Kitchen space is one of the essential parts of any home. Itâs a place for great cooking, dining, conversation, study or work. Full kitchen renovations dominate American household investments. It is one of the best ways to impart elegance to a kitchenâs general appearance without a heavy investment. If youâre a bit clueless about adding your own kitchen island, my kitchen island ideas on a budget should help you with a path forward.
Just remember that kitchen islands generally act as a focal point for all room activity but islands can be attached to the kitchen wall (half wall) if you donât have a lot of space.
You could practically make a kitchen island from an old desk, like a well-designed shaker style table, and re-use the wood for your own diy kitchen island. It wonât add too much space for work but provides enough work space, for example, for a small kitchen area where foot traffic is limiting. However, you can easily skip all this and buy kitchen carts that have a small table top with spice rack, towel rack and drawer which is a great option if youâre not looking for a DIY tutorial. (LOL). It still has an kitchen island look but can be moved around and not just be placed in the middle of your kitchen.
Ideally, if your home has small spaces like a kitchen, my list below can also help you. Note that these ideas are flexible and wonât limit your creativityâfor example, using an old dresser is fantastic for small kitchen island ideas. Moreover, if you also want to add kitchen cabinets with closed or open shelving, youâll have plenty of options to play with.
Table of Contents
- Old Dresser to Kitchen Island
- Industrial Kitchen Island
- Pottery Barn Kitchen Island
- Farmhouse Kitchen Island
- Drop Leaf Kitchen Island
- Wine Rack Kitchen Island
- Pallet Kitchen Island
- Frequently Asked Questions
Old Dresser to Kitchen Island
Using your old dresser is a great idea and a wonderful way to transform your kitchen island into a superior but simple one. Donât have an old dresser or a new one? Time to get creative. When good weather is upon us, itâs time to hit some neighborhood garage sale opportunities but if youâre looking for something new, you can go to Home Depot or any other hardware store. Iâd recommend avoiding dressers with glass doors, though.
Change your old dresser into a kitchen instead of letting it collect dust in your, e.g., garage or basement; this is one great way of putting it into use. If youâre worried that your kitchen island wonât adopt a traditional look, worry not since this isnât always necessary. Want more utility? A towel rack / towel bar is an added bonus, making for a more functional kitchen island.
Essentially, you can tone up your DIY project by adding a fresh coat of paint, adding some flair to the overall look. Have an old country house that needs an excellent piece of furniture as a design accent?
You can find some classic turn of the century dresser at any yard sale and convert it into a classic beverage/bar station versus stylish kitchen island. The lower level drawer can be exposed to hold some wine bottles, and your new hardware can use the lower drawer for plates and utensils. Even as a small island, it provides plenty of storage for this purpose. Family members and guests will rave about the rustic look but it may be tricky keeping small children away. Want to add even more style? How about a lazy susan with marbleized top to spin the cheese and crackers around. You can find some ideas on Amazon or at Home Depot.
Alternatively, you can just buy a new dresser and make those changes but then itâs no longer a shoestring budget but a costlier DIY island hack. đ
You can also use it as a breakfast bar by including a few chairs around it to make the area cozier. Moreover, you can decorate the dresser top with a flower pot or an antique. Generally, this will cost you less money but will leave your entire kitchen space looking fantastic.
This dresser kitchen island has some flexibility and you can also use it as a dining area during meal times. The chair options for this idea can be anything that feels comfortable, including bar stools. As mentioned earlier, you can use the dresser drawers to store items such as liquor bottles, and some utensils, among other kitchenware.
Industrial Kitchen Island
If you have a low budget, this should be among your top picks. Kitchen ideas should have a sophisticated level of simplicity for any furniture piece. If you want a modern edge, this could be one of the best DIY kitchen island ideas because it provides a lot of storage space with simple elements. As simple as metal, like stainless steel, and wooden scaffold boards. This custom island will become a focal point in your kitchen, for dining and meal prep, and could even work well in a basement apartment. Etsy.com provides some excellent options if youâre in the mood to buy and build one with a kitchen designer.
The style adopts an industrial appearance and vintage look, with modern appeal. Not necessarily steampunk but futuristic for modern kitchens today. Industrial is the best option if you need open shelving units which are a great place for kitchenware and other utensils. You also have some options about the metal and board used from a variety of vendors including different color variations.
Pottery Barn Kitchen Island
Some of the best kitchen islands are sold at Pottery Barn. However, their price points may not fit most budgets. But they have deals! Iâve found a few in the less than $500 USD category. If you want a new kitchen island, you may want to look here.
When I wrote this article, there was a sale for their Drake Kitchen island, made for smaller kitchens. This one makes the most sense if you donât want a large island, and prefer something with open shelves and reasonable access in the heart of the home. This unit is super functional for work, and storage, and has a great design.
It packs a punch! You can:
- store kitchenware and other essentials for meal prep
- Access to your own wine supplies (up to 12!) to act as the home bar for guest entertainment
- The islandâs back has legroom for two stools to be used as a breakfast bar for coffee and morning read
- Level the island for uneven floors
If you have a white farmhouse-style kitchen or even a modern, contemporary look, the antique-white finish will fit in quite nicely.
Surprisingly, the kitchen island is portable even if it is made of solid poplar wood and MDF so that you can quickly move it to a specific spot within the kitchen when not in use. tâs one of the smallest kitchen islands but is in good shape to hold plates, mugs, glasses, and bowls.
Farmhouse Kitchen Island
Typically, this kitchen island is a cabinet with multiple drawers and an open shelf in the middle of the structure. You should know that itâs among the most inexpensive designs for those who wish to pull this off. The kitchen island might be small, but it has enough counter space for dining with your family.
