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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Kitchen Island made from Desk

    Kitchen Island made from Desk

    Published by Gail | Published November 3, 2010 | Updated February 22, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    If you have an old desk, but need a kitchen island, this tutorial will show you how to turn that desk into an island. Even a beginner can do this project. #myrepurposedlife #repurposed #upcycle #desk #kitchenisland via @repurposedlife

    Do you know how make a kitchen island out of a desk? It may seem a little difficult, but it's really not so bad.

    Vintage Desk

    Let’s revisit yesterday’s post about building a kitchen island from a desk.

     I took the desk from jamie’s room.

    Kitchen Island Made from a Desk

     I added a little of this and that.

     Used some fabulous Gorilla Wood Glue to glue some luan on top of the ugly OSB.

    Add Wheels

     Put it all on some casters.

    Embellish Kitchen Island with New Trim

     I added a little trim here and there.

    Time for Paint

     I painted it with primer.

     Painted the drawers with primer.

    pin it!

    Gray Kitchen Island

     Voila!

     The color is gray (Glidden Heather Gray mixed with a little Glidden oops gray)  even though it doesn’t look like it in this picture.

     The back.

     After getting it inside, I see that I may need to trim out the inside of this area with some bead board to give it a more finished look. It’s amazing what you don’t see until you take a few pictures.
    Look at those wonderful drawers! I will be able to organize throw all my stuff in there. Perhaps I can keep all my paint brushes,  Gorilla Glue, etc stashed away, but in easy reach!

    And during the holidays we will have a great place to serve up our feasts!

     So, there you have it. My DIY Kitchen Island-Bar-Craft Station.

    You can see how I made the top in my post DIY Kitchen Island (top)

    gail

    Updates

    Edited to add (June 10, 2012)

    After 18 months of not liking the color, I painted my island black.

    I have also added some DIY  barn doors and painted my blue counter tops with a faux granite paint.

    I’m loving the new color of my island. You can see more of the counter tops in this picture. I also installed board and batten for my back splash.

    The kitchen island has yet another update. I painted it glazed red, added a new top and a window for the knee hole door!

    If you are looking for other repurposed desk ideas, see these projects:

    repurposed desk into a dressing table

    Turn an old desk into a dressing table or small chest.

    Use an old desk as a potting bench

    Turn an old desk into a tall lingerie chest

    Related Content: See More Desk Projects Here

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. dee dee

      January 26, 2015 at 10:22 am

      Dang! i just got rid of one almost identical to what you started with! Great idea! love it!

      Reply
    2. Deanna

      May 15, 2014 at 9:33 pm

      Ur a genius! Love it. Can I ask, what fid u use for the legs/feet on the desk/island?

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.net

        May 15, 2014 at 9:46 pm

        thanks!
        check out how I started the island here: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2010/11/diy-kitchen-island.html

    3. EDGAR

      September 03, 2013 at 10:51 pm

      WOW GIRL, YOU DID IT AGAIN, LOVE YOUR WORK, THAT IS AWESOME, LOVE IT, MARAVILLOSO (SPANISH FOR WONDERFUL) IS AMAZING, WELL YOU ARE AMAZING

      Reply
    4. Nanciscruffydog

      October 16, 2011 at 5:41 pm

      This is a GREAT idea!!! Wow! LOVE it!!!!!

      Reply
    5. Susan @ homeroad.net

      July 14, 2011 at 10:53 am

      I LOVE this! It came out so beautifully! I would store my trash can in that big space inside too! Love it!
      Susan

      Reply
    6. Shawna

      January 22, 2011 at 6:32 pm

      I'm in LOVE!

      Reply
    7. Mandy Coffey

      December 01, 2010 at 4:46 pm

      i'm really diggin' on this creativity!!! I'll be featuring it on my blog 12/11 smallfineprint.blogspot.com

      Reply
    8. Laurie at Turner Farm

      November 22, 2010 at 3:14 pm

      Congrats on making the TOP 10 at The DIY Club. You do amazing work girl, love it.

      Reply
    9. The DIY Show Off

      November 21, 2010 at 1:25 am

      You're amazing, Gail. Yet another masterpiece! I love it - the top is my favorite but using the desk was genius! 😉

      Roeshel

      Reply
    10. Amanda Ergenbright

      November 14, 2010 at 9:10 pm

      That is wonderful!! I especially love the top. Nice job. 🙂

      Reply
    11. Infarrantly Creative

      November 14, 2010 at 3:44 am

      Thinking outside the desk! I love it. I love the barn board top. I am digging two tones lately.

