9 Ways to Use IKEA Parts to Build the Kitchen Island of Your Dreams

A kitchen island can provide invaluable utility to a kitchen. Don’t have one in your kitchen? IKEA products can help. Here are nine ideas — from a simple coat of paint to total makeovers — for creating the kitchen island of your dreams using IKEA products.

Let’s start things off on a fancy note. This graceful island was made by topping a dining table underframe with “a custom-made cultured marble top.” Add a towel bar, a slatted shelf, and gold-painted casters (of course) for additional utility and luxury.

A KALLAX with the middle cubbies removed — and pretty gold casters added — serves multiple functions as it’s rolled around the kitchen. The minimal piece provides extra workspace and can be used for dining in a small space.

This very functional island is made out of a KALLAX, two KALLAX inserts with doors, a four-pack of RILL castors, two GRUNDTAL rails, and two LÄMPLIG chopping boards. All for approximately $102.

A run-of-the-mill IKEA cart becomes a glam island, thanks to the magic of gold spray paint and marble contact paper. This exact cart is no longer available, but the PS 2017 or SUNNERSTA could work.

In this sunny Montreal kitchen, two IKEA trestles and a shelf form a kitchen island that provides ample seating and counter space.

Here’s the same concept taken to another level: Two FINNVARD Trestles are topped with two pieces of wood, creating both a workspace and a storage space. The shelves at the very bottom — which come with the trestles — make the perfect wine racks.

Does painting count as hacking? This duo-tone paint job certainly elevates the humble FÖRHÖJA Cart to an elegant island.

There are a lot of islands out there made of KALLAX shelf units, but this one has added legs, and they really — forgive me — elevate the whole thing. IKEA sells similar stainless steel legs and more ornate white legs, as well as the LÄMPLIG cutting boards you’ll need to make the top.

Two of the ubiquitous LACK coffee tables are stacked on top of each other and topped with marble contact paper to create a greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts island. The Lack is currently available in black and white, so go nuts.

This post originally ran on Apartment Therapy. See it here: Can’t Find (or Afford) the Kitchen Island of Your Dreams? Make One from IKEA Parts