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.
Here’s a few more photos of the finished DIY kitchen island and a source list. I can’t wait to see what it will look like with some hanging pendants.
KITCHEN ISLAND SOURCE LIST
- Island Color: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65
- Island Stools: Antique Gun Metal Bar Stool
- Kitchen Faucet: Delta Trinsic Pro Touch20 in Arctic Stainless
- Sign: Let’s Stay Home by Knotty Design Co.
The rest of the sources can be found below. Just click on any of the product images for full details!
PIN FOR LATER!