Turn a plain dining table into a kitchen island with this easy, inexpensive DIY trick. You don't need traditional legs or fancy tools.
And you can do it in a day.
I have a lovely farmhouse island in my kitchen. It is the most useful and utilized piece of furniture in my home.
But it didn't start out that way.
Nope. It started it's life as a plain old, average sized, traditional dining table.
We loved it and used it like that for years, but when we moved here, we didn't need a table of that size, so we retired it to the basement where it sat for months, while we renovated.
However when the construction was done, we really wanted an island....and it's worked out unbelievably well.
While there is another table in the kitchen and a full desk area, that island is the place where our family eats most meals, prepares food, makes Christmas cookies, decorates Easter eggs, carves pumpkins, plays games, does homework and gathers for conversation.
It's the physical and emotional center of the kitchen and a beautiful, decorative focal point as well.
The perfect combination of form and function, if I do say so myself.
So how'd we turn that table into this rustic island?
Well, we cheated our way there, of course.
How To Turn A Kitchen Table Into An Island
Ok, so what was our big cheat?
We faked the legs.
As I said, this piece didn't start its furniture life out as an island.
Many years ago, I worked at Pottery Barn and with my stellar employee discount I was able to get a farmhouse table for next to nothing.
The table was returned and supposedly damaged, although I have never seen any imperfections.
In our first cottage it was the right shape and size.
But when we moved, I wanted a round table and my lovely farmhouse {almost} freebie was needed after we turned this old dining room into a family room.
Once it was clear we had plenty of room for an island in our new addition, I started shopping, but I couldn't find one to suit my taste and my budget.
Then I remembered my table and we decided to make it into a kitchen island.
1. Determine Your Height
We brought it back upstairs, as the style was perfect, but obviously the height was all wrong. A standard kitchen island is 36 inches high.
Our table was obviously much shorter, so we needed a way to make it taller.
2. Get Longer Legs
We figured if we replaced the legs with longer ones, we would have a fabulous island.
We looked for furniture legs online and in stores, but again, they were very pricey and very ornate. Not going to work.
So we cheated.
One day while shopping in Home Depot, we walked by the stair balusters (newel posts) and realized that if we turned them upside down, they looked exactly like furniture legs.
Even better, they were cheap, came in a variety of sizes and had the simple style we desired.
Plus, they were in stock to take home that very day. No shipping costs and no waiting.
3. Cut Them To Size
Once we got them home, we cut them to the proper height.
Keep in mind that you'll need to take the measurements of the tabletop into consideration. For example, the entire island should be 36 inches high, not just the legs.
So you need to measure accordingly.
4. Attach The Legs
We notched the new table legs so that the bracket from the old legs would fit them to match the table and we had an instant island.
No need to reinvent the wheel. However, if you're building a island from scratch, you can grab these brackets at the hardware store.
5. Stain The Legs To Match
The table is pine and the balusters are oak, but you would never know, since we made sure we chose a stain that matched the existing finish exactly.
6. Add A Towel Bar
To make our new furniture piece a little more functional for the kitchen, we picked up some cheap wooden towel bars and screwed them into both sides of the table.
They came prefinished and the stain was also a perfect match.
7. Choose Seating
Clearly, our old chairs no longer worked with our new island. Luckily, I already had one red Pottery Barn barstool from the discount days to fit under the island.
I picked up the second at the outlet. Then we tucked two backless stools from Bed, Bath and Beyond under the other side.
And we were in business with a brand new (old) rustic farmhouse style kitchen island. For almost nothing.
To buy a solid wood, farmhouse style island would've cost me hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars.
For a fraction of the price I was able to convert my old table into a really great piece, that actually still has my kids' carvings in it.
Something I couldn't pay for anyway. It's been a few years since this project was tackled and honestly, the table is in desperate need of a refinish.
Although I still want to keep the kids' artwork intact.
Update! We refinished the table and it's amazing.
Once the island was done, we turned our attention to the desk area.
We decided we liked the look so much that we returned the legs we'd originally ordered to the cabinet company and used the newels there, as well.
We decided we liked the look so much that we returned the legs we'd originally ordered to the cabinet company and used the newels there, as well.
