• About
  • Press
  • Disclosures
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Project Gallery
    • DIY Projects
    • Furniture Makeovers
    • Organization
  • Decorating
    • Room Reveals
    • Room Updates
    • Shopping Guides
    • Tips & Tricks
  • Seasonal
    • Fall
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Winter
  • Lifestyle
    • IVF
    • Motherhood
    • Recipes
  • Shop
    • Shop Our Home
    • Amazon Storefront
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Little Glass Jar

Little Glass Jar

Creation & Inspiration For Your Home

  • Project Gallery
    • DIY Projects
    • Furniture Makeovers
    • Organization
  • Decorating
    • Room Reveals
    • Room Updates
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Shopping Guides
  • Seasonal
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
  • Lifestyle
    • Recipes
    • IVF
    • Motherhood
  • Shop
    • Shop Our Home
    • Amazon Storefront
Home » Furniture Makeovers » How to Turn a Bookshelf into a Kitchen Island

How to Turn a Bookshelf into a Kitchen Island

January 24, 2017 · In: Furniture Makeovers

5019 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

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

Affiliate links are provided below for your convenience.  For more information, see my full disclosure here.

  • Bookshelf
  • Primer (This is my go-to spray primer)
  • Yardstick
  • Drill
  • 1/4in Plywood
  • Saw (Love my Dremel Saw for smaller projects like this one!)
  • Sandpaper
  • Liquid Nails
  • Clamps
  • Caulk
  • Paint
  • Paint Brush or Paint Sprayer
  • Wood Slab
  • Wood Stain (This is the color I used)

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

Simular DIY Projects

  • Guest Bedroom Armoire Makeover
  • Farmhouse Desk
  • Wooden Coffee Table Makeover
  • Four Drawer Side Table
  • Nursery Furniture Makeover

Pin this Post for Later

Bookshelf Kitchen Island
5019 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

By: Ashley Broviak · In: Furniture Makeovers · Tagged: DIY, Furniture Makeover, Kitchen Island

you’ll also love

How to Layer and Style a BedHow to Layer and Style a Bed
Easy DIY Baby GateEasy DIY Baby Gate
How to Hang Christmas Garland on a Bedroom HeadboardHow to Hang Christmas Garland on a Bedroom Headboard

Join the List

Stay up to date & receive the latest posts in your inbox.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tammy says

    August 4, 2020 at 7:11 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Ashley Broviak says

      August 4, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      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!

      Reply
  2. CoralleeT says

    May 3, 2020 at 11:14 pm

    For everyone looking for this bookshelf – it’s from Target!

    Reply
  3. Fawn says

    May 20, 2018 at 3:29 pm

    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!

    Reply
  4. Jauquetta says

    May 7, 2018 at 7:35 am

    The shiplap totally makes this piece! It just goes from nice to decorator! Well done.

    Reply
  5. Stephanie says

    September 30, 2017 at 12:39 pm

    I am absolutely in love and am currently making it do you know how thick and how big the slab is on top

    Reply
  6. Cee Cee says

    August 27, 2017 at 12:56 pm

    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.

    Reply
  7. Kaitie Lynn says

    August 14, 2017 at 2:30 pm

    This is amazing! What is the height or dimensions of your bookcase?

    Reply
  8. Rachel West says

    June 1, 2017 at 3:10 pm

    Love this ashley! What were the dimensions on the book shelf? Trying to do something sinilar

    Reply
  9. Lisa Bonanno (@cottagestyle) says

    January 28, 2017 at 3:55 am

    Love this, Ashley! You’re so creative! I want to try this with an old bookshelf that I have on hand. Thanks for the inspiration! xoxo

    Reply
  10. Cheryl says

    January 25, 2017 at 11:41 am

    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.

    Reply
  11. Joanna says

    January 24, 2017 at 9:43 pm

    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!

    Reply
  12. Cindy says

    January 24, 2017 at 3:28 pm

    This is adorable and the shipload adds so much character

    Cindy

    Reply
  13. Linda says

    January 24, 2017 at 12:10 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • only1barbi says

      October 7, 2017 at 8:52 pm

      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.

      Reply
  14. Leigh says

    January 24, 2017 at 10:29 am

    Love your creativity!

    Reply
  15. Patty says

    January 24, 2017 at 9:02 am

    GREAT idea! As always, love the staging you do and yes, I was sooooo scoping out your fun kitchen, too!

    Reply
  16. Sarah says

    January 24, 2017 at 7:44 am

    This is AMAZING!!! Well done.

    Reply
  17. Lisa says

    January 24, 2017 at 7:40 am

    That is awesome before and after Ashley!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Farmhouse Style Cleaning Supplies

Primary Sidebar

Meet Ashley

Meet Ashley
hello there!

I’m Ashley! Wife. IVF Mama. Lover of all things home. Decorator and DIYer. Flea market obsessed. Starbucks addict. Homebody like no other.

Read More

Follow Along on Social

Search the Site

  • DIY Projects
  • Furniture Makeovers
  • Room Reveals
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Organization
  • Recipes

never miss a post!

Follow Along

@littleglassjarblog

I’ve got one last quick and easy Christmas gift I’ve got one last quick and easy Christmas gift idea on the blog today! And it’s a yummy one!  Head over and check it out!  #littleglassjarblog #farmhousedecor #farmhousestyle #mysmphome #imsomartha #modernfarmhouse #hgtv #countrylivingmag #vintage #farmhousefresh #mycountryhome #fleamarket #diy #betterhomesandgardens #mybhg #home #farmhouse #beckiowensfeature #countryhomemagazine #bhghome #bhgcelebrate #inspire_me_home_decor #myfleamarketstyle #myafh #housebeautifulhome #stl #stlblogger #christmas #christmascookies
Merry Christmas Eve Eve! 🎄 #littleglassjarblog Merry Christmas Eve Eve! 🎄  #littleglassjarblog #farmhousedecor #farmhousestyle #mysmphome #imsomartha #modernfarmhouse #hgtv #countrylivingmag #vintage #farmhousefresh #mycountryhome #fleamarket #diy #betterhomesandgardens #mybhg #home #farmhouse #beckiowensfeature #countryhomemagazine #bhghome #bhgcelebrate #inspire_me_home_decor #myfleamarketstyle #myafh #housebeautifulhome #stl #stlblogger #christmas #christmasdecorations #christmastree
Sundays at home are just the best ❤️🎄 Sundays at home are just the best ❤️🎄
Can you even believe Christmas is a week away!? Th Can you even believe Christmas is a week away!? Thankfully I got all my shopping done early, because some flu bug has hit our house! Thankfully I tested negative for the big C word, but going to rest up at home for the week! Hopefully will be back to normal for all the holiday festivities!  Happy Saturday my friends! ♥️
There is something so fun about decorating a toddl There is something so fun about decorating a toddlers tree. Maybe it’s because she removes all the ornaments from it everyday? 😂  In all seriousness, Baileys cute little mini house Christmas tree is on the blog today!  #littleglassjarblog #farmhousedecor #farmhousestyle #mysmphome #imsomartha #modernfarmhouse #hgtv #countrylivingmag #vintage #farmhousefresh #mycountryhome #fleamarket #diy #betterhomesandgardens #mybhg #home #farmhouse #beckiowensfeature #countryhomemagazine #bhghome #bhgcelebrate #inspire_me_home_decor #myfleamarketstyle #myafh #housebeautifulhome #stl #stlblogger #christmas #christmastree #chrismasdecorations
We had such a fun day out and about yesterday, the We had such a fun day out and about yesterday, then came home to 5 rounds of Tornado sirens and our power out for the whole night.  Praying so hard for all the areas around us that were hit pretty hard, especially Mayfield KY and the workers at Amazon in Edwardsville IL. 🙏🏻  Hoping you are all okay and stayed safe ❤️
Happy Fridayyyyy! It’s been a long week! Heade Happy Fridayyyyy!  It’s been a long week! Headed to my third day of baby doctor appointments and then it’s family time all weekend!  Enjoy your day my friends!  #littleglassjarblog #farmhousedecor #farmhousestyle #mysmphome #imsomartha #modernfarmhouse #hgtv #countrylivingmag #vintage #farmhousefresh #mycountryhome #fleamarket #diy #betterhomesandgardens #mybhg #home #farmhouse #beckiowensfeature #countryhomemagazine #bhghome #bhgcelebrate #inspire_me_home_decor #myfleamarketstyle #myafh #housebeautifulhome #stl #stlblogger #christmas #christmasdecorations
Serious question! Do you decorate your bedroom for Serious question! Do you decorate your bedroom for Christmas?  I never did until I started blogging, and now I can never go back!  I’m sharing some simple Christmas touches that you can add to the bedroom without having to spend a bunch of money, all on the blog today!  #littleglassjarblog #farmhousedecor #farmhousestyle #mysmphome #imsomartha #modernfarmhouse #hgtv #countrylivingmag #vintage #farmhousefresh #mycountryhome #fleamarket #diy #betterhomesandgardens #mybhg #home #farmhouse #beckiowensfeature #countryhomemagazine #bhghome #bhgcelebrate #inspire_me_home_decor #myfleamarketstyle #myafh #housebeautifulhome #stl #stlblogger #christmas #christmasdecorations

Footer

On the Blog

  • DIY Projects
  • Furniture Makeovers
  • Organization
  • Room Reveals
  • Tips & Tricks

Info

  • About
  • Press
  • Disclosures
  • Contact

stay in the know

Little Glass Jar © 2022 · Theme by 17th Avenue

5019 shares