Old Base Cabinets Repurposed to Kitchen Island

by Carissa Harris

I took a pair of old base cabinets pulled from my brother's home renovation (free!!!). These cabinets were from the 50's, and were molded and stained, and not even the same height. They were really rough and starting to fall apart. I cleaned them up, leveled them, painted, added new hardware, legs, and a wooden top. I am extremely pleased with how it turned out, and can't wait to paint the rest of the cabinets in the kitchen to match.

These cabinets were in really rough shape, but solid enough to work with. And they were free.

The Yuengling was an essential tool. ;)

I added plywood and connected the cabinets, and made them the same height.

I added beadboard and trim.

old base cabinets repurposed to kitchen island, I got some outdoor deck posts to use for legs which were much cheaper than other leg options they just needed extra sanding This is just getting an idea how they will look

I got some outdoor deck posts to use for legs, which were much cheaper than other leg options, they just needed extra sanding. This is just getting an idea how they will look.

Getting an idea of how the legs will look, and how far to have the top extend from the cabinets.

Everything was sanded and got two coats of Bin primer.

I painted the legs and cabinets and attached new hardware.

old base cabinets repurposed to kitchen island, The top was made from red oak boards glued together using a biscuit joiner and wood glue It was sanded prestained stained dark walnut with 3 coats of polyurethane Legs aren t attached yet just shows how it will attach

The top was made from red oak boards, glued together using a biscuit joiner and wood glue. It was sanded, prestained, stained dark walnut, with 3 coats of polyurethane. Legs aren't attached yet, just shows how it will attach.

old base cabinets repurposed to kitchen island, Final result Very pleased with how this turned out Now I am working on stools to match and then getting started on painting the rest of my kitchen cabinets

Final result!!! Very pleased with how this turned out. Now I am working on stools to match, and then getting started on painting the rest of my kitchen cabinets.

We added a rustic looking bottle opener to the side.

old base cabinets repurposed to kitchen island

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3 questions

Drew Walters on Feb 07, 2016
Sorry if this is a repeat but I'm new to the site so not sure if it went through. How long did the project take?

2
Lorraine Aha on Apr 08, 2016
Why is one of the drawers missing?

4
Edianna Yantis on Mar 28, 2017

What are you going to do with the top drawer space you left open?

2

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Ski13871806 on Nov 06, 2016
This idea could be used for a work bench in the garage. the draws would a good place for your power tools or tools used frequently. Paint it a red or a favorite guy color, also add heavy duty wheels. Look for these items at Habitat for Humanity store or Goodwill store.

1 Reply
San15504650 on Dec 31, 2016
Very smart idea no room for it but always looking at them!

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