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20 Free DIY Kitchen Island Plans

Learn how to build your own kitchen island

Updated on 05/03/21

kitchen island with seating — The Spruce / Michelle Becker

A DIY kitchen island is a great way to add a custom centerpiece to your kitchen. Extra countertop and storage space are just some of the many benefits of an island. And it doesn't have to be complicated to build one. There are many free DIY kitchen island plans that offer different features and styles to suit your kitchen's needs. The plans include material lists and step-by-step instructions to guide you in building a custom island. Plus, the plans often can be modified to adjust the island size, finish, and other aspects.

Here are 20 free DIY kitchen island plans to inspire you.

01 of 20

Farmhouse Kitchen Island

Ana White

This huge farmhouse kitchen island from Ana White is loaded with storage. It has two cupboards with shelves, open shelving, and lots of drawer space. You could even use it as an entryway console or for storage elsewhere in your home. The free kitchen island plan includes dimensions, materials, a tools list, a cut list, directions, and photos.
02 of 20

Wood Countertop Kitchen Island

Ana White

This rustic but modern kitchen island is also from Ana White. It includes two shelves, large drawers, and a wood countertop. It can be stained or painted to match just about any style of kitchen. You also can use hardware to match what you already have in your kitchen.
03 of 20

DIY Rolling Kitchen Island

Shanty 2 Chic

This free kitchen island plan from Shanty 2 Chic builds an island that will even fit in small spaces. The design includes a large workspace, a lower open shelf, wheels to make the island portable, and a towel bar. The downloadable plan comes with a supply list, cut list, written instructions, diagrams, and photos.
04 of 20

Kitchen Island With Trash Storage

Shades of Blue Interiors

Make your functional kitchen island dreams come true with this beautiful build from Shades of Blue Interiors. This DIY kitchen island includes open storage plus a pullout bin for a trash can. Besides being useful indoors, this island would also be excellent to use in an outdoor kitchen to ensure there's always a trash can near the cooking space.

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05 of 20

Rustic Kitchen Table Island

Our Vintage Home Love

Our Vintage Home Love offers a free DIY kitchen island plan that uses aged wood to give it a nice rustic look. Don't worry if your boards aren't the exact same width for the top; having slight variation just adds to the rustic charm. Color photos and clearly written instructions will walk you through building this beautiful and functional kitchen island.
06 of 20

DIY Butcher Block Kitchen Island

Cherished Bliss

Cherished Bliss has designed a small but functional kitchen island that has two cabinets, four drawers, and a butcher block countertop. The free plan includes a supply list, lumber shopping list, cut list, building directions, diagrams, and photos. The DIYer says the instructions are easier than they might seem at first, though you should pay special attention to getting your drawer measurements exactly right.
07 of 20

Kitchen Island for Small Spaces

Mama Sarahs

Having a small kitchen doesn't necessarily mean you don't have space for an island. This free kitchen island plan from Mama Sarahs builds a functional island that's exactly in proportion with its small kitchen. And it does it for under $50. The island adds a bit more counter and storage space to the kitchen without making things feel tight. Color photos accompany the step-by-step instructions and supply list to make this build a breeze.
08 of 20

Napa-Style Kitchen Island

Designs by Studio C

This free DIY kitchen island plan from Designs by Studio C builds a large island complete with two storage shelves, a push-through drawer, and a double-sided cabinet. If you like the style but are short on space, Designs by Studio C also offers a plan for a smaller version. The large version is 60 inches long by 28 inches wide while the smaller island is 48 inches by 29.5 inches. Either way, both islands will add functional and stylish storage and prep space to the kitchen.

