How to Turn a Bookshelf into a Kitchen Island

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See how I transformed an old bookshelf into a kitchen island. Perfect for extra workspace and storage in a small space.

DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island

This post is the epitome of why I love a good DIY project. Repurposing old into new, being able to use my creativity, and saving money in the process is what it’s all about!

My taste in home décor changes from time to time, so I am always looking at ways to flip a piece I already have and try to make it fit a new style. I tend to let unused pieces sit in our basement for long periods of time. But before I get rid of them I play around with a few ideas.

Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. That’s just the name of the game! I always figure, what’s the harm in making a last ditch effort!?

This bookcase hadn’t seen the light of day in years. It was a good sturdy piece that I bought at Target so long ago. I had a few ideas for it, but didn’t have the perfect spot for it.

Then I had one of those ah-ha moments and hauled it upstairs to our kitchen, and bingo! The perfect fit for a little bookshelf kitchen island! And our kitchen sure needed it!

Supplies Needed for Bookshelf Kitchen Island

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Instructions for Bookshelf Kitchen Island

  • I started by wiping down the bookshelf with a damp rag to remove dust, then used spray primer to prime the piece so the paint would stick better (especially since this bookshelf had parts that were slick laminate).
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
  • Before I primed it, I didn’t know what my exact end look would be, but I ended up removing the back paneling of the bookshelf to create an open shelf look.
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
  • To give the sides of the bookshelf some added character, I ended up going with a shiplap look.  I used 1/4in thick plywood that I measured to the size I wanted and cut with a saw, then sanded the edges smooth.
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
  • Next, I used liquid nails and clamps to attach the shiplap to the sides and inside. I used nickels as spacers in between each piece of shiplap.
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
  • After the plywood was glued on and secured, I caulked the edges to give it a smooth, clean finish.
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
  • Next up, it was time to paint. I used my paint sprayer and white paint to get that flawless finish I was hoping for. Of course you don’t need a paint sprayer for this step, but it does make things much quicker and easier!
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
  • For the top, I just cut a piece of wood and stained it with my favorite wood stain, then attached it to the top of the bookshelf with Liquid Nails.
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar

Why Turn a Bookshelf into a Kitchen Island?

  • Great for smaller kitchens.
  • Provides extra storage and workspace.
  • Saves money utilizing something you already have, rather than buying something new.
  • Completely customizable to your needs and style.
  • Can move around (you can even add wheels to the bottom).
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar
DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar

I really enjoyed this easy DIY project. It made such a huge impact to our kitchen and its functionality. We use the island everyday for extra workspace and it just fits so nicely. It was meant to be!

DIY Bookshelf Kitchen Island via Little Glass Jar

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19 Comments

  1. I know that this is an old post but I am so thankful that I found it. I have this exact bookcase as I, too, had a period of everything espresso and was thinking of turning it into a kitchen island so to find this post with my exact bookcase was wonderful. I don’t have a paint sprayer though.

    1. That is so great to hear! And you absolutely don’t need a paint sprayer for this project! Just some primer and good old can of spray paint would do fine! Or regular paint! Whatever works for you!

  2. I had the same exact book shelf! Saw this and couldn’t help but turn it into an island! The only thing I did different is I didn’t do the plank look on the sides (too lazy honestly lol), and I cut off the legs and used liquid nails to glue some finished wood to the bottom so that I could put wheels on it. LOVE IT!

  3. I love, love, love your kitchen island project Ashley. I need a kitchen island for food preparation, as I have very limited counter space in my small kitchen. I absolutely love the detail you give on how to DIY.

    On another note: Can you tell me what kind of counter tops you have in your kitchen area? What color are they & what material are they made of? They would go perfectly in my kitchen & give it a much needed updated look?

    Thank you for the inspiration.

  4. This is so clever. I miss having an island. This would be perfect for our kitchen. We need something narrow and this fits the bill.

  5. I absolutely LOVE this! I was surfing around yesterday and stumbled on your blog-a new favorite! This is the cutest thing ever-great great job!

  6. Absolutely stunning!! Love it. This is the perfect idea for my very small kitchen and I will be pinning this to copy. Thanks so much for sharing this idea.

    1. In complete agreement. Now I am torn between using an old, smaller dresser for an island, or this. I have come to love my tiny kitchen but more storage is ALWAYS plus. This is perfect for the space and extra sorage. Beautifully done.

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