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Gifts & Small Projects

Coffee Bar or Kitchen Island Shelf

Step-by-step build — 5 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  1. 1Step 1: Measure and cut

    Make your cuts for the shelf: 2"x8' (4) @ 38" | 2.5"x6' (2) @ 16" and (2) @ 12" | 1.5"x6' (2) @ 16" and (2) @ 12" | 3.5"x12' (10) @ 12" *Tip: I trimmed the edges of both lumber pieces for the legs (1" x 2" x 8") to achive a crisp finish. NOTE: Please note that all 1" lumber measures 3/4".

    Coffee Bar or Kitchen Island Shelf — step photo 9
  2. 2Step 2: Assemble the Legs

    • Lay out all four of the 38" pieces for the legs, connecting two legs with the 1 1/2 x 16" on the top and the 2 1/2 x 16" piece 12" from the bottom up.
    • Mark where the pocket holes should go with a carpenter's pencil and drill 3/4" pocket holes using your Kreg Jig.
    • Assemble the legs using 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
    Coffee Bar or Kitchen Island Shelf — step photo 10
  3. 3Step 3: Attach the side Boards

    Pre-drill pocket holes with the Kreg Jig for 3/4" material into the ends of the 2 1/2 x 12" cuts. Attach 2 1/2 x 12"s to the leg frames using 1 1/4" pocket screws.

    Coffee Bar or Kitchen Island Shelf — step photo 11
  4. 4Step 4: Attach bottom & top Shelf

    Drill pocket screw holes for 3/4" material with the Kreg Jig along the ends of the 3/4"x3 1/2"x12" boards. Attach the boards to the edge of the base with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws, leaving 1/4" gap between each board (see image for reference)

    Coffee Bar or Kitchen Island Shelf — step photo 12
  5. 5Finish as desired

    • Sand the shelf until smooth and fill any visible pocket holes if desired. For the shelf, I used Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint (color: Ironstone) followed by Miss Mustard Seed's Wax. I applied four thin, coats of milk paint and let it completely dry.
    • Then sanded lightly by hand using 220 grit sand paper.
    Coffee Bar or Kitchen Island Shelf — step photo 13