DIY: How to Add Shiplap to Your Kitchen Island

Do you have a plain builder-grade kitchen island? This tutorial will show you how to add shiplap to your kitchen island to achieve a custom, farmhouse look on a budget.

Kitchen Island Before

• The Kitchen Island before was very basic builder grade.

Remove Existing Trim and Outlet Covers

1. Turn off the electricity to the kitchen island and remove the electrical outlet covers.
2. Remove the trim by first scoring the caulk line with a razor blade and then using a 6-in-1 tool and a hammer to pry off the trim.

Install Shiplap Boards

1. For "shiplap" we had sheets of 1/4 inch plywood sheets ripped down into 5 inch boards at our local Lowe's.
2. Prior to installing the shiplap boards, sand the edges with medium grit sandpaper until completely smooth.
3. Use liquid nails and a brad nailer to attach the shiplap boards to the kitchen island.

Install Shiplap Boards

1. Continue to install shiplap boards from the bottom to the top.

Space Shiplap Boards

1. Evenly space shiplap boards using either tile spacers or a nickel (like we did here).

Cut Shiplap Boards to Allow for Outlets

1. Use a jigsaw to cut out the areas around electrical outlets and/or corbels on the kitchen island.

Continue to work your way up (and cut around outlets and corbels) until the entire kitchen island is covered in shiplap boards.

Trim Edges with MDF and Add Shoe Molding

1. Trim the bottom and the vertical edges with primed MDF board.
2. Install shoe molding (if desired).

Caulk Edges

1. Caulk edges where the MDF trim meets the shiplap.
2. Tip: Use painter's tape to ensure a perfectly straight caulk line.

Prime and Paint Kitchen Island

1. Prime kitchen island using BullsEye 123 Zinsser Primer
2. Paint entire kitchen island (we used Sherwin Williams Extra White semi-gloss).
3. After the paint has dried, reinstall the outlet covers.

Kitchen Island After

Kitchen Island After

• Farmhouse-style, custom shiplap kitchen island.

For more photos and a detailed step-by-step tutorial, head to my blog!