Kitchen Island from a Dresser

• By Joan
• November 2, 2023
• 7 Comments

Kitchen Island from a Dresser

Welcome back friends, today I’m sharing with you a kitchen island made from a dresser.  This is my victim, he is about to get his extreme makeover.

It was only about a year ago that I shared with you my last kitchen island from a dresser.  This one is even easier because I did not have to construct the countertop and I didn’t make the counter width any deeper than it already was.

I had been on the lookout for a dresser or buffet with clean lines, solid wood,  a width that could easily seat three people and it had to be about counter height.  This fit most of my criteria but since I bought it from an online auction I had to just go on pictures.  

I admit, when I first saw this dresser I thought that it was way too nice to make a kitchen island out of.  With it loaded in the back of the car, there was no turning back now.

For all of you purists out there thinking I destroyed a perfectly fine piece of wooden furniture, this is the particle board that lurks beneath.

I like my kitchen furniture to sit flush with the floor so that all the food crumbs don’t accumulate underneath.  These little risers had to go.   Truth be told, I regretted that decision later on  but I’ll get to that in a second.

The finish on this dresser was extremely slick.  If I had any hopes at all of having the paint adhere it would need a thorough sanding.

Most of the change to this dresser will come on the back.  Most dressers were never meant to sit out in the middle of a room.

I could use the existing backer board if I moved it down an inch or 2.  Sorry I didn’t take a picture, but it currently ended where the last bottom support was .

This is the basic idea.  Use horizontal wood pieces to mimic the side pieces currently on the dresser and to make it look like they wrap all the way around.   Now that the backer board has been moved down, the horizontal slats will cover the edges. The vertical slats are for added interest and give a board and batten look.

Now onto the project.  I renailed on the backer board making a note where the horizontal slats were located.  I’m going to need these to nail on the vertical pieces.

For this project I used 2 1×4’s the width of the dresser and 5 pieces of 1×3’s cut the height of the dresser between the horizontal slats.  You’ll also need caulk, chalk paint, wax and knobs if you’re changing yours out.

I am using the 1×4’s because that is the current width of the trim on the bottom and the top of the dresser.  Place the 1×4’s to make the trim look continuous.  The 1×3’s line up with the edge of the dresser and are spaced evenly along the back.

Use builders adhesive to adhere the boards to the dresser or use finishing nails and attach to the wood supports in the dresser.  If you use nails, fill with wood filler, let dry and sand.

Any gaps between the wood and the backer board should be filled with caulk before painting.  Sand any splintery edges paying close attention to the corners and softening the edges.

Paint as desired.  This is Behr chalk paint finished with a clear wax.

Now for the cutting off the feet problem.  I was anticipating a thicker countertop like the one I used on my last dresser island. Also, the kitchen counters I was making this island for were an inch over standard height.  Some old 2×4’s came to the rescue.  I mitered the corners, then to give a little interest ran them thru the table saw twice to give a slight groove.  Painted green to match the rest of the cabinet you would never notice my oopsie and the crumbs still can’t get under the cabinet.

New knobs complete the look.

The kitchen island from a dresser was completed with a new countertop which was ordered when the countertop in the rest of the kitchen was replaced.

The island now serves as a prep and gathering area for family.

The  family dining area was moved out of the kitchen and into, what the former owners were using as part of the living room.

Until next time, stay inspired.

One more thing…I did get a chance to hang my birdhouses from last week so I thought I’d share. Now I’m thinking that door really needs to be a different color, and maybe a little deck or landing out front, it has wiring for a light  and maybe something over the door…

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Upcycled Dresser and Door Kitchen Island Part 2 Abandoned, Neglected and Ready for a Makeover DIY Upcycled Dresser Kitchen Island Part 1 New Life for an Old File Cabinet