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A chunky 4x4-legged island with two side-mount drawers and an open bottom shelf — real casework scaled for a kitchen, not a small side project.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs (A) | 4 | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 34 1/2" | 4x4 | ☐ |
| Spacers (B) Position differs on each leg — do not treat as interchangeable. | 4 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 7 1/2" | 1x4, ripped | ☐ |
| Side aprons (C) | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 17" | 1x8 | ☐ |
| Top supports and center divider (D) | 3 | 1 1/2" × 7 1/4" × 21 1/4" | 2x8 | ☐ |
| Bottom supports, outside (E) | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 17" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Bottom supports, inside (F) | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 20" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Back apron (G) | 1 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 51 3/4" | 1x8 | ☐ |
| Bottom front/back supports (H) | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 51 3/4" | 1x4, ripped | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf side trim (I) | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 17" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf front/back trim (J) | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 51 3/4" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Bottom shelf Notch the corners to fit around the legs. | 1 | 3/4" × 21 1/2" × 55" | 3/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Front face trim, horizontal (L) | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 51 3/4" | 1x4, ripped | ☐ |
| Front face trim, vertical (M) | 3 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 4 1/2" | 1x4, ripped | ☐ |
| Top | 1 | 3/4" × 26" × 60 3/4" | 3/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Drawer bottoms (O) | 2 | 3/4" × 19 1/2" × 21 1/8" | 3/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Drawer fronts/backs (P) | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 21 1/8" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Drawer sides (Q) | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 21" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Drawer faces (R) Cut to fit your actual drawer openings. | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 25 7/8" | 1x8 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4" MDF or plywood, full sheet | 1 each | ☐ |
| 4x4 post, 12 ft (Pine) | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2x8 board, 8 ft (Pine) | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x8 board, 12 ft (Pine) | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2x2 board, 8 ft (Pine) | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x4 board, 8 ft (Pine) Ripped 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 varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 4x4 post, 12 ft, 1x8 board, 12 ft, 1x4 board, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2" and 3"
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x8 board, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2" and 3"
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Speed Square. Materials: 1x8 board, 12 ft, 2x2 board, 8 ft, 1x4 board, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2" and 3", Wood glue
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 3/4" MDF or plywood, full sheet
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 3/4" MDF or plywood, full sheet, 1x4 board, 8 ft
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.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Drill / Driver. Materials: 3/4" MDF or plywood, full sheet, 1x8 board, 12 ft, 1x4 board, 8 ft, Side-mount drawer slides, 21"
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.