How To Make A DIY Kitchen Island With A Concrete Countertop

    Because every man (/woman/human) needs an island.

    BenUyeda
    by BenUyeda

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Concrete countertops are popular design options and kitchen islands are one of the most common remodeling projects. Here is an easy way to make your own itchen island with a concrete countertop. Making your own instead of buying a premade one like this can save you hundreds of dollars.

    View this video on YouTube
    homemade-modern.com / Via youtube.com

    Supplies + Tools

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Quikrete Countertop Mix (in grey)

    Available at Home Depot

    QUIKRETE® Countertop Mix is a super high-performance mix that is worth the price. It has no large pieces of gravel or aggregate, which makes it great for small intricate pieces such as lamps and vases. It’s easy to work with and comes in different colors. Most stores don’t carry it in-stock so call ahead to your local Home Depot to have it ordered for pickup.

    36" Long 1 1/4" Square Fir Balusters

    Available at Home Depot

    These square balusters are straight, smooth and easy to work with. I used them to make block supports for the concrete form.

    3/4" Melamine Board

    Available at Home Depot

    Melamine board is particle board with a smooth laminate surface. It's a great product for making concrete formwork. I bought two 2' by 4' sheets and had four 2 1/2" strips cut at Home Depot.

    2x4s and 1x4s

    Available at Home Depot or Lumber Yard

    Because the island was planned as an outdoor piece, I used cedar lumber. Cedar and Redwood weather well and are great for outdoor use but cost a bit more than other soft woods. The same design could be made using standard 2x4s and deck screws for a little less money.

    3", 2 1/2" and 1 5/8" Stainless Steel Screws

    Available at Home Depot

    These stainless steel screws have a small head, a nice appearance and won't rust. If you're building the island for indoor use, cheaper coated screws can be used.

    homedepot.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    This project can be made with hand tools...

    RYOBI 18 Volt Cordless Drill

    Available at Home Depot

    RYOBI 18 Volt Circular Saw

    Available at Home Depot

    ...but is easier with bench top tools:

    RYOBI 10" Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser

    Available at Home Depot

    1. Download the Plan

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Click here to download the Wood + Concrete Kitchen Island plan.

    2. Cut the Melamine Board

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Use a circular saw to cut three 2.5" wide strips, 4 feet long. I used the guide attachment for my RYOBI Circular Saw to get nice, even cuts.

    3. Screw On the Supports

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    I screwed pieces of the fir baluster around the edges of the 2x4 melamine board. I then placed the long 2.5" melamine strips and took a field measurement for the short side pieces. I cut the short pieces and screwed in the remaining wood blocks.

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    4. Glue Down the Formwork

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Normally, I screw melamine strips to the wood blocks, but I didn't have screws with the right length, so I tried using a hot glue gun to glue down the melamine strips. It worked quite well and also created a waterproof seal around the outside of the form.

    5. Seal + Clean the Form

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Use latex or silicone caulk to seal the form. Squeeze a bead of sealent in the corner and then smooth it out with your finger. Once the caulking is dry, wipe the form to remove dust and dirt before pouring in the concrete.

    6. Prepare the Rebar

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    I wired together a rectangular reinforcement frame from 4 pieces of 1/2" diameter rebar.

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    7. Mix + Pour the Concrete

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Quikrete Commercial Grade Countertop Mix is easy to work with and has no large pieces of aggregate. This mix is easier to work with, but sets up faster, so you need to work quickly. I used about 2 1/2 bags. I filled the form about two-thirds of the way full and then put the rebar in place before filling the mold the rest of the way.

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com
    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    8. Pack Down the Concrete + Vibrate the Form

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Make sure the wet concrete is pack down into every corner and vibrate the form. I used a scrap piece of wood as a screed to level the concrete.

    9. Let the Concrete Cure

    Let the concrete cure for at least 48 hours before removing the form. The manufacturer suggests covering the concrete to control moisture.

    10. Remove the Form

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Unscrew the formwork and scrape off any of the caulk that is stuck to the concrete.

    11. Cut the Wood

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    You can cut the wood for the base with a circular saw and a speed square, but a compound mitre saw makes it a lot easier. Lightly sand the rough edges after cutting.

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    12. Assemble the Bottom Tray

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Lay out the pieces for the bottom tray and screw them together. Use a square to check and make sure that your corners are at nice, 90 degree right angles.

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com
    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    13. Assemble the Top Frame

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Screw the top frame together with 2 1/2" screws. I used a cut-off end of the 2x4 as a spacer and a square to make sure the frame was square and ready for the legs.

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    14. Screw On the Legs

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    I used 3" screws to screw the legs to the top frame. Without the bottom tray to hold them in place, they will wobble a bit, so don't worry about making them square yet.

    15. Screw In the Bottom Tray

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Flip the legs and top frame right side up and slide the bottom tray between the legs. Use scrap 2x4s to raise the bottom tray 3 1/2" off the ground. Use a square to make sure the legs are in the right position and then screw through the legs into the bottom tray with four 3" screws for each leg.

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com
    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    16. Add Additional Screws

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Now that the bottom tray is in place, drive additional 3" screws through the top frame and into the legs.

    17. Field Measure + Cut the Top Trim Pieces

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Measure the width of the base and then cut two pieces of 1x4 that exact length. Screw them into place and measure the length for the long trim pieces.

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com
    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    18. Put On the Top

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    The concrete top is quite heavy and doesn't slide, but I put a couple screws up through the wood and into the concrete about 3/8" anyway. You can also use a construction adhesive as well. I prefer screws because they allow the top to come off for transportation.

    19. Seal the Concrete

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    I used Quikrete Acrylic Concrete Cure & Seal with a satin finish to protect and finish the concrete countertop. It's easy to use and looks great!

    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com
    homemade-modern.com / Via homemade-modern.com

    Good luck making your own Wood + Concrete Kitchen Island and please email, tweet or hashtag photos to @benuyeda, ben@homemade-modern.com or #homemademodern. For more DIY ideas, visit us at HomeMade Modern.