This time we painted the wood to match the furniture.
So if you're looking for a rustic farmhouse workspace, don't pass up that yard sale table.
It could be the kitchen island of your dreams.
Who knew.
Do you have an island?
Looking for more cheats or farmhouse style?
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| Customizing A Chair |
Great idea Kim, I really like it; reuse, repurpose, and retrofit to your liking :)
ReplyDeleteTammi
Love the retrofit! We do a lot of that at our house for sure! :)
DeleteGood Evening Kim, My word you are a creative husband and wife team. I would never have thought of using balusters as legs. Looking at the table I would have had no idea that they were mismatched.
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that I am collecting tips from you.... I am putting the ideas away for a time when I will need them.
Thank you.
Best Wishes
Daphne
Daphne, you always have the kindest comments! Thank you so much and I am glad that you have found something helpful here! Have a lovely weekend!
DeleteThis is really beautiful. I love the kitchen and I love cheat #3. You are gifted!
ReplyDeleteLisa, you are too kind! Now, if only my kids thought that...
DeleteYou are a fricking genius! I never would have thought of that, which is probably why your house is so stinking adorable!
ReplyDeleteGenius, huh? I'll take it! Seriously though, adorable is actually pretty easy to achieve with Photoshop! ;)
Deletethank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!! I want new legs for my dining room table but they're so expensive and I don't want to use dimensional lumber. I've never seen balusters that chunky before but I'm now on the hunt!
ReplyDeleteI could kiss you!
xox
Anne, you are too sweet! I can totally relate though, when we were trying to figure out how to make this tabletop work and I found the balusters, I was ecstatic! We found them at Home Depot, right next to the hand railings. I hope you have luck! Keep me posted!
Delete...and I would've taken them, Dana! A while back, I wrote a post about how my hubby never buys the right colored tissue boxes...within a week, I had red tissues boxes piling up at my back door! Turns out blogging is better than Craig's List! ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Kim,
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous red and white kitchen! The wreath and the rooster sign are adorable! You and your hubby are DIY decor super heroes! I'm done with furnishing my home (for now!), but will definitely keep this smart tip in mind! Thanks for sharing!
Tried following you on G+. Not sure if it worked. Please let me know!:)
Poppy
OK...so your kitchen is GORGEOUS and what you did with that island is GENIUS! So creative...I am jealous! ;)
ReplyDeleteAll I saw was GORGEOUS and GENIUS! Thanks!!
DeleteHoly cow. Is that your kitchen? I'm having some serious kitchen envy right now!!! Your blog is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie ~ you just totally made my day! I'm glad that you like my kitchen, but even more excited that you like my blog!
DeleteSuch a great tip! I've shopped for furniture legs before with little luck -- next time I'll be heading to the balusters!
ReplyDelete- Lora @ Craftivity Designs
I do not have a railing in my home, so I had never shopped for them before, but they really are everywhere and lots of styles to choose from! Happy hunting!
DeleteWow, that's so cool! I don't think I ever would have thought of that solution to make the table taller!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel, I didn't think it was really all that creative, until I blogged about it. Most people seem to think it's really out of the box! Who knew?
DeleteOMG - THAT is your kitchen!? Freaking amazing - it looks like it's something out of Southern Living! Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much for visiting my blog the other day, too. I appreciate you! :)
ReplyDeleteSouthern Living!?! Woo hoo! Thanks Cyndi and thanks for popping by! Love your blog, stellar writing!
DeleteI want to do this in my moms new summer cottage. It would be so perfect for eating and working.
ReplyDeleteA summer cottage sounds lovely, with or without an island, but it is a very functional piece! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThis is a fabulous idea. I will be stealing this. I love your kitchen. Red is my favorite color.
ReplyDeleteSteal away and I am a red girl, that's for sure! :)
DeleteAwesome tip! Your kitchen is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Christina!
DeleteWow, what a great idea. you are very talented! This blog is great and so are all your ideas....
ReplyDeleteDefinite Kitchen envy going on here....
Tracy
You are very kind! I am so glad you like what you see and I love reading all of your comments Tracy!
