How to Make Your Own Kitchen Island With a Breakfast Counter

Building Island Frame

• 1

  Arrange four 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-32 1/2-inch boards in a square on the working surface with their largest surfaces facing downward. Have each board butt into one other board so that they form a 36-inch square frame. Drill two holes through each frame board into the end of the frame board which butts up against it. Screw 5-inch wood screws through these holes to attach the frame boards together.

• 2

  Set a 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-29-inch board within the frame with its largest surface facing down. Drill two holes through the frame and into each end of this central support board. Screw the central board to the frame by tightening 5-inch screws in each of the holes. Repeat these steps to create another frame board with a central support.

• 3

  Use an assistant to stand up the two frame boards on their sides, parallel to each other. Position a 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-15-inch board in between the two frame boards, in each corner with the largest surfaces facing upward. Drill two holes through the frame boards and into each end of these short support boards. Attach them in place with 5-inch wood screws.

• 4

  Repeat the previous procedure to add four more 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-15-inch boards on the center of each side of the frame.

Covering Island Frame

• 5

  Set a 1/2-by-36-by-36-inch plywood sheet against one side of the frame. Drill holes every 12 inches into the plywood and into the frame boards. Screw the plywood to the frame with 1 1/2-inch screws. Repeat for the opposite side of the island.

• 6

  Set a 1/2-by-19-by-36-inch plywood sheet against one of the thin sides of the frame. Drill holes every 12 inches into the frame boards underneath through the plywood. Screw the plywood to the island using 1 1/2-inch screws in each hole. Repeat with another 1/2-by-19-by-36-inch board on the other side.

• 7

  Flip the island upside down. Arrange a 1/2-by-19-by-37-inch plywood sheet on the bottom of the island. Attach it to the frame by drilling holes every 12 inches into the frame and then screwing 1 1/2-inch wood screws into each hole.

• 8

  Flip the island back upright, and set the countertop on top of the island, with one sie of the countertop sticking off the side by at least 10 inches to be the breakfast counter. Attach the countertop by drilling up and into it and screwing it on with 1-inch wood screws if the countertop is wood. If the countertop is not wood, use a glue to attach it and clamp it overnight to secure it properly.