How to Make a Kitchen Island From a Sink Base Cabinet
- 1). Sand the cabinet with medium-grit sandpaper to create some texture. The back and sides of the sink cabinet are likely unfinished. You will add bead board to both sides and the back. Painting all four sides the same color will unify the different materials. Sand the entire cabinet. Wipe away any sanding dust with a damp rag.
- 2). Apply primer to the entire cabinet and the bead board. Apply one to two coats of primer with a good-quality brush. Allow the primer to dry.
- 3). Paint the cabinet, the trim molding, and the bead board the same color. Brush on two to three thin coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.
- 4). Measure the back and sides of the cabinet. Cut the bead board to fit over the unfinished edges, using a saw. Measure the trim molding to cover the edges, similar to a picture frame. Cut the ends of the molding at 45-degree angles.
- 5). Apply a thin layer of construction adhesive to the back of the bead board. Press the bead board in place on the cabinet. Hammer trim nails into the trim pieces every 3 to 5 inches to hold the trim in place over the edges of the bead board. Choose nails that are long enough to pass through the trim and bead board and attach to the cabinet. The nails will hold both the trim and the bead board in place. Touch up the nail holes and any scratches with extra paint.
- 6). Turn the cabinet upside down. Attach bun feet or casters to the bottom of the cabinet, using the hardware included with them.
- 7). Turn the cabinet back over. Measure and cut a piece of plywood to cover the top of the cabinet, or have the plywood cut at the home improvement center. Attach the plywood to the cabinet with construction adhesive. Place bricks on top of the plywood to hold it in place until the adhesive is dry. Drive screws through the plywood into the top of the cabinet every 6 to 8 inches.
- 8). Attach a countertop to the plywood. Order a piece of granite or butcher block to match the size of the cabinet. Spread a thin layer of construction adhesive on top of the plywood. Press the counter into the adhesive and press firmly. Set bricks on top of the counter to prevent it from slipping until the adhesive dries.
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