DeleteGreat use of the posts for legs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna~ it was exciting to find something that worked!
DeleteGreat idea!! You did such a good job ;) Thank you so much for sharing at Give Me The Goods Monday!
ReplyDeleteJamie @ Better With Age
Thanks Jamie, it's always a great party and, hey, thanks for featuring my Farmhouse Kitchen Island! How exciting!
DeleteWhat a great idea! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays! x
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. Everyone wants a custom piece of furniture and you made it easy to look outside the box in a way to get it. BTW: love your site. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeletePeeking in from Oh, Mrs. Tucker!
Thanks for peeking in Patti~ such nice words! Thank you, thank you, thank you! :)
DeleteWhat a great idea! The legs looks like they came with the table! Love the towel holder on the end as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Katie, I really like those towel holders too! They come in very handy in a busy, messy kitchen! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
DeleteWow, what a creative solution! Not only does it look great, but it sure was thrifty too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon! It was a bargain, that's for sure! Thanks so much for popping by to take a look at it!
DeleteLove it!!!! I get so attached to furniture my kids have "distressed" too. Especially tables for some reason. You are right! You can't buy those kid marks or the memories of Christmas cookies, etc. I love how you described your island! Mine is all wrong at the moment and it does make such a difference. A kitchen redo is ongoing at our house right now. Little bits and little changes at a time as funds, time, etc. allow. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJessica
Jessica, I fought with my husband about those carvings, can you believe he wanted to sand them out! ;) I am sure that you will end up with a lovely island when your renovations are done! Good luck, I remember what a process it can be~ but all worth it in the end!
DeleteSO clever!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Korrie! It definitely solved my island problem!
DeleteWhat a great idea. I would never have thought of it. Love your kitchen
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! It was an idea born out of necessity~ and a little luck at Home Depot!
DeleteLovely kitchen and great idea using the stair balusters for legs! Thanks so much for joining the Rock 'N Share party...hope to see you again soon! Blessings, D@TheShadyPorch P.S. - Following via G+ and Twitter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the party, the follow and the lovely words, D! They are all appreciated!
DeleteReally creative idea! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI also love your red stools .. I am about to refinish mine and was going to use red paint, but love this red stain. Did you do it yourself? If so, what is it please?
Marilyn
Marilyn, I would love to take credit for those lovely red stools, but they are from Pottery Barn and they came right home from the store in that color. I can tell you that I did work at Pottery Barn and they are very open with their colors and if you call them they will tell you what color stain they used, if they can. Good luck!
DeleteWhat a great idea, I never would have guessed, they are beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up to my Furniture & Paint Party! Hope to see you again soon.
Brooke
startathome.blogspot.com
It's my little cheating secret, Brooke! ;) Thanks for the party!
DeleteWhat did you use for the towel racks?
ReplyDeleteThey are basic wooden towel bars from the bathroom aisle at Home Depot.
DeleteWhat a nice idea! I really like the balusters to legs thing. I don't have a kitchen big enough to have an island. I do use an old drop-leaf farm table as my 'island'. I put up the leaves when I need the extra space to work or eat, and drop them when I don't. (I have it against a short wall, not in the center of the kitchen.) It looks nice and is quite functional.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen! Your island sounds lovely and super charming! It's very creative and it sounds like it works perfectly for you. Thanks so much for sharing!! :)
DeleteHi Kim, thanks for bringing me back to all of these great posts that I missed. We are re-doing the kitchen (again) funny how that happens alot around here, and I am wanting an island. I have thought of using an old table that we have but even though the width is right, it is way too short. Now you have given me a great idea and yours looks so good that I can't help but be successful in this..Happy Weekend..Judy
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled with our (old) new (table) island, Judy! It was super inexpensive and fit perfectly. I say give it a shot! :)
DeleteKim, if I were to list all the things in my house/to do list that came from you, I'd have to rename my list to "Kim's brilliant ideas!"
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy!! :)
DeleteGreat idea Kim! Maybe in the island's next iteration, you could add a stone top so you won't ever need to refinish it again :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sara, interesting idea! I like the wood, but stone sounds cool. Will have to put that on our "what if..." list! Great suggestion!
Delete