How to Make a Kitchen Island using Wood or MDF
If you want to add an island to your kitchen and have some spare time over the holidays to do it yourself, below are some ideas and guidelines to help with the project.
22/11/2022
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Installing an island in a kitchen is a great idea for more than one reason. A kitchen island can be used to close off an open plan arrangement without blocking sight lines, light or air circulation, it is also an excellent idea if you do not have a dedicated dining area and can be designed to accommodate as many people as you like. Another reason for adding a kitchen island is to provide much-needed storage space where there is no room in the kitchen itself. And last, but not least, a custom kitchen island can increase the value of a kitchen and be a statement that finishes off a kitchen.
One thing is sure, there are plenty of materials out there than can be used to design and build a kitchen island, so you not only get to choose the style of the kitchen island but also how much you can afford to spend on materials and supplies. Thinking about this idea? Read on to find out about design style and how easy it is to make a kitchen island as well as the options for materials you can use.
Choose between Wood or Board Products
The first decisions you need to make are the design of the kitchen island and the material you want to use to construct it. There are pros to using either wood or board products and the final decision will be up to you on the look and finish you prefer, as well as the cost.
As a softwood, pine is the most affordable wood to use for a kitchen island and the best for a DIYer to use for projects. It will not blunt or dull blades or cutting tools. Pine can be stained in light or dark wood stains.
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• Wood
Building a kitchen island using wood will be the most expensive option, excluding the countertop material, especially if you decide to use something other than Pine, Meranti, or Saligna - the more affordable timbers on the market. And don't exclude these less expensive options since they are easy to work with and can be stained or sealed to mimic the look of other timbers.
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• Plywood
Plywood is not as expensive as hardwood but still an expensive option as you need to use veneered plywood. Pine plywood or commercial plywood has a low-grade veneer that does not have the same look as maple or birch veneered plywood. But the added advantage of plywood over wood is the fact that it is stronger and less likely to bow, warp or twist. Another benefit of plywood is the fact that the veneered finish can be stained in any wood tint.
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• SupaWood / MDF
Apart from being the most affordable material for a kitchen island. SupaWood is also the most versatile and easy to work with. A full sheet of 16mm SupaWood costs in the region of around R800 at Builders, and a single sheet is more than enough for a basic kitchen island, including shelving, doors, and drawers.
SupaWood has a smooth finish that is easy to paint on and, due to being manufactured locally and readily available, you can use it to make future modifications or additions without having to worry about matching up materials. Paint is best applied with a spray gun for a professional finish, and this gives you the choice of colours for finishing. As a do-it-yourself project, you can design an island that is any shape, size, height, or width, and add details accordingly.
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Problems to avoid when using Wood or Board Products
• Insufficient support
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Many projects fail due to not anticipating how much support is needed for wood or board products. In the kitchen above, the countertop consists of laminated planks fastened together to create a wider span. There are two visible faults with the installation of the timber countertop: [1] There appears to be no support along the width or span of the countertop which can result in bowing or warping of the timber and [2] There is nothing to support the overhanging edges of the countertop, particularly on the seating side. Over time, the wood will split and curve downwards.
Any long length or width of both wood and board products - anything over 1 metre - needs to be supported along the length or width to prevent distortion over time.
• Not enough knowledge or skill
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It is a sad fact that too many DIY enthusiasts rush into a project without understanding the techniques involved or having the proper tools for a professional-looking project. Always assess your skills before you tackle a project and, if there is something you don't know, give yourself enough time to learn beforehand. You don't want to waste your time and money on a project that is shoddy or poorly assembled.
• Not accounting for the weight of a countertop
A problem that can occur with kitchen countertop installations, as well as kitchen cupboards, is not accounting for the weight of the countertop material. This is important if you are installing a granite or marble countertop as extra reinforcing needs to be incorporated for these heavy materials. Place additional bracing along the top of the island structure to prevent collapse.
How to Make a Basic Wooden Kitchen Island
See the diagrams below for instructions on making a basic kitchen island using pine, as shown above.
The wooden kitchen island shown above, and in the diagrams below is made using PAR pine and laminated pine shelving that you will find at any Builders store. The legs are 69 x 69mm (67 x 67mm) and the centre supports are 44 x 44mm.
Half-lap joints secure the legs and crosspieces together and give the table a sturdy design. Lap joints are cut out for the centre supports. Wood glue and screws are used for the assembly.
The centre panel is secured onto the end supports and then inserted in the cutouts for lap joints.
An apron is fitted around the edge of the tabletop and has mitred corners for a professional finish. The width of the apron is of your choice.
For additional support, wood corners were cut to fit around the legs and offer additional support and stability.
