20 Unique Upcycled Kitchen Island Ideas

All great kitchens seem to have one thing in common – they all have a great kitchen island. I don’t know how it works in your home, but in our kitchen the island is the center stage for dinner prep, a space to eat breakfast, work on homework, make a craft or two, and yes, I even blog from there occasionally. So my thought is that if you’re going to something you use that much, then I want it to be practical. But I also want it to be beautiful – because if you spend that much time looking at one piece then it might as well be gorgeous. 

Need a little kitchen island inspiration? These kitchens all showcase unique things turned into functional islands, many of which at one point were probably considered cast offs and long forgotten by the original owners. 

Rolling Metal Work Table with a butcher block top added is an easy way to DIY an island.

Yellow Metal Industrial Table Turned Kitchen Island – I’m pretty sure this was cleaned up and brought in… pretty paint patina and all.

Upcycled Metal Rolling Cart – how unique is this one?!?

Cart repurposed into an island – that color alone had me drooling!

Wine Barrel Kitchen Island – simple idea, just a round top on a barrel.

Wash Tub Kitchen Island – her DIY project is so pretty and so smart.

Upcycled Island – shutters are usually pretty easy to find second hand, so this is a great use for them.

Made from old windows (one of my all time faves!)

Imperfect furniture makes a beautiful kitchen island

Upcycled Old Table made counter height by adding casters

{original source unknown} This old display cabinet is simply dreamy.

Repurposed Architect’s Cabinet – all those drawers!

Upcycled Produce Counter – makes a lot of sense, huh? It looks perfect!

{original source unknown} I would have never thought to pick up that dresser off the side of the road but it makes a gorgeous island.

great way to use chest of drawers – (she’s used a lot of great things as islands, too!)

Beautiful Upcycled Piano – who would have thought to use a piano?

Antique buffet turned into a kitchen island

vintage lockers made into an island

old sewing machine base made into an island

Dresser transformed into a kitchen island

Which is your favorite?

Have you turned anything unusual into a kitchen island?