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09 of 20

Kitchen Cart Build

Mint Images / Getty Images

A kitchen cart offers the counter and storage space of an island paired with the flexibility of being mobile. You can push it against a wall when you don't need it, bring it out by your dining table to use as a buffet when you're entertaining, and even wheel it outside for extra surface space when you're grilling. It also can serve as a dining spot with some bar stools. Step-by-step instructions, materials, a tools list, user comments, and videos are included in this kitchen cart plan from DIY Network.
10 of 20

Easy DIY Kitchen Island

Robert Daly / Getty Images

Here's a plan from Popular Mechanics for a simple kitchen island that's perfect for the beginner woodworker. Drawers, a pullout waste bin, a drop-leaf top, and shelves for storage add lots of function and style to this DIY island. The downloadable plan comes with blueprints, 3D animation, color photos, and step-by-step instructions.
11 of 20

Kitchen Island With Pre-Built Panels and Butcher Block

Johner Images / Getty Images

Rockler offers a free kitchen island plan that uses pre-built cabinet panels for the sides and butcher block for the top. Using prefabricated materials will save you a lot of time when building your kitchen island, and it will make the build a lot easier for those who are new to woodworking. Step-by-step instructions, color photos, and a PDF download of the blueprint and material list will make this kitchen island build a breeze.
12 of 20

Base Cabinet Kitchen Island

James Oliver / Getty Images

The Fill has a free plan for building a kitchen island out of base cabinets. If you want a professional-looking island that doesn't take much work, this could be the DIY project for you. The plan takes you through the process of picking a spot in your kitchen for the island, shopping for supplies, connecting the cabinets, fastening the island to the floor, adding power, and applying finishing touches.

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13 of 20

Bookshelf Kitchen Island

This DIY kitchen island from Little Glass Jar repurposes an old bookshelf. The DIYer removed the back of the bookshelf, painted it white, and added pieces of plywood to make the sides look like shiplap. A simple stained piece of wood forms the top of the island. This is a kitchen island you can completely customize to your design style, starting with any bookshelf you like as the base. You can even cut down tall bookshelves to the height you need.
14 of 20

Custom Kitchen Island

This custom DIY kitchen island from Classy Clutter pieced together three prefabricated cabinet boxes that perfectly fit the available space in the kitchen. The DIYer added trim to make the boxes look like all one piece, as well as beadboard inlays to match the other kitchen cabinets. Finally, the island got a slick coat of deep blue paint to add a pop of color to the kitchen.
15 of 20

Modern DIY Kitchen Island Makeover

This DIY kitchen island from Fresh Mommy Blog uses an existing island scored off Craigslist as its jumping-off point. The DIYer removed the existing top of the island and then painted it a rich gray. The outdated hardware was swapped for modern gold pulls that match the rest of the kitchen. And rather than breaking the budget on an expensive countertop, the island got a custom concrete top that looks great with the modern design.
16 of 20

DIY Desk Kitchen Island

This DIY from My Old Country House repurposes an old desk into an island. The desk was the perfect size for the kitchen, and its back was already finished. The DIYer painted the desk, added new hardware that coordinated with the rest of the kitchen, and attached wheels to the desk legs to make the island mobile. The desk also got a formica marble top that matched the rest of the kitchen. Now, it’s functional storage and prep space that looks like it was meant for the kitchen all along.

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17 of 20

Cube Shelf DIY Kitchen Island

Kreating Homes offers a DIY kitchen island that repurposes cube storage shelves. The DIYer flipped two tall cube shelves on their side and then attached legs to the new bottom to raise the island slightly off the floor. Then, they used an old tabletop as the new island top. The large cube shelves provide excellent storage for bulky and oddly shaped kitchen items.
18 of 20

Kitchen Island Coffee Bar

This DIY kitchen island from Jen Woodhouse was made specifically with coffee in mind. The DIYer adapted another island plan, cutting 8 inches off the length for this island coffee bar. It has just the right amount of surface space to prepare coffee while still being small enough to fit in most kitchens. And the two large shelves below offer ample storage. This island can easily be customized with paint and/or stain to match any kitchen style.
19 of 20

Rustic Kitchen Island With a Galvanized Metal Top

Remodelaholic shares a DIY that transformed an old secondhand kitchen island into a custom and expensive-looking piece of furniture. The DIYer wanted a rustic look. So after adding a base to raise the island’s height, they attached cedar planks to the island in a design similar to a barn door. Then, they stained it in a weathered gray tone and attached a sleek galvanized metal top.
20 of 20

Outdoor Kitchen Island

If you have an outdoor kitchen and need some extra food prep space, this build from HomeMade Modern could be the island for you. It uses weatherproofed materials, including cedar lumber and a concrete top, that can withstand the elements. The free DIY kitchen island plan provides tools and supplies lists, a video, and clear step-by-step instructions with photos.