DIY Kitchen Island Makeover

Are you thinking of updating your kitchen island? Check out this step-by-step horizontal plank tutorial that will help you do just that.

Ahh. Our kitchen renovation.

It’s been a long process… 3+ years to be exact.

Home takes time, doesn’t it?!

Speaking of time, let’s go back… In 2017, while I was pregnant with Miss K, we started our kitchen renovation and we’re still working on it today.

Here’s what was completed in phase 1:

Painted walls & ceiling
Updated flooring
Painted cabinets
Stone countertops
Reframed island
Tile backsplash
Updated appliances
Update potlights

Here’s what’s left to do (we’ll call this phase 2):

Trim out oven
Add drawer front under oven
Island lighting
Window seat
Window seat lighting

When I found myself spending way more time at home than usual last summer (hello, pandemic) it became very clear to me the impact our environment has on us.

I felt a strong pull to start working on some house projects I had been putting off while I was in the baby trenches… AND… I was tired of looking at our unfinished island!

So… I dug the pile of planks out of storage, phoned my father-in-law for some tips, bought myself a nail gun and got to work.

Let me show you how you can do it, too.

THE BEFORE

Here it is in all it’s teal and oak glory. So very 90’s.

THE DURING

When the existing countertops were removed, we realized they were only being supported by cabinet panels and a few corbels.

A friend built a new frame for the island – one that would be strong enough to support the stone countertop. Cody sheeted the front with plywood (see below) and along with his dad’s help they attached hidden brackets to support the stone.

THE AFTER

Ahh! So much nicer to look at than the plywood. And, I’m very proud to say – I did that! Now to figure out those darn brackets that were supposed to be hidden.

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DIY KITCHEN ISLAND MAKEOVER

Materials Needed

Lumber:
- V-Groove Pine Panels
- 1 x 4’s (trim border)
Construction Adhesive
Mitre Saw
Level
Brad Nailer & Nails
Primer
Paint, Paint Brush, Roller & Tape
Caulk
Caulking Gun

Steps:

1. Using a mitre saw, cut your board to length.

2. Apply construction adhesive to the back of your board.

3. Press board onto the island front with the groove on the bottom and the tongue on the top. Ensure your board is level and shoot the nail diagonally into the tongue.

Tip: Nailing the tongue as opposed to the face frame eliminates filling nail holes as the hole will be covered by the groove of the board you place on top.

4. Work your way from the bottom to the top.

Tip: If your island has corners, like mine, do all the bottom boards first to ensure a cohesive look. Essentially work across and up.

5. To apply the next board, squeeze a bead of adhesive on the back, slide the groove onto the tongue and nail diagonally into the tongue at the top. Keep going.

6. Once you have the entire island planked, it’s time to add the trim. Cut your boards to length. Apply construction adhesive. Nail on top of planks.

Tip: If your island has corners, like mine, bevel the edges of your boards. This angle finder really helped with the bevel cuts.

7. Use wood filler to fill any holes or large knots in the pine, as well as any imperfections in you cuts. Once dry, sand the wood filler.

8. Prime using a primer that specializes in sealing wood knots and preventing bleed through. This is what I used. Refer to primer instructions on application, dry time, sanding, etc.

9. Once priming is complete, time to paint then finish with caulk.