Building an island for your kitchen doesn't have to be a project that will break the bank, but can really add a lot of value to your home. One of the first things you will need to do is decide what type of material you want to use and how you will make the island match the rest of the kitchen. It can be very difficult to get an exact match to cabinetry and countertops but many kitchen islands are different colors than the rest of the kitchen to strike some contrast. You can begin the job with stock cabinets from a home improvement store. This will provide the base for the island and will allow you to make the most space. It is possible that the cabinets will need to be trimmed down to fit the island and to make everything the right size. You'll also need to decide early in the planning process if you want the island to be moveable or stationary in the kitchen. This is very important in making the design decisions necessary to make the island.

After you have trimmed the cabinets to fit each other and to match their height you can add bead board to make the sides and backs of the cabinets look better than they would normally. After you have put the wrapping around the cabinets, you will also need to add feet or coasters if you plan on having a moveable island. Once you've finished this step you can add decorations and other moldings to make the island look more professional and finished. If you are going to apply paint or some other finish to the bead board of the wood, then you need to do that as well. It's a good idea to make sure that you are going to choose a finish that matches the rest of the kitchen or at least coordinates with it. You'll also need to add supports for the countertop that will be on the island. This is something that can be purchased individually at large stores or that can be custom made to fit the island you are making.

When you are planning on where the island will be, you should consider where other items in the kitchen are and what purpose the island will serve. If you plan on having a sink or other plumbing in the island, you will need to plan ahead for this possibility and make sure you have everything prepared before you begin construction of the island. Adding the plumbing can be a challenge if you aren't experienced at plumbing. You can hire a professional if needed to do some of the work for you, but should do everything you can on your own to save money. When you have everything prepared and the island is in place, you then need to secure the island and make sure that it is level.

When you are undertaking a job like building a kitchen island, you should plan on making other arrangements for cooking and eating while you have things under construction. You should plan on giving yourself several days to get it finished depending on how experienced you are. Remember that you can use your home improvement store as a resources should you have any trouble with any part of the project.