Designing a Simple Cottage Kitchen Island and Cabinets
Designing a simple cottage kitchen island and cabinets made our small space feel much more functional and unique.
MOCKUP DESIGN FOR KITCHEN ISLAND AND CABINETS
Nate removed the sink from our kitchen so that he could work on a mockup design and build. This DIY project was to design a handmade kitchen island and cabinets. The first task was to build a mockup frame around where the kitchen sink would be placed. This would be in front of the kitchen window.
He measured and used his carpentry skills to get the job done. And as always, learning as he goes. He completed the carcass foundation like structure to get us started with the design and build.
This included a toe kick at the bottom as well since we can’t forget about the details! It was built about four inches deep to give our toes a nice resting place while doing dishes and all the prep involved with kitchen work.
I was able to get in on the action and help hold parts of the frame (carcass) as Nate screwed pieces together. A lot of parts coming together to build something functional for our kitchen needs.
One of the first things I noticed is how compact the island and sink cabinet/vanity made our already small kitchen feel. But it did make the living room right across from it look much bigger though.
COTTAGE KITCHEN ISLAND
There would also be an overhang designed and built over the island so that we can put stools or chairs underneath for seating. And the cabinets below the island would be used for storage in addition to our handmade built-in pantry next to it. I’m thinking this space could be used for pots and pans as well as extra food and supply storage.
Nate wanted to know how I felt about the height of the island. It was perfect and high enough. I don’t like it when countertops and islands are too low because then you have to bend down and chop or prep food. And when the actual countertop is placed over the carcass (framing), it would be a bit higher too.
I was dreaming of all the space we would have in our small kitchen now with the large and high island. It would be perfect for setting up a buffet of food items! Space to chop, prep, and store food. As the main food preparer in our house, I was so excited.
Then Nate started to describe the built in cabinets he would design above the sink and on both sides around the window. He also explained that our handmade design and build would be more solid than what you could buy at a store. That’s because he was building it with 2x4s.
COTTAGE KITCHEN FUNCTIONALITY
My hats off to the hubby for designing a very functional small house kitchen. With additional counter space next to the sink and stove, I imaged how easy it would be to rinse veggies in the sink. Then chop them on the counter space next to the stove. And finally throw them right on the stove or in the oven. Simple, handmade, and yet functional. That’s how the minimalist in me loves to operate, especially in small spaces.
For the mockup design, Nate placed several temporary 2×6 planks on top of the island frame (carcass). That way we could start using a bit of the functionality in the kitchen while he continued to design it. He would then reuse those 2×6 temporary planks for another project once he finished this one.
USING RECLAIMED WOOD FOR KITCHEN BUILD
He tore out old original pine wood from our house during renovations and wanted to eventually use that to build the island countertop. Those old growth pine planks are 2x4s. Nate explained that new pine is much more porous and soft. Old growth pine is a lot harder and more sturdy.
Our little cottage is already a bit rugged and filled with salvaged materials. It’s almost got a log cabin feel now with all the beadboard and shiplap we’ve placed in it. There are minimal modern designs throughout the house. That makes us ok with a bit of dings and imperfections that will only add to the character of our little historic home.
We still needed a few more tools to complete the final build, which is why this is just a temporary mockup. Since we are designing as we go and have to figure out what materials we may need, this project is not quite complete yet. I will share the final build soon once the design is finalized.
For now Nate was thinking of designing the island 30 inches across and the sink countertop 25 inches across. He also made a cut out under the island for a dishwasher and planned out the water lines. There are always a lot of details to consider.
SIMPLE COTTAGE KITCHEN CABINETS
Nate made a Home Depot run and got two sheets of plywood cut to build the upper cabinets with. He designed and framed the cabinets out. They turned out to be little plywood boxes glued and screwed together.
He also completed a mock build of the upper cabinets around the kitchen window above the sink. It turned out so cute and made our little cottage feel super cozy.
There were two cabinets on both sides that would eventually have shelves placed in them. On the inside of the cabinets, he also designed two small attached open shelves where plants, dishes, or other items could be displayed without a cabinet door.
We may also build out open shelves around the kitchen as well depending on how the design goes and the space available. It is a very small kitchen, but starting to feel so functional!
CHECK OUT OUR VIDEOS
Thanks for joining us on this journey! We hope that you will find inspiration watching us learn as we go while we’re attempting to renovate and rebuild this old small historic cottage mostly on our own~ while working full time jobs! Stay tuned for more progress updates ahead. Read more about us here.
You can also watch a video about this here.
To see more adventures of our fixer upper journey, click on the links below.
🌲🏚 RE-SIDING ATTACHED COTTAGE GARAGE AND ADDING NEW ENTRANCE DOOR 🚪💚
