18 Great DIY Plans for Kitchen Islands

Building your own kitchen island can be a great way to add a unique focal point to your kitchen and increase your home's value. Adding extra countertop and storage space is always a plus, and it doesn't have to be overly complex. If you have some basic DIY skills, constructing your own island can often be more affordable than buying one. However, if you're planning to add appliances like a sink or dishwasher to your island, you'll need professional help to ensure everything meets code requirements.

There are many free DIY kitchen island plans available that cater to various features and design elements. These plans provide material lists and step-by-step instructions to help you build a custom island. For convenience, you can use pre-made cabinets as the base and top them with a countertop.

Size Considerations

One advantage of building a kitchen island yourself is the ability to customize its size, finish, and other features like seating arrangements. The perfect size for your kitchen island will depend on the available space and your specific needs.

Generally, an island should be at least 36 inches tall with a surface area of 2 x 4 feet. The space between the island and other cabinets should be at least 42 inches. Standard countertop overhangs are typically 1 1/2 inches. If you're planning to add stools, allow 20 to 24 inches of countertop length per stool.

Here are 18 free DIY kitchen island plans to inspire you.

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18 Great DIY Plans for Kitchen Islands

Farmhouse Kitchen Island

This large farmhouse kitchen island from Ana White is packed with storage options. It features two cupboards with shelves, open shelving, and plenty of drawer space. You could even use it as a console in your entryway or for additional storage elsewhere in your home. The free plan includes dimensions, materials, a tool list, cut list, directions, and photos.

Wood Countertop Kitchen Island

Also from Ana White, this rustic yet modern kitchen island features two shelves, large drawers, and a wood countertop. You can stain or paint it to match your kitchen's style. You can also select hardware to coordinate with your existing kitchen design.

Kitchen Island With Trash Storage

Achieve your dream of a functional kitchen island with this beautiful build from Shades of Blue Interiors. This DIY kitchen island includes open storage and a pullout bin for a trash can. It’s not only useful indoors but would also be perfect for an outdoor kitchen, ensuring a trash can is always nearby while cooking.

DIY Butcher Block Kitchen Island

Cherished Bliss designed a functional yet small kitchen island with two cabinets, four drawers, and a butcher block countertop—a great option if your kitchen is on the smaller side. The free plan includes a supply list, lumber shopping list, cut list, building directions, diagrams, and photos, along with step-by-step instructions for building the island frame. The instructions are easier than they might appear, but pay special attention to getting the drawer measurements precisely right.

Kitchen Island for Small Spaces

Having a small kitchen doesn't mean you have to forgo an island. Mama Sarahs offers a plan for a compact island that is perfectly proportioned for a small kitchen and costs under $50 to build. This island adds counter and storage space without making the kitchen feel cramped. Color photos and step-by-step instructions make this project simple.

Napa-Style Kitchen Island

Designs by Studio C offers a free plan to build a large island with two storage shelves, a push-through drawer, and a double-sided cabinet. If you like the design but are short on space, you can opt for their smaller version. The large version measures 60 inches long by 28 inches wide, while the smaller one is 48 inches by 29.5 inches. Both sizes provide functional and stylish storage and prep space.

Kitchen Cart Build

A kitchen cart provides the benefits of an island's counter and storage space with the added versatility of wheels and mobility. You can push it against a wall when not in use, bring it out as a buffet table when entertaining, or even wheel it outside for extra space while grilling. It can also serve as a dining spot with bar stools. HGTV's plan includes step-by-step instructions, a materials list, tools list, user comments, and videos.

Easy DIY Kitchen Island

Popular Mechanics offers a plan for a beginner-friendly kitchen island. This simple island features drawers, a pullout waste bin, a drop-leaf top, and storage shelves, providing plenty of functionality and style. The downloadable plan includes blueprints, 3D animation, color photos, and step-by-step instructions.

Rolling Kitchen Island

Rockler, a Minnesota-based woodworking and hardware retailer, provides a free plan for a kitchen island with a thick maple butcher block top perfect for serving, cooling baked goods, or chopping. Underneath, you'll find a spacious drawer for kitchen utensils with full-extension slides. Using prefabricated materials speeds up the building process and makes it easier for woodworking novices.

Base Cabinet Kitchen Island

The Fill offers a guide for building a kitchen island using base cabinets, which can result in a professional-looking island with minimal effort. This plan walks you through selecting a spot in your kitchen, gathering supplies, connecting cabinets, securing the island to the floor, adding power, and finishing it off.

Bookshelf Kitchen Island

Little Glass Jar repurposes an old bookshelf for this DIY kitchen island. The back of the bookshelf was removed, it was painted white, and pieces of plywood were added to create a shiplap effect. A simple stained piece of wood serves as the top of the island. This project allows for total customization, starting with any bookshelf you choose as the base. You can even trim tall bookshelves to your desired height.

Custom Kitchen Island

Classy Clutter's custom DIY kitchen island uses three prefabricated or stock cabinet boxes, which fit perfectly into the available space in the kitchen. Trim was added to make the boxes look like one cohesive piece, and beadboard inlays were included to match the existing cabinets. A coat of deep blue paint added a pop of color to finish it off.

Modern DIY Kitchen Island Makeover

Fresh Mommy Blog transformed an existing island found on Craigslist into a modern masterpiece. The existing top was removed and the island was painted a rich gray. The outdated hardware was replaced with modern gold pulls, and a custom concrete countertop was added, resulting in a chic and modern upgrade.

DIY Desk Kitchen Island

My Old Country House repurposed an old desk to create this island. The desk was an ideal size for the kitchen, already had a finished back, and was painted to match the kitchen's existing style. New hardware was added along with wheels to make the island mobile. A Formica marble top finished the transformation, providing functional storage and prep space that blends seamlessly with the kitchen.

Cube Shelf DIY Kitchen Island

Kreating Homes' project flips two tall cube storage shelves on their side and attaches legs to the bottom for elevation, using an old tabletop as the island's surface. The large cubes offer excellent storage for bulky or oddly shaped kitchen items.

Kitchen Island Coffee Bar

Jen Woodhouse's DIY kitchen island was specifically designed as a coffee bar. The island plan was modified by cutting 8 inches off the length to make it smaller, providing just the right amount of counter space for coffee preparation. Two large shelves below offer ample storage. Customize this island with paint or stain to match any kitchen style.

Rustic Kitchen Island With a Galvanized Metal Top

Remodelaholic transformed an old secondhand kitchen island into a custom piece. For a rustic look, they added a base to raise the height, attached cedar planks in a barn door design, and stained it with a weathered gray tone. A sleek galvanized metal top completed the transformation.

Outdoor Kitchen Island

HomeMade Modern’s outdoor kitchen island build uses weatherproof materials, including cedar lumber and a concrete top, to withstand the elements. The free DIY kitchen island plan provides tools and supplies lists, a video, and clear step-by-step instructions with photos.