Free Easy DIY Kitchen Island Plans You Wish Knew Sooner

By STACY FISHER

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.

Farmhouse Kitchen Island

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.

A distressed farmhouse style kitchen island

Wood Countertop Kitchen Island

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.

A kitchen island with two drawers and shelves

DIY Rolling Kitchen Island

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.

A wooden kitchen island on wheels

Kitchen Island With Trash Storage

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.

A kitchen island with trash storage

Rustic Kitchen Table Island

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.

A wooden kitchen island with a large shelf on the bottom

DIY Butcher Block Kitchen Island

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.

A white kitchen with a DIY kitchen island

Kitchen Cart Build

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.

Wooden counter and stove in modern kitchen

Base Cabinet Kitchen Island

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.

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.

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.