieces. Opting to build your own using stock or repurposed cabinets allows for more affordability while still gaining stellar features.

Adds Storage and Prep Space

Even the most spacious kitchens often lack sufficient storage and countertop real estate. An island provides the perfect opportunity to add both without major remodeling. Use drawer bases and door cabinets to house cookware, small appliances, cutlery and more. The countertop doubles your prep and serving area.

Customize to Your Style and Layout

Pre-fabricated islands limit you to whatever sizes and finishes are available. But when you DIY with cabinets, the options explode. Mix and match cabinet door styles like Shaker, inset or flat panel. Stain or paint the boxes and frames to complement your existing kitchen cabinetry. Size the island to perfectly fit the room and traffic flow.

Cost-Effective Kitchen Upgrade

Purchasing high-quality cabinets, countertop and hardware for an island still costs just a fraction of a pre-made island, especially when factoring in labor fees for installation and delivery. Even using all new materials, you can save thousands. Salvaging old cabinets kicks savings into overdrive.

Planning Your Cabinet Island

Building a kitchen island is no small feat, but careful planning sets you up for success. Following essential preliminary steps helps the rest of the project go smoothly.

Measure Available Space in Kitchen

Consider where you want to locate your island and measure that area. Remember to leave sufficient clearance on all sides for comfortable movement and appliance operation. A good rule of thumb is a minimum 36-inch circumference on all sides. Jot down accurate room dimensions for sizing cabinets and countertops.

Design Cabinet Layout and Features

Next, map out your cabinets. Standard kitchen base cabinets are 24-inches deep and 34 1/2-inches tall. Common widths are 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36-inches. Draw your layout complete with doors, drawers and dimensions. Determine needs for plumbing, electrical, seating and storage. Include overhang space for the countertop.

Choose Cabinet Boxes and Doors

Now select cabinet components. Repurposed cabinets save money. For new boxes focus on durable plywood construction and strong joinery. Choose cabinet door styles and finishes that match or complement your existing kitchen. Sturdy soft-closing hinges smoothly open and close doors.

Select Countertop Material

Countless countertop options exist like granite, quartz and laminate. Butcher block, a thick slab of wood, is a nice choice for islands. It's heat and scratch-resistant, adding rustic style. Just seal and maintain it properly. Coordinate your counter finish and edges to complete the custom look.

Building the Cabinet Boxes

With planning finished, it's time for construction. Building cabinets requires precise cuts and seamless joins. Take things slowly and double check measurements at each step. Having another set of hands helps immensely as well.

Cut Panels to Size

Cut cabinet side, top and bottom panels to specifications using a circular saw. Cut shelving pieces. Sand cut edges smooth to remove splinters and sharp points. Carefully join all panels and shelves using wood glue and screws or a nail gun for strong rigidity.

Join Sides, Top, Bottom and Back

Connect the precut panels to assemble basic boxes, inserting shelving as you go. Usually you'll stand two base units side-by-side since most kitchen islands utilize two cabinets. Screw boxes together tightly. Attach back panels last before adding face frames.

Add Face Frames and Trim

Face frames give cabinets a polished, finished look once doors mount. Frames surround the cabinet front, typically using 1x2 or 1x3 lumber. Cut frames to size and anchor using finishing nails and glue. Nail on desired trim pieces too like base shoe trim along the bottom edges.

Attach Doors and Handles

Mount hinges to door rear edges at appropriate intervals. For ease choose self-closing hinges with adjustable tension and positions. Establish proper reveal then screw hinges into cabinet face frames. Install handles or knobs to finish off the custom cabinetry island look.

Installing the Countertop

With the structural base built, selecting and securing your countertop is next. Be sure to protect surfaces and follow all manufacturer instructions on products used for best results.

Confirm Measurements

Re-check your island countertop measurements, including overhang space planned. Overhangs typically range from 10 to 16 inches. Buy sufficient countertop material for your custom island requirements as you normally cannot return custom sized pieces.

Cut Countertop to Fit

To achieve tight seamless fits, always complete final sizing cuts with the countertop situated on the cabinet island itself. Use a circular saw and straight 2 x 4 guide board. Follow cut lines drawn based on confirmed measurements. Make sink, faucet and appliance cutouts now too.

Secure to Cabinet Boxes

Apply clear silicone adhesive to cabinet tops where countertop sits. Carefully lower and position the countertop into place, aligning edges cleanly to cabinet fronts. Fasten securely from beneath using slotted angle brackets and screw bolts through counter underside into face frames.

Seal Seams and Edges

Fill any slight countertop gaps with silicone sealant for smooth finisher look. Apply edge banding guards to help prevent damage or chipping along exposed perimeter areas. Anchor finished butcher block using protective water-resistant sealant too.

Integrating the Island into Your Kitchen

With construction and countertop installation done, integrating, decorating and using the island completes your upgrade. Now put the custom centerpiece stylishly to work.

Position Island and Level

Carefully move and situate the finished island in the planned location. Confirm sufficient clearance remains for traffic flow and appliances. Use shims beneath island legs to level everything appropriately based on flooring.

Connect Electric and Plumbing (if needed)

If including electrical features now is the time for connections. Hook up undercabinet lighting wiring or outlets intended inside the island box. Running new electric lines often requires an electrician. For any sink or appliance plumbing, hire a plumber to tap into existing kitchen lines.

Style with Lighting and Decor

Customize your one-of-a-kind island with decorative details. Incorporate design elements like bead board trim or ceramic tile. Install pendant lighting fixtures to brighten meal prep areas handsomely. Style open shelving to showcase pretty cookware displays or herbs.

Maintaining Your DIY Cabinet Island

Protect your investment with proper care. Establish routine cleaning for island and clearance for floors beneath. Address minor repairs promptly and check for loose connections or cracks annually to keep island intact for years of use.

Clean and Protect Countertop

Follow manufacturer guidance on countertop cleaning and avoid abrasives. Reapply protective sealants when they wear. For wood counters resealing every six months maintains moisture resistance and beauty. Promptly clean spills to prevent stains or damage.