NotchLoading plan…
Loading plan…
This island's legs and aprons form the real structure — 4x4 posts joined by 1x8 side aprons and 2x8 top supports — with the drawer box and bottom shelf built into that frame rather than as a separate cabinet dropped inside it. The spacers between the legs and side aprons matter more than they look: their position is different on each leg (not symmetric), so track which leg gets which spacer placement rather than assuming they're interchangeable.
The center divider between the two drawers is the single measurement that determines whether this island works well for years or annoys you every time you open a drawer — it has to go in dead square, because a divider that's even slightly out of square will bind every drawer that rides against it. Build and square that piece before you touch the drawers themselves.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 3/4" MDF or plywood, full sheet | 1 each |
| 4x4 post, 12 ft | 1 each |
| 2x8 board, 8 ft | 1 each |
| 1x8 board, 12 ft | 1 each |
| 2x2 board, 8 ft | 1 each |
| 1x4 board, 8 ftRipped down for the spacers and face trim as well as used at full width for the drawer boxes. | 4 each |
| Side-mount drawer slides, 21" | 2 pair |
| Wood screws, 2" and 3" | 60 each |
| Wood glue | 6 oz |
| Wood putty | 1 each |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Legs (A)4x4 | 4 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 34 1/2" |
| Spacers (B)1x4, rippedPosition differs on each leg — do not treat as interchangeable. | 4 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 7 1/2" |
| Side aprons (C)1x8 | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 17" |
| Top supports and center divider (D)2x8 | 3 | 1 1/2" × 7 1/4" × 21 1/4" |
| Bottom supports, outside (E)2x2 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 17" |
| Bottom supports, inside (F)2x2 | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 20" |
| Back apron (G)1x8 | 1 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 51 3/4" |
| Bottom front/back supports (H)1x4, ripped | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 51 3/4" |
| Bottom shelf side trim (I)1x4 | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 17" |
| Bottom shelf front/back trim (J)1x4 | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 51 3/4" |
| Bottom shelf3/4" plywoodNotch the corners to fit around the legs. | 1 | 3/4" × 21 1/2" × 55" |
| Front face trim, horizontal (L)1x4, ripped | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 51 3/4" |
| Front face trim, vertical (M)1x4, ripped | 3 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 4 1/2" |
| Top3/4" plywood | 1 | 3/4" × 26" × 60 3/4" |
| Drawer bottoms (O)3/4" plywood | 2 | 3/4" × 19 1/2" × 21 1/8" |
| Drawer fronts/backs (P)1x4 | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 21 1/8" |
| Drawer sides (Q)1x4 | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 21" |
| Drawer faces (R)1x8Cut to fit your actual drawer openings. | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 25 7/8" |
Buy 18 boards at 8 ft.
2 boards
1 board
1 board
Attach the spacers to the legs — note the spacers are not in the same position on every leg, so track which leg is which as you go. Then fasten the side aprons to the spacers.
Use 3" screws to fasten the top supports (D) to the legs, working from the cut list dimensions — there's an intentional 1-3/4" difference on the sides you should account for.
Use 2" screws and glue to fasten the back apron in place, checking square as you go. Fasten the bottom front and back supports (H) to the side supports; if you plan to load the bottom shelf with heavy items, add a couple of 2x2 supports (F) across between the H boards for extra strength.
Notch the corners of the bottom shelf plywood to fit around the legs, then set it in place and fasten it down.
Using the third 2x8 board (D), fasten the center divider in place with 3" screws. This board must be dead square — any lean will keep your drawers from gliding smoothly for the life of the island.
Fasten the horizontal face trim (L) with 2" fasteners, making sure it's fastened to the center divider (confirm it hasn't shifted from the last step), then fasten the vertical trim (M). Fasten the top in place — attaching to the trim, legs, aprons, and the 2x8 supports — centered with a 1" overhang on all sides. You may prefer to add the top after the drawers are built and fitted.
Read your drawer slide instructions before building — this plan assumes side-mount slides needing 1/2" clearance per side. Cut the plywood bottoms perfectly straight, then fasten the 1x4 fronts and backs to the bottoms, followed by the sides. Fit each drawer box into its opening using the slides.
Once the boxes are set, measure and cut the drawer faces, marking and lightly scoring the center of each to suggest two drawers if you like that look. Attach the faces with a couple of 1-1/4" nails and glue, avoiding where pulls will go, then pull the drawers back out and drive screws from inside into the face for a permanent hold.
No reviews yet
Sign in to review this plan or share your build.
No reviews yet. Be the first to build this.
1 board
1 board
1 board
2 boards
4 boards
1 board
4 boards
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →