How to build a small kitchen island

This step by step diy woodworking project is about how to build a small kitchen island. If you want to learn more about building a kitchen island, we recommend you to pay attention to the instructions described in the article. There are so many desk plans and designs to choose from, so make sure you take a close look over the rest of the related woodworking projects that are featured on our website.

Before starting the actual construction project, we recommend you to plan everything, as to save money and to keep the costs under control. Adjust the size and the design of the table to suit your needs. In addition, we recommend you to invest in high-quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar, as they have a nice finish and are highly durable, especially in a humid environment.

If you don’t have a rich expertise in woodworking field, you should ask a friend to give you a hand with the project. There are many things that you could go wrong, so make sure you plan everything and invest in quality materials. Select the lumber with attention, making sure the components are perfectly straight and in a very good condition. Use a carpentry square to check if the corners are right-angled. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Building a kitchen table

Materials

A – 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 32 1/4″ long LEGS
B – 4 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 19 1/2″ long SUPPORTS
C – 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 19 1/2″x24 1/4″ long PANELS
D – 4 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 18 5/8″ long, 2 pieces – 19 1/2″ long TRIMS
E – 2 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 27″ long, 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 27″ long SUPPORTS
F – 14 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 19 1/2″ long SHELVES
G – 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 22 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 33 1/2″ long TRIMS
H – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 24″x33 1/2″ long TOP

3 pieces of 2×4 lumber – 10 ft
1 piece of 1×3 lumber – 10 ft
2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 8 ft
4 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 8 ft
1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x6′
2 1/2″ screws
1 1/4″ screws
glue, stain
wood filler
2″ caster wheels

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses, Miter saw, jigsaw
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Apply several coats of wood stain to the wooden components
Fill the holes with wood filler and smooth the surface

Time

One Day

Kitchen table plans

Building a kitchen island

Building the sides of the kitchen island

The first step of the woodworking project is to build the sides of the kitchen island. Build the frame of the sides out of 2×4 lumber. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the horizontal supports and secure them to legs. Make sure the corners are right-angled and add glue to the joints.

Fitting the side panels

Add the 3/4″ plywood to the frames, as shown in the diagram. Drill pocket holes along the sides of the plywood and secure them to the frame by inserting 1 1/4″ galvanized screws. Make sure you leave no gaps between the components and add glue to enhance the rigidity of the structure.

Fitting the trims

In order to enhance the look of the small kitchen island, we recommend you to attach 1×3 decorative trims to the exterior of the sides. Cut cut the trims at the right size and angle, before fitting them into place with 1 1/4″ finishing nails. Add glue to the joints in order to create a rigid structure.

Fitting the supports

Fit the 1×2 and 2×4 supports to the structure, as described in the diagram. Drill pilot holes through the supports, align them with attention and lock them to the structure by using 2 1/2″ screws and 1 1/4″ screws (for the 1×2 supports). Make sure the corners are square and add glue to the joints.

Fitting the shelves

Attach the 1×4 slats to the supports, as seen in the diagram. Work with attention and lock the supports into place by using 1 1/4″ screws, after pre-drilling the slats, to prevent the wood from splitting. Place the slats equally-spaced if you want to get a professional result.

Attaching the top trims

Attach the 1×2 trims to the top of the kitchen island, as described in the diagram. Secure them the trims to the frame by using 1 1/4″ screws.

Fitting the tabletop

Cut the top of the kitchen island out of 3/4″ plywood and secure it the structure in the following manner: drill pocket holes through the trims and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the top. Add waterproof glue to the joints and leave no gaps between the components.

Fitting the caster wheels

One of the last steps of the woodworking project is to attach the caster wheels to the legs of the small kitchen island. Align the caster wheels with great care and secure them into place using 1 1/4″ screws.

How to build a small kitchen island

Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let it to dry out for several hours. Afterwards, smooth the wooden surface with fine-grit sandpaper and vacuum the residues.

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