1. Home
  2. Plan Catalog

Rustic X Small Rolling Kitchen Island

|save this plan
Difficulty
Advanced
| Print this plan

Free plans to build a kitchen island with X sides, inspired by Pottery Barn Hamiltion reclaimed wood kitchen island!

All I'm gonna say is 85 bucks.

Yep ... $85 to build this solid wood kitchen island!

Want to see more pics - tons of building tips and tricks?  This island was built by my friend Whitney from Shanty2Chic - please take a second to go check her post out for lots more photos and details!

Plans follow!

Thanks Whitney!

XO Ana

Dimensions
Dimensions shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 - Project Panel 24" wide x 32" long
4 caster wheels with overall clearance of 3"
1 handle
4 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long
1 - 1x4 @ 6 feet long
1 - 1x12 @ 8 feet long
1 - 2x2 @ 2 feet long
2 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long
1 - 1x6 @ 8 feet long
1 - 1x8 @ 2 feet long
1/2" plywood piece 10 1/2" x 19 3/4" (for drawer bottom)

Common Materials
2 inch screws
1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
2-1/2" Pocket Hole Screws
Cut List

CUT LIST

LEGS
4 - 2x4 @ 32 1/4"
4 - 2x4 @ 19 1/2"
2 - 2x4 @ 27 5/8" - both ends cut at 45 degree angle, ends ARE parallel
4 - 2x4 @ 13 3/4" - one end cut at 45 degree angle, long point measurement

MIDDLE
2 - 2x4 @ 26"
2 - 1x12 @ 28"
6 - 1x4 @ 11 1/4"
2 - 2x2 @ 11 1/4"
1 - 1x2 @ 23" (drawer trim)
1 - 1x12 @ 24 1/2" (shelf)

DRAWER
2 - 1x6 @ 19 3/4"
2 - 1x6 @ 12"
1 - 1/2" plywood @ 19 3/4" x 10 1/2"
2 - 1x2 @ 12"
1 - 1x8 @ 22 3/4"

TOP
2 - 1x2 @ 30"
2 - 1x2 @ 24"
1 - project panel 24" wide x 31 1/2" long

General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Build two of the legs frames with 1 1/2" pocket holes and 2 1/2" pocket hole screws.

Step 2

Fit the Xs in place and attach with 1 1/2" pocket holes and 2 1/2" pocket hole screws, flush to the top and bottom 2x4s from step 1.

Step 3

Attach the two leg sets togther with the 2x4s 26" long. Place 1 1/2" pocket holes on insides, and attach with 2 1/2" pocket hole screws and glue. Keep the 2x4 shelf supports 11 1/4" appart to match the width of a 1x12 board.

Step 4

Place 1x12 boards on insides of side legs - this will create the storage area in the island. Use nails and glue to attach. You can also attach to the 2x4s at the bottom shelf supports with a 3/4' pocket hole and 1 1/4" pocket hole screw.

Step 5

Step 6

Add cleats for the drawers with 2" screws. Don't glue just yet as you may need to adjust to get your drawer just right.

Step 7

Let's move on to the top. Attach 1x2 trim to top with 2" wood screws and glue.

Step 8

Then finish out top sides with additional 1x2s.

Step 9

Build the drawer out of 1x6s, attach bottom.

Step 10

Attach cleats level and precisely to sides of drawer with 1 1/4" screws. You could get away with nails here but the issue is you may need to adjust these cleats, so screws are ideal. The screw heads will need ot be below the surface of the cleat for the drawer to slide out.

Step 11

Fit the drawer in the island, on top of the 2x2 cleats from earlier. Adjust until your drawer slides perfectly.

TIP: rub a candle on the cleats to get them to slide smoother.

Step 12

Attach drawer face with an 1/8" gap to sides and top.

Step 13

Attach bottom drawer trim with 3/4" pocket holes and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws to the legs, leaving an 1/8" gap under drawer face.

Step 14

Shelf can be added at any height. Easiest way to attach is with 3/4" pocket holes and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and glue.

Step 15

Attach premade top to island. You can hide screws by placing carefully on underside of 1x2 trim, using 2" screws countersunk. You must predrill for these screws as the 1x2s will split out on you.

Step 16

Attach caster wheels to base.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Project Type
Kitchen Island Plans
Room
kitchen
Style
Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

JoanneS

Sat, 08/31/2013 - 10:02

This island is so beautiful! Love the finish and the hooks, and the drawers that slide on wood cleats. (ps - the kitchen in the background is stunning!)

cassiet717

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 10:24

I'm in love with the rustic finish. You see a lot of the "Pottery Barn" distressed paint these days (which I also love), and this is such a nice, fresh take!!

paul_spiller

Tue, 09/02/2014 - 04:37

Hi,

Love the project. Put it together in a weekend and then took 3 weeks to stain and finish ( clearly I don't enjoy that bit as much as the construction).

I am almost complete for the project and am really pleased how it has turned out. The last step is to fix some casters. I went down to Lowes looking and i didn't see any plate casters that would fit on the end of a 2x4 piece of wood. Does anyone have any advice / ideas which ones are best? A link would be lovely ;-)

dbizzle

Tue, 09/02/2014 - 09:29

I know the place doesn't have the best reputation, but I buy almost all of my casters at harbor freight.

For 2x4 legs, you might be better off drilling up into the leg, adding a t-nut, and using screw-in casters.

paul_spiller

Wed, 09/03/2014 - 15:25

dbizzle,

 

That is an awesome idea. I thought of that but didn't know what it was called. T-Nut!!!!

Lowes has screw in casters for sure so that would be perfect if i can one with an internal thread of the same size.

 

Thanks

 

Paul

zannej

Sat, 11/19/2022 - 06:46

I love this idea. My friend has a small kitchen and doesn't have room for a stationary island or a large island but this would be great for his kitchen-- especially since he loves the rustic look and the X on the sides. I did want to have some modifications though. First off, I would cut the legs by 1/2" (down to 32"H) and have a sort of butcherblock top comprised of 2x2 furring strips. The long part of the X would then be 27-1/4 long. The short pieces would be 13-5/8" long.
I want to have the drawer use ball bearing full-extension glides so I'm thinking some 10" glides (having a hard time finding 11" ones) would work. The drawer could be wider that way. The glides I looked at were 1/2" thick and ~1-3/4" high. I wanted the panels behind the X to extend all the way instead of only about halfway. I found that the only 1/2" plywood I can find affordably in my area is only 2'x2' and will fit just about right. I wanted a solid bottom shelf instead of one with gaps. I also wanted a shelf on the opposite side behind the drawer. The drawer's outer length would still be 12" but the width would be around 22". I may eliminate the trim piece below the drawer to allow taller things to be placed underneath.
I'd paint the main thing gray (to match the cabinets but the inside panels under the X would be gloss black). In order to get the drawer slides to fit I'm thinking of getting some 2x4s and notching them to go around he panels. I'm still trying to figure out the full lumber list. We are thinking of using some pallet wood if we can find it. Or some old studs from a wall we are taking out.
I'm trying to figure out how to add pictures from Sketchup but its not working.