How to build a kitchen island

Need more space to roll out your homemade creations? Here’s how to make a spacious kitchen island that gives you lots of room for baking and your favorite cookbooks.

A kitchen with a white island with a wooden countertop with baking tools, glass containers and a black pestle and mortar.

A DIY multipurpose kitchen island

A kitchen island is perfect for baking on and storing your cookbooks and baking tools.

See the SEKTION system

A close-up of a white kitchen island with a wooden countertop showing open cabinets storing cookbooks.

See the SEKTION system

Step 1: build the frame

Build a 39 inch x 23 1/2 inch wooden frame and fasten it to the floor.

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A black and white illustration of a 39 inch x 23 inch wooden frame.

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Step 2: build the cabinet frames

Stack 6 SEKTION wall cabinet frames (15 inches x 15 inches each) in 2 rows of 3, then screw them tightly together where the arrows indicate. Do the same thing with a group of 6 more cabinets.

See the SEKTION system

An illustration of 12 IKEA SEKTION cabinets in 2 rows of 3 on each side. Arrows indicate how to attach them together.

See the SEKTION system

Step 3: screw the cabinet frames together

Place the 2 groups of cabinets back-to-back, and screw them together. You can use one side to store cookbooks and the other for baking tools.

See the SEKTION system

A black and white illustration of a screw and bolt plus a drawing of cabinets stacked on top of each other.

See the SEKTION system

Steps 4 and 5: mount the base

Mount the island’s base onto the frame and secure it by screwing them together according to the arrows in the image. Do the same for the 3 cabinets on the other side. Place a cover panel on each end (may need to be cut to size) to hide the joints and create a clean finish.

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A black and white illustration of cabinets combined together to form a kitchen island on top of a frame.

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Step 6: add a countertop

Add a countertop that’s just slightly larger than the base, and screw them together to fasten where the arrows in the image indicate. Do the same for the 3 upper cabinets on the other side. Get baking!

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An illustration of cabinets forming an island on top of a frame with a cover panel on the side and a larger countertop.

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We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA limited warranties and your right to return the products will be lost.