How to Use Kitchen Cabinets for an Island

Use kitchen cabinets to make your own customized island.

A kitchen island is more than just a decorative feature. It provides a utilitarian service. A kitchen island can be used to store kitchen linens, pots and pans, or holiday specialty items. Kitchen cabinets provide a fully customizable option for your island. You can choose cabinets that either match or contrast your existing cabinetry. Using kitchen cabinets to make an island in your kitchen is a moderately easy task. The result is an island that serves its purposes while speaking to your own decorating style.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Blue painter's tape
• 2-by-4 lumber
• Circular saw
• Drill
• 2-inch screws
• Level
• Shims
• 1-inch screws

Instructions

1. Use a measuring tape to determine the dimensions of your island. Measure the space along the floor where you wish to place your island.

2. Use blue painter's tape to mark the dimensions of your island on the kitchen floor. This will allow you to visually see where the island will be located.

3. Measure from the painters tape to the place that you determine that your countertop will overhang the cabinetry. Use painters tape to mark this dimension on the floor.

4. Open any cabinet drawers and doors. Open the refrigerator and oven doors as well. Make a note as to whether there is enough clearance for the operation of these items without interfering with the intended island space and its intended countertop. Make any necessary adjustments.

5. Take these ideas and your measurements to your cabinet maker or home improvement center. Choose your cabinets for their intended use. Choose cabinets that have shelving and drawers for a fully customized island.

6. Set the cabinets in the marked area on the kitchen floor. Move them around until you have determined that the cabinets have been placed in the most appropriate location.

7. Measure the bottom inside measurement of the cabinets. Cut 2-by-4 lumber to these measurements with a circular saw. Secure the lumber for each corresponding cabinet to the kitchen floor using a drill and 2-inch screws.

8. Place each cabinet atop the corresponding piece of lumber. Use a level to ensure that the cabinets are sitting level. Use shims if necessary.

9. Secure the bottom of the cabinet to the lumber with 2-inch screws.

10. Secure the cabinets to each other using 1-inch screws.

11. Choose and install the countertop material for your island.

Tips & Warnings

• Cabinets come in standard sizes such as 12 inches, 24 inches and 36 inches. Keep these measurements in mind when determining the size of your island. Using standard-size cabinets saves you the cost of having to have cabinets specially made for your space.

• Make any adjustments to your island prior to securing it to the floor.

• Finish the back or sides of the cabinetry with matching panels or bead board.

• Use baseboard around the bottom of your island for a more finished look.

• Stain or paint your cabinets to match or contrast existing cabinetry.

References

• Kraftmaid Cabinets: Design Your Room: Islands
• Installing Kitchen Cabinets: Blocks Anchor the Island in Place