How to Use a Center Island as a Kitchen Table Design

Transforming a center island into a dual-purpose work-surface-cum-kitchen-table/dining-surface is a great way to update your home, increase its value at a low cost, create more storage space and add functionality to your kitchen. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Extending Your Island

1

Expand a center island--in the simplest way--into a dual-purpose component by extending one side of the island to accommodate new leg room; instantly, your work surface also becomes a dining surface, called a "breakfast bar." Add some cabinets or shelves halfway under the extended table surface to provide additional support. Another option: add two table legs onto the new corners. A third option: add everything--shelves, cabinet and table legs.

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Create that cohesive look between mismatched surfaces (old center island vs. new extension) with a new finish to all surfaces by repainting or refinishing. Then add a marble top to both surfaces.

3




Decide on cabinets/shelves or new table legs for exciting design possibilities. But choose a design consistent with the rest of your kitchen theme--shiny metal table legs clash with country-style themes.

The Two-Tier Island

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Two-tier island

Create a physical barrier between cooking and dining surfaces: build a two-tiered center island. The top tier becomes your breakfast bar; while the lower is your prep area. A pretty back splash connects the two tiers, making your new island more functional, sanitary and easy to clean.

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Place a table behind the current island. Maintain a minimum 6-inch height difference. Try a narrow foyer table or build a raised counter. You can add shelves/cabinets underneath, but leave enough leg room. Repaint/refinish all surfaces using one cohesive material/color, visually creating a single new unit--no one will ever guess that you simply incorporated an addition.

6

Add bar stools and pendant lights as final touches, whether you merely extend your current center island or create a two-tiered center. You now have a tres chic, updated kitchen.