Easy to Build Bergen Kitchen Island

A Beautiful Catalog Knockoff for the Kitchen

This kitchen island is pretty amazing! It is just a tad over 6 feet in length, features six drawers and room on the opposite side for barstools! There is also shelf space under the drawers. The plans to build a Bergen kitchen island are inspired by a piece from Ballard Designs, and are suitable for all skill levels.

The top on this island can be made in so many ways… A custom granite or Corian top can be purchased, or you could make your own with a sheet of plywood and Formica.

Materials:

• 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws
• 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws
• 1-1/4″ screws (to attach the drawer fronts to the boxes)
• 2″ screws (to attach the top)
• 1-1/4″ brad nails (to attach the drawer bottoms to the boxes)
• Edge banding, optional (<– affiliate link!)
• Six sets of 14″ drawer slides (<– affiliate link!)
• Six drawer knobs or pulls
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (80, 120, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies

Lumber:

• 12 – 2×2 at 8′
• 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 4′ x 4′
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 4′ x 8′

Cut List:

• 4 – 2×2 at 34-1/2″ – Side Frame Legs
• 4 – 2×2 at 28-1/4″ – Side Frames
• 2 – 2×2 at 27-1/2″ – Side Frames
• 6 – 2×2 at 68-1/2″ – Front, Center and Rear Stretchers
• 2 – 2×2 at 13-1/2″ – Front Frame
• 2 – 2×2 at 22″ – Front Frame
• 1 – 2×2 at 21-1/2″ – Front Frame
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 14-1/8″ x 27-1/2″ – Sides
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 14-1/8″ x 68-1/2″ – Shelf
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 15″ x 68-1/2″ – Divider
• 4 – 2×2 at 14-1/8″ – Drawer Slide Supports
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 32-1/4″ x 72-1/2″ – Top
• 12 – 3/4″ plywood at 5″ x 14″ – Drawer Box Sides
• 8 – 3/4″ plywood at 5″ x 19-1/2″ – Outer Drawer Box Front & Back
• 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 19″ – Center Drawer Box Front & Back
• 4 – 1/4″ plywood at 14″ x 19-1/2″ – Outer Drawer Box Bottom
• 2 – 1/4″ plywood at 14″ x 19″ – Center Drawer Box Bottom
• 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-3/4″ x 21-3/4″ – Outer Drawer Fronts
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-3/4″ x 21-1/4″ – Center Drawer Fronts

Notes About the Project:

• Sand all pieces prior to assembly
• Be prepared to drill a LOT of pocket holes (but it’s fun, right?)

Step One

Cut the pieces for the side frames. With the pocket hole jig set for 1-1/2″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the framing pieces except for the 34-1/2″ pieces (they are the legs). Assemble the side frames as shown using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the front frame, and the center and rear stretchers. Drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure the longer stretchers for the front frame to the sides first using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws, then secure the remaining pieces.

Next, secure the center stretchers as shown, then secure the rear stretcher.

Step Three

Cut the piece for the sides. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes along all four edges of the side pieces. Secure the side pieces into the side frame using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws. The back face of the side pieces should be flush with the inside faces of the framing.

Step Four

Cut the piece for the shelf and drill pocket holes around all four edges. Secure the shelf to the lower front and center stretchers using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws. The top face should be flush with the top face of the lower stretchers.

Step Five

Cut the piece for the center divider. Drill pocket holes in one long edge as well as each short edge. Secure the divider to the upper center stretcher as well as the center vertical piece on the side frames using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screw. The pocket holes will face the front frame, and this face will be flush with the stretcher above.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the drawer slide supports. Set the pocket hole jig for 1-1/2″ material and drill pocket holes in each end of each piece. Secure the supports to the front frame as shown using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. Secure the rear portion of the supports to the divider using 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws (use the shorter screws so they don’t pop through the divider).

 

If purchasing a custom countertop, finish the island as desired.

Step Seven

This step is totally optional! Cut the piece for the top. Apply edge banding on all of the exposed edges. The top will overhang by 1/2″ on all sides. Secure the top using 2″ screws through the upper stretchers into the underside of the top.

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes in each end of the front and back pieces (not the sides). Assemble the drawer boxes as shown using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Cut the pieces for the drawer box bottoms and secure to the bottom of the drawer boxes using glue and brad nails.

Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. For an easy tutorial, click here.

Step Nine

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts and apply edge banding to all edges. If the island has already been finished, finish the drawer fronts to match. Follow this tutorial for a foolproof way to install the drawer fronts!

Now that I think about it, this island would also make a really great craft table! Have questions about the plans to build a Bergen kitchen island? Leave a comment below!