How to Make a Kitchen Island

Is your kitchen in need of a little extra counter or storage space? We have the solution. This DIY kitchen island revives old twin dressers, and a chic concrete countertop gives the piece an industrial look. Our easy-to-follow instructions mean you can whip up this simple project this weekend.

Make a Super Storage-Savvy Island

What You Need

• Two identical dressers
• Tape measure
• Trim to fill gap between dressers
• Sandpaper
• Primer
• Paint (we used Cushing Green by Benjamin Moore)
• Paintbrushes
• Hardware (we used knobs in Stainless Steel from Essential'z by Amerock)
• Screwdriver
• Wood glue
• Clamps
• Shims, optional
• Putty
• Putty knife
• Concrete countertop
• Construction adhesive

Step 1: Assemble Shape

Push dressers together back to back. Measure and cut a side trim piece to fill the gap between dressers—this will give the island a bit more counter space. Also measure and cut a piece of trim that spans the width of the gap between the tops of the two dressers. Check that your trim pieces fit before proceeding to the next step.

Editor's Tip: If you want the finished island to be the same height as your kitchen's perimeter countertops, use a circular saw to shorten each dresser leg. If the legs are too short, drill wooden blocks into each dresser leg to add height.

Step 2: Prime and Paint

Sand, prime, and paint trim and dressers. Install new hardware with a screwdriver.

Step 3: Attach Trim

Apply a thick strip of glue to each side of the trim and secure between dressers. Cure with clamps. Once dry, add shims if necessary. Fill lines with putty, then paint.

Step 4: Add Counter

Measure and make a concrete countertop. Let cure. Then apply construction adhesive to the top of the dressers. Place cured concrete countertop on dressers.