bargin basement kitchen island

[jimr]

We remodeled our kitchen last year and momma wanted to add an island but at the time $$ was tight. I saw a place advertising freight damaged cabinets in the paper and yesterday we took a ride to see what they had. I found 3 base cabinets that were in great shape 1 is 18? and has 4 drawers and 1 24? with a drawer and 2 pull out trays and the last is 18? with drawer and door. they were only?. get this $40 each (cheaper than I could build them. For a top I picked up a 7? x 30? solid core oak door for $30. I went to lowes today and bought a sheet of 1/4? ply for $22 and a quart of spar urathane. If we don?t like how the top turns out I am going to put laminate on it. I still need to make some trim for it but for under $200 we now have an Island. here it is

 

[jsfinn]

Re: bargin basement kitchen island

Nice! Thrifty projects are my favorite!

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: bargin basement kitchen island

That looks great Jim. With the way it is looking in that photo I'd leave off the idea of laminating it.
That said, if you do want a 'hard surface' on the island, then consider laminating 3/4 of it or so and leaving an exposed area of the oak as a 'built-in by design' cutting board. Maybe in a 24" x 20" area or something like that. That way you get the best of both surfaces and a cutting board built into the top in a handy spot looks kind of professional sometimes.
Looks great either way.
BP

 

[WizeOne]

Re: bargin basement kitchen island

I would laminate it now and use a portable cutting board, otherwise it will get ugly fast and make it difficult to later laminate it. Besides you do not want to use a varnished board for cutting.