How to Build an Oak Countertop for an Island

Measure your kitchen island and add the amount of overhang you want for each side. Be sure to take into account the overall look of the room and how much space will be taken up by the island’s overhang.

Obtain either a solid piece of oak countertop or two slats for combining, depending on the size of your island. You can either order finished countertop from manufacturers or an unfinished countertop piece from a lumber yard.

Round off the edges of the countertop with either an edger or a router. If using a router, slowly shave away the edges to avoid cracking the wood. The goal is a completely rounded edge and corners.

Sand down the top, sides and bottom of the overhang with an orbital sander. Start with the 90 grit, sanding with the grain to remove any splinters or imperfections and work your way up to the 250 grit. If your countertop is pre-finished, you can skip this step.

Stain the oak and seal or cover in food-grade mineral oil to finish off the wood. Sealed wood requires minimal care and is stain-resistant. Wood treated with mineral oil requires monthly maintenance but is ideal for rolling out doughs.

Position the island into place on your cabinetry. Secure the island into place with L-brackets positioned on the inside of the cabinetry and wood screws holding the brackets against the cabinetry and the counter top. Make sure that the screws you use are at least 1/4 inch shorter than the countertop.