11 genius DIY kitchen island concepts and upcycling ideas

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A kitchen island not solely provides your kitchen a storage increase, however it might assist flip a kitchen right into a sociable hub, a spot for buddies or household to collect whilst you put together meals. Whether or not you wish to strive a brand new kitchen island thought, give your current one an replace, or upcycle one thing to make a brand new one, there are a variety of various DIY kitchen island concepts to strive, a lot of which may be completed in a weekend.

‘With regards to DIY kitchen islands, pondering exterior the field may end up in some really distinctive designs,’ says Kane Hughes, inside design professional at MyJobQuote. ‘You may flip classic sideboards or buffet cupboards right into a kitchen island. These may be discovered for subsequent to nothing in charity retailers and look implausible with a brand new coat of paint.’ Whether or not you’re about to dive into your first upcycling mission otherwise you’re a professional with the facility instruments, these DIY kitchen island concepts are the right option to rework your area with out spending a fortune.

DIY kitchen island concepts and upcycling ideas

1. Construct an island from reclaimed wooden

A DIY kitchen island doesn’t should be pricey, and it’s straightforward to make a breakfast bar out of reclaimed supplies. Have a look round your native reclamation yard for reclaimed scaffold boards. These space are thick and durable – excellent for a DIY kitchen island. Be sure that every plank isn’t bowed and ask for them to be minimize to measurement. Then all you’ll want to do is make your body by fixing collectively the three sides and cladding the again with horizontal boards.

It’s also possible to discover scaffold boards on eBay, or take a look at Fb Market for native bargains.

2. Tile a kitchen island

Use tiles on one aspect of your kitchen island for a straightforward option to give it a contemporary look. Select a design that comes with an accent color to tie the look to your kitchen. Alternatively, choose a daring sample so as to add curiosity to a easy color scheme.

This budget-friendly kitchen island from Ikea has been given an upscale makeover utilizing mosaic tiles in a chilled impartial shade. You might even add vintage mirrored tiles for a contemporary contact that can replicate mild across the area – preferrred for small kitchens.

3. Use reclaimed metallic containers

Add an industrial vibe to a kitchen island by storing kitchen necessities in reclaimed metallic drawers or bins. That is a straightforward method so as to add character (and helpful storage!) to a DIY kitchen island with out an enormous quantity of labor. Decide up classic metallic drawers from antiques festivals or web sites like eBay or Fb Market.

Both slot the bins or drawers right into a slim shelf, or stack them up if in case you have area. For those who’re searching for methods to organise your kitchen

4. Clad your DIY kitchen island in brick slips

Nothing beats the look of uncovered brickwork in the case of including character. Whether or not on a chimney breast or as a part of a characteristic wall, you possibly can simply apply this look to kitchen islands, too. In case your kitchen island has seen higher days, why not clad it in brick slips (skinny slices of brick that are utilized like tiles).

This straightforward replace utterly adjustments the look of an island. And if you happen to’re after a relaxed, industrial vibe in your kitchen, this one’s for you. Make it much more of a spotlight with a press release kitchen island lighting thought, like this run of three modern pendant lights over the island.

5. Upcycle outdated store cupboards

Picture credit score: Future PLC/Katie Lee

For a kitchen with the wow issue, you possibly can’t beat utilizing classic furnishings, particularly one thing like this outdated store cupboard. Not solely will it offer you buckets of storage,  One of these unit is generally fairly huge, and so it’s nice for a big open-plan kitchen area.

Flip it right into a DIY kitchen island with a sociable breakfast bar for entertaining. Merely match a size of worktop on prime with a slight overhang on one aspect.

6. Rework an upcycled merchandise with paint

‘One of many best methods to replace a picket kitchen island is to offer it a contemporary coat of paint,’ explains Michael Rolland, interiors professional and MD of The Paint Shed.

‘An island is an effective way so as to add color to the kitchen,’ he says. ‘These desirous to strive a number of the newest trending shades of their kitchen however are too nervous to decide to portray all of their cupboards can add a splash of color by portray the kitchen island as a substitute.’