      Reply
    12. Uhleah

      November 10, 2010 at 4:42 pm

      That is awesome! What a great idea and fabulous result!

      Reply
    13. gena

      November 09, 2010 at 4:43 am

      Wow - what a great idea ! I have my son's old desk in the guest room.... hmmmmmmmmm a craft cart for my craft room......... You got me thinking !

      thanks for sharing ! I'm your newest follower !!!!
      gena
      http://www.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com

      Reply
    14. Cristie

      November 08, 2010 at 7:27 pm

      What a great job you did on your kitchen island. I love it!

      Reply
    15. Amy Meyer

      November 08, 2010 at 12:49 pm

      That is an amazing transformation! Great job and thanks sharing!

      Reply
    16. Michelle @Shellsshabbyshack

      November 08, 2010 at 12:35 am

      How clever is that?! I love the top and the beadboard gives it personality. Function meets fabulous!

      Reply
    17. Laurie at Turner Farm

      November 05, 2010 at 7:43 pm

      Gail, you ROCK! This is fantabulous! Great work again!

      Reply
    18. Suzan

      November 05, 2010 at 9:41 am

      I can't stand it! That is amazing!!

      Reply
    19. Kim @ Second Time Furniture

      November 05, 2010 at 3:40 am

      Wow! I never would have thought of that! I love the beadboard!

      Reply
    20. Becca

      November 04, 2010 at 11:21 pm

      LOVE THIS!!! Thanks for linking! I'll be featuring this Tutorial on Nov. 11th on BCD!

      Becca

      Reply
    21. Tricia

      November 04, 2010 at 8:21 pm

      Gail, it's so fantastic! I especially love the top, and for $2, how could I not?!
      Love it!

      xo*t

      Reply
    22. TruWhim

      November 04, 2010 at 4:32 pm

      Once again you hit it out of the park. Really creative.

      Reply
    23. cockermom

      November 04, 2010 at 2:18 pm

      I love that top! I did this for my kitchen cabinets a few years ago and I still love it! I have a 14' counter and it was gonna cost a fortune for a new one, I saw this on HGTV and decided to give it a go, got it all done for under $100! I never thought to make a rolling bar to match for it tho....now my brain is working again....lol

      Reply
    24. Leah

      November 04, 2010 at 2:28 am

      That is awesome!! I want an island for my kitchen so bad but I never would have thought to use a desk. You truly are inspiring.

      Reply
    25. I Play Outside The Box

      November 04, 2010 at 1:53 am

      Now I won't get any sleep tonight!!! I know better than to come here at this hour....you get my head to spinnin'!

      Reply
    26. Megandvd@Beauty in the Attempt

      November 04, 2010 at 12:57 am

      My goodness...you are most definitely the QUEEN of repurposing...I am just thrilled to be in your court -- or am I just beyond the drawbridge? LOVE THIS!!!! The top is BRILLIANT. I am always amazed how you can see so much in the possibility.

      Cheers~
      e

      Reply
    27. Diann

      November 04, 2010 at 12:24 am

      Another awesome and inspiring transformation Gail!!

      Reply
    28. Homemade Quilts by Granny

      November 03, 2010 at 11:04 pm

      Wow that's amazing. I want one to go in my new kitchen. I have been looking on craigslist to find one....(talking to myself) wouldn't it be marvelous if I could make my own like Gail can....I'm thinking just maybe I can....I can at least try. Gail you're a very talented lady. 🙂
      God Bless Trish

      Reply
    29. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal

      November 03, 2010 at 9:17 pm

      Bravo!! Love that you used a desk. Leave it to you to think outside the box. Love the top too. Leave us hanging on how you did it. That's okay, I'll wait.

      Reply
    30. The Rusty Teapot

      November 03, 2010 at 8:56 pm

      This Kitchen Island is BETTER than the ones Iv'e seen in the store. Just beautiful, thanks for showing us the completed piece.

      Reply
    31. The Rusty Teapot

      November 03, 2010 at 8:56 pm

      This Kitchen Island is BETTER than the ones Iv'e seen in the store. Just beautiful, thanks for showing us the completed piece.

      Reply
    32. DiddleDaddleDesigns

      November 03, 2010 at 8:01 pm

      Looks great. Just shows what you can do with a little imagination. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    33. Jill

      November 03, 2010 at 4:58 pm

      Gail! This is so beautiful! I love the way to top looks! I think it'll only improve with time and as it gets "love dings" in it! The beadboard is the perfect touch. Reading blogs like yours makes me never want to pay full price for furniture ever again!

      Reply
    34. Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking

      November 03, 2010 at 4:28 pm

      Love it Gail... the top is so pretty too!

