I get a lot of satisfaction building practical projects that are strong enough to stand up to the rigours of everyday living. With this in mind, I designed and built a butcher block kitchen island that includes a 2"-thick laminated top with a matching knife storage block, a 29"-wide utensil drawer and a removable wine rack that holds four bottles of my favourite vintage. This island is built to last and portable. The entire unit roles quietly and easily on heavy-duty rubber casters.
I built the block using hard maple. It's the traditional choice for butcher blocks because of its tight grain and food-safe surface. Birch is a good substitute and may be easier to find in some areas of Canada.
Download the detailed butcher block kitchen island plans here!
| You will need: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| For the top | Material | Size | Qty. |
| Top | maple | 2" x 20" x 34" | 1 |
| End caps | maple | 1 1/2" x 2" x 20" | 2 |
| Rod plugs | maple dowel | 1" dia. x 1" | 8 |
| Threaded top rods | plated steel | 3/8" dia. x 19" | 4 |
| Nuts | plated steel | 3/8" dia. | 8 |
| Flat washers | plated steel | 3/8" dia. | 8 |
| For the base | |||
| Legs | maple | 2" x 2" x 32" | 4 |
| End skirts | maple | 3/4" x 4" x 16" | 2 |
| Back skirt | maple | 3/4" x 4" x 31" | 1 |
| Knife block brace | maple | 3/4" x 1 1/2" x 16" | 1 |
| Crossbraces | maple | 1" x 2" x 18" | 4 |
| Shelf slats | maple | 1" x 1 1/2" x 36" | 7 |
| Drawer runner cleats | maple | 7/8" x 1 1/2" x 14" | 2 |
| Drawer runners | aluminum angle | 3/4" x 3/4" x 14" | 2 |
| Casters | heavy-duty, rubber-edged | 4 | |
| For the drawer | |||
| Drawer front | maple | 3/4" x 4" x 29" | 1 |
| Drawer sides | maple | 3/4" x 4" x 16 5/8" | 2 |
| Drawer back | maple | 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 28" | 1 |
| Drawer bottom | plywood | 1/4" x 16 1/4" x 28" | 1 |
| Stop block cleat | maple | 1/2" x 1" x 4" | 1 |
| Drawer pull | brass | Lee Valley 01A44.11 | 1 |
| For the knife block | |||
| Block strips | maple | 2" x 5" x 8" | 5 |
| Knockdown bolts | 50 mm Lee Valley 00N16.50 | 3 | |
| Threaded inserts | 20 mm Lee Valley 00N11.20 | 3 | |
| For the wine rack | |||
| Rack slats | maple | 3/4" x 1 1/2" x 36" | 2 |
| Rack front/back | maple | 3/4" x 3" x 19" | 2 |
| Rack sides | maple | 3/4" x 3" x 9" | 2 |
| Rack bottom slats | maple | 1" x 3/4" x 19" | 4 |