For those who’re a fan of a white kitchen, otherwise you favour a extra impartial scheme, why not be daring and select a contrasting color like this vibrant yellow shade? To color a picket unit like this one (and outdated science workbench), evenly sand the floor earlier than portray. Then use a hard-wearing paint end like an eggshell. It’s hardwearing and can look good for years to return.

7. Use an outdated chest of drawers as a DIY kitchen island

Flip a classic chest of drawers into a press release DIY kitchen island. Right here, additional depth has been added by attaching a row of kitchen base models to the again floor of the chest of drawers. This doubles up on the space for storing.

Paint the drawers and the hooked up cupboards to match in a hanging darkish shade similar to charcoal of deepest blue, then substitute outdated knobs with shiny new gold ones. High the kitchen island with modern white worktop with an overhang on the finish to create a sociable spot to sit down and chat.

8. Add a helpful bookcase

If you’ll want to increase your storage on an current kitchen island, add a small shelving unit to both finish. Then paint it in a daring shade like this vibrant blue to create a stand-out characteristic in your kitchen. High with a single piece of worktop for a flush end, and use the cabinets to retailer your favorite recipe books.

Alternatively use glass jars to retailer dry substances and line these up on the cabinets. Then you definitely’re able to whip up your subsequent show-stopping bake!

9. Create a transportable island

Look out for classic tables, particularly ones with a low shelf, that are excellent for storing pots and pans. Add a set of castors to every of the legs to extend the peak – this’ll make it a greater stage for prepping meals. This intelligent upcycling tip additionally makes the desk an important transportable kitchen island thought, as it might simply be moved round relying in your wants.

You may flip it from lunchtime vegetable prep station to a night cocktail bar in a flash. Or, if you happen to’re something like us, you’ll wish to wheel it to at least one aspect to create space in your kitchen disco!

10. Revamp a butcher’s block

For a small kitchen island thought, look out for a secondhand butcher’s block to offer you a much-needed bit of additional prep area. A decrease shelf is good for storing pots and pans and you’ll connect a wall-mounted hanging rail to at least one aspect for tea towels and kitchen utensils. Go away the picket end pure for a traditional nation look that can add curiosity subsequent to lighter kitchen cupboards.

11. Slot in a helpful log retailer

Picture credit score: Future PLC/Colin Poole

You probably have a wood-burning range at house, incorporate a log retailer into one aspect of your kitchen island so you possibly can maintain logs dry indoors. Superb for a country-style kitchen, add a shelf to your island or go away a base cupboard with no door so you possibly can simply pile up logs inside.

What can I repurpose for a kitchen island?

The reply is sort of something! The principle factor to recollect when upcycling one thing for a DIY kitchen island is to ensure it’s the proper peak. Round 90cm is an effective working peak. Any decrease and also you’ll be bending over awkwardly when prepping meals. Any taller and it will likely be an uncomfortable floor to work at.

Some nice gadgets to show right into a DIY kitchen island embody:

• Classic butcher’s blocks
• Chest of drawers
• Previous store cupboards
• Slimline console tables
• Metallic cupboards
• Classic tables
• Dressing tables

Can I make a DIY kitchen island out of base cupboards?

Completely. This can be a wonderful means of making a bespoke DIY kitchen island. You might use base cupboards with out doorways for an open shelving look, or select doorways in a unique colourway to your foremost cupboards to make the island a focus.

A single row of base cupboards is good for a slimline design, whereas two rows of cupboards dealing with away from one another will provide you with much more storage, however you’ll want an even bigger area to do it.

What sort of paint do you have to use for a kitchen island?

The perfect paint for kitchen cupboards will depend upon the end you wish to obtain. In case your kitchen cupboards are made from wooden, an eggshell paint with a lightweight sheen is an effective selection.

Gloss paint will create a excessive sheen, which works nicely for a contemporary scheme, whereas chalk or furnishings paint is a good suggestion for a rustic look, however it can want sealing afterwards with a lacquer or wax to maintain the end in prime situation.

For those who’re portray a laminated kitchen floor, look out for a multi-surface paint. Be sure you learn up on methods to paint kitchen cupboards earlier than getting began.