      Reply
    35. Suzanne@Meridian Road

      November 03, 2010 at 2:22 pm

      That is cool! I love the planks on the top~who knew a desk would make such a great addition to a kitchen?

      Reply
    36. Chrissie

      November 03, 2010 at 1:39 pm

      You never cease to amaze me! What a great transformation, your island is wonderful!!!

      Reply
    37. Jeanne Nelson

      November 03, 2010 at 1:24 pm

      What an wonderful new piece! I can imagine this will be a peace you and your family will enjoy for many years.

      Reply
    38. Terri

      November 03, 2010 at 1:14 pm

      Wow, you craftsmanship never ceases to amaze me. A great job on this one!!

      Reply
    39. Kathy

      November 03, 2010 at 12:48 pm

      Gail, you knocked that one out of the park!! What an amazing transformation. I like that it is on rollers so it can be moved where ever you need it. Wish my brain worked as creatively as yours.

      Reply
    40. A Pretty Pastime

      November 03, 2010 at 12:42 pm

      OMG Gail you are SO clever! Your kitchen island is amazing! Very nice!

      Reply
    41. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      November 03, 2010 at 12:34 pm

      gail it looks fantastic! the rustic top is my favorite new addition. just beautiful! and you get to look at it every day, and sigh to yourself and think, "yup, i made that!".

      Reply
    42. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      November 03, 2010 at 12:34 pm

      gail it looks fantastic! the rustic top is my favorite new addition. just beautiful! and you get to look at it every day, and sigh to yourself and think, "yup, i made that!".

      Reply
    43. Denise

      November 03, 2010 at 12:18 pm

      Another great completed project. This kitchen is going to be great!

      Reply
    44. Shannon

      November 03, 2010 at 12:17 pm

      Last night, I showed Dustin the Facebook picture of this and had him guess what you started with. I can't remember what he guessed (I've slept since then:)) but he never even considered that there was a desk in there somewhere! 🙂

      Great job on this. I can spot things that would look better with a paint job on them... but, after 'watching' you work, I'm trying to look a little deeper and repurpose even more. Thanks for all the inspiration! 🙂

      Reply
    45. Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic

      November 03, 2010 at 12:16 pm

      Bravo! The desk is no more. Now it's the perfect little island/craft station.
      Great job on this one, you deserve a break today after all that work!

      Reply
    46. Reenie

      November 03, 2010 at 12:07 pm

      You continue to amaze me....looks great 🙂

      Reply
    47. One Life Many Journeys

      November 03, 2010 at 11:41 am

      Amazing! Do you brush roll or spray your paint? What kind of sprayer if that is what you use? THANKS!

      Reply
    48. Something Nice and Pretty

      November 03, 2010 at 11:33 am

      So lovely...makes you feel like anyone can do it, love the color paint and the top, I'll check back to see how you did it! Great job!

      Rondell

      Reply
    49. MostlySunny

      November 03, 2010 at 11:26 am

      Oh my--it turned out sooooo lovely!!!!!!! you are most creative and talented! great job!

      Reply
    50. kathie

      November 03, 2010 at 11:08 am

      Fabulous!!! I love it! What did you use to make the top? I really like the look of it, and knowing you, I'm sure it didn't cost a fortune 🙂 You did an amazing job with it, and it is going to be so functional for you!

      Reply
    51. Coleen's Corner

      November 03, 2010 at 10:59 am

      Beautiful!

      Reply
    52. Anji Johnston

      November 03, 2010 at 10:51 am

      You are totally amazing!

      Reply
    53. My Cottage Charm

      November 03, 2010 at 10:47 am

      Gail, you rocked it out! 🙂 I LOVE the top you did, much better than butcher block! I'm passing along your blog post to a new reader of mine. She said I inspired her to build an island from a study desk, so I though yours would make her very happy! 🙂
      Have a great one my friend...try and take it easy for a day or so! 🙂
      Love ya
      Missy

      Reply
    54. ziggy2407

      November 03, 2010 at 10:46 am

      Love it and wish you were a real-life friend - definitely need some of your inspiration and talent.

      Great work, well done

      Reply
    55. Proper Prim

      November 03, 2010 at 9:53 am

      Gail you totally aced this one... looks spectacular... I am trying to find new works... I could say fabulous, fantastic, awesome, magnificant but I would only be repeating myself because all your projects are all of the above.

      Great job... now I really can't wait to see what is next.

      Reply
    56. Vicki ♥

      November 03, 2010 at 7:46 am

      I love it!! I have been following your progress with this one and was keen to see it done. You are just the cleverest repurposer there is 🙂

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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