This style fuses vintage elements with modern accents which complements an already exquisite kitchen environment. These colors help a kitchen, whether small or large, look far more spacious. A large kitchen island in this color with beautiful, light brown hardwood floors, kitchen interior white, and large windows will be breathtaking.
Generally, Farmhouse kitchen island designs thrive on a bluish-green paint color for the lower parts to give it a fantastic farmhouse and a light brown color for the countertop. This is a very popular color pattern for modern homes. Some great Benjamin Moore blue-green colors include:
- Healing Aloe
- Beach Glass
- Woodlawn Blue
- Palladian Blue
- Whythe Blue
- Williamsburg Whythe Blue
- Sea Star
- Aegean Teal
- Rainstorm
- Newburg Green
- Dark Harbor
Have a look at this color sheet for some visual cues.
You can make the kitchen island cozy by incorporating chairs or bar stools. Adding a nice new countertop in marble finish will brighten your kitchen and also serves to include other accents, like potted plants, framed photos, and other antique, farmhouse elements. You can also use a butcher block countertop in this design set.
Drop Leaf Kitchen Island
The drop leaf has one prominent unique feature, i.e., extra counter space and functionality. The design employs a higher level of remarkable sophistication. The extra counter space is something you can pop up when you need some extra counter space for dining and holding additional items. And since this extra space is flexible, you can drop it down when not in use on some product.
Drop Leaf kitchen island cards are made with a solid wood countertop, including cabinet doors, drawers, and roller wheels which can lock into place, making this a perfect temporary kitchen solution. For dining, this can be rolled into the living room dining area for prep and service situations.
Bar-style stools work best for a temporary snack/dine moment but regular dining chairs might not work best their design does not consider legroom.
Drop leaf kitchen islands can have more open shelving designs, which make room for a rustic fruit basket, middle shelving for kitchenware and utensils, and lower shelving for vintage wines with associated serving accessories. This style is perfect for a farmhouse kitchen style. Look for the Mayton Wide Rolling Kitchen Cart on Wayfair, including an excellent selection of styling options.
For whatever reason you want to use the extra countertop for this perfect kitchen island, itâs a good idea to incorporate chairs, especially the dining table chairs, to make it cozy. Generally, the main focal point of this kitchen island is its unique extra counter space. Also, if you want some extra storage space, this would be a perfect fit for your needs.
Wine Rack Kitchen Island
The wine rack would be an excellent idea for those who want a simple kitchen island to add to the kitchenâs focal point. Though it may not be suitable for food preparation, it will serve a simple purpose in a standard small kitchen island. Despite its name, it serves as a dual-purpose structure for liquor and wine bottle storage and holding utensils.Â
Its design supports for easy access to utensils for immediate use. Moreover, you can use the kitchen island for decor accents such as antiques, photo frames, and potted plants. Additionally, itâs also suitable to serve food easily for snacking and conversation.
I recommend a color blend thatâs a mix between maroon and white. This will attract attention and draw in activity as central focal point to your kitchen. You should reserve the maroon color for the countertop and the last shelf at the bottom. As for the rack that sits in between, white should suffice.
You can be sure that this kitchen Island design will have your guests turning heads constantly.
Pallet Kitchen Island
One of the cheapest kitchen bar islands with the most uncomplicated and inexpensive design is the pallet kitchen Island. According to most kitchen interior designers, this island design can cost less than $50. Even if youâre not a DIY person, youâll find this project quite fulfilling and enjoyable, and the results will feel like you havenât spent a dime. In the long run, this kitchen island will help you significantly.Â
The good thing about this design is its simplicity and ease of making. However simple it is, the pallet kitchen island is an additional decor to your kitchen. Plus, it gives off a vintage vibe which is an excellent prime touch to the general appearance of the entire kitchen space. Typically this design is made of wood and a transparent finish that adds ambiance to the surface sparkle of the wood. If done correctly, you can even design it as a waterfall kitchen island, leaving a lot of space underneath with modern bar stools in a rustic wood setting.
Based on market sentiment, it appears to be one of the best DIY kitchen islands for the budget. Youâll appreciate having it for holding simple items such as utensils and other kitchenware in your kitchen. So, if you have a small budget for your kitchen island, this option is the best fit. Also, letâs be honest. How many people will talk about the uniqueness of a kitchen island built off pallet wood!
Frequently Asked Questions
Whatâs the average cost of a kitchen island?
If you want the best kitchen island, you should be ready to pay heavily for it. You may not be able to give your kitchen the best new look at an affordable price. Depending on the amount of money you can spend, a standard kitchen island costs about $3,000 and $5,000.
What should I put on my kitchen island?
Whatever you see fit to place on your kitchen island is entirely up to you. For example, you can have the best furniture, such as bar stools or simple dining table chairs, depending on your design preference. Other components to include in your kitchen island are; dishes, cutting board, tray, bowl, candles, etc.
Can I buy a kitchen island instead of making one?
The simple answer is yes. Suppose you consider purchasing a built-in kitchen island in contemporary and industrial design. You can buy these kitchen islands from second-hand dealers or home improvement retailers. Most importantly, if youâre going to buy one, ensure youâve taken the appropriate kitchen measurements to ensure youâre getting the proper kitchen island.
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John Thompson, Writer and Commentator
Soldier, writer, researcher, consultant, and bon vivant, John Thompson is the author of numerous columns, op-eds, reports, briefs, short stories and books as the âFelicity Filesâ and âSpirit Over Steel: A Chronology of the Second World Warâ (version III). Often found hunched over his computer, or in his garden, and now often found doing both. His diverse talent has led him to work in industries and projects such as energy, security and home construction and renovation. To see the entire team at Evolutdesign.com, visit Our Team page.
