Plans to Build a Kitchen Island

Kitchen Island Plans with Storage

Today’s DIY plan is to build a New American Barnwood Kitchen Island, inspired by Napa Style. There are two other pieces in the collection and I will post plans in the coming weeks. This particular island is longer with two slat shelves for storage, a push-through drawer (that can be opened from either side), and a cabinet with a door on the front and back! How cool are these free kitchen island plans?

If you’d like other plans on how to build a kitchen island, use the search bar to the right to find the perfect project!

Materials:

• 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws
• 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws
• 1-1/4″ screws
• 2″ screws
• 2-1/2″ screws
• Edge banding for the plywood, if desired (<– affiliate link!)
• Two sets of hinges (<– affiliate link!)
• Cabinet pulls
• Finishing supplies

Lumber:

• 6 – 2×4 at 8′
• 1 – 2×2 at 2′
• 2 – 1×6 at 8′
• 2 – 1×4 at 8′
• 5 – 1×3 at 8′
• 2 – 4′ x 8′ sheets of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 2 – 2×4 at 50″ – Bottom Frame
• 2 – 2×4 at 22″ – Bottom Frame
• 1 – 2×4 at 15″ – Bottom Frame
• 4 – 2×4 at 35-1/4″ – Legs
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 22″ x 29-3/4″ – Cabinet Sides
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 22″ x 27″ – Bottom
• 2 – 1×4 at 28-1/2″ – Top Aprons
• 2 – 1×6 (ripped to 4″ wide) at 27″ – Top Aprons
• 2 – 1×4 at 25″ – Door Hinge
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 22″ x 27″ – Drawer Divider
• 1 – 2×4 at 22″ – Upper Slat Shelf Support
• 1 – 2×2 at 22″ – Upper Slat shelf Support
• 2 – 2×4 at 23-1/2″ – Upper Slat Shelf Supports
• 3 – 1×4 at 20-1/2″ – Top Supports
• 18 – 1×3 at 22″ – Slats
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 25″ x 57″ – Top
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 18-1/4″ x 23-1/4″ – Doors
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 20-1/2″ x 21-3/4″ – Drawer Bottom
• 2 – 1×6 at 20-1/2″ – Drawer Sides
• 2 – 1×6 at 23-1/4″ – Drawer Front & Back
• 2 – 2×4 at 25″ – Top Trim
• 2 – 2×4 at 60″ – Top Trim

Step One

If using edge banding, it will be applied to the exposed edges of the plywood before assembly.

Cut the pieces for the bottom frame. Drill pocket holes in each end of the pieces as shown in the drawing (the pocket holes in the shorter side pieces are to attach the frame to the legs). Assemble as shown using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the legs. Attach to the frame as shown using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the cabinet sides. Drill pocket holes in each end on one piece and all four edges of the other. Position on the frame as shown, the piece will pocket holes in all four edges will be positioned at the legs. Secure using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Cut the piece for the cabinet bottom. Secure to the frame using glue and countersunk 1-1/4″ screws.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the top aprons. The pieces used for the cabinet side will be wider than the pieces used on the shelf side to allow for the drawer to slide in and out without hitting the trim. Drill pocket holes in each end of the pieces (one end of the shels side pieces) and position as shown behind the legs. The cabinet side aprons will be secured to the side pieces using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws. The shelf side pieces will be secured using 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws into the cabinet side and 1-1/4″ countersunk screws into the legs.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the door hinge. These pieces are used as a place to attach the hinges for the doors. They can be installed by drilling pocket holes in each end and securing to the bottom and the apron or by using countersunk screws into the legs.

Step Seven

Cut the piece for the drawer divider. cut the notch using a jigsaw. Drill pocket holes as shown and position inside the cabinet. Secure using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the slat shelf supports. Drill pocket holes in each end of the 2×4 support and attach to the legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. The 2×2 piece will be attached using glue and 2″ countersunk screws.

Cut the pieces for the remaining slat shelf supports and drill pocket holes at each end. Secure using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Nine

Cut the pieces for the top supports and drill pocket holes at each end, as well as in one long edge of each piece to attach the top. Secure to the aprons as shown using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Ten

Cut the pieces for the slats. There will be a 3/4″ space between each slat. Secure to the frames using glue and countersunk 1-1/4″ screws.

Step Eleven

Cut the piece for the top and secure to the cabinet using 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws through the supports and cabinet pieces into the underside of the top.

Step Twelve

Cut the pieces for the drawer box. Drill pocket holes in each end of the side pieces as well as all four edges of the bottom. Assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws. There will be a 1/8″ gap around all sides of the drawer at the openings. Install a cabinet pull on each end. Apply a coat of paste wax on the bottom of the drawer as well as on the drawer divider to help the drawer slide smoothly.

Step Thirteen

Cut the pieces for the doors. Install the hinges on the doors, then attach to the hinge pieces in the cabinet. There will be a 1/8″ gap around all sides of the door openings. Install the cabinet pulls.

Step Fourteen

Cut the pieces for the trim. Install the side trim pieces first using glue and countersunk 2″ screws, then install the longer trim pieces.

Finish as desired!

Did you build this kitchen island? Please share photos! I would love to see your projects! Have questions about the plans to build a kitchen island? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2013-01-07 08:00:02.