DIY Project: Transform a Vintage Trunk into a Unique Kitchen Island

I have an old Trunk I bought at the flea market. It is crying out to be made into a function al kitchen island with seating. I found it for $70! You can easily turn a Trunk into custom kitchen island with seating with these few simple steps. This project will cost you a little money; so do not expect to spend less than you might normally for a store bought kitchen island. This vintage inspired kitchen island project is for anyone who wants a unique kitchen island that no one else will have.

To Turn Your Trunk Into a Kitchen Island with Seating You Will Need:

1 Trunk

Butcher Block (cut to size)

Power drill

Wood Screws

Towel bars

S Hooks

Bar Stools

Paint (optional)

Stain (optional)

Paint brushes and rollers (optional)

Sand paper or sander (optional)

Castors

Now, the first step is to find the right Trunk. I found a vintage leather and wood Trunk for the early nineteen hundreds. It is about 25 inches tall, which is a very ideal height. You will be adding some butcher block or glass and possibly wheels and legs, so you cannot use a tall or short Trunk.

Tip: I recommend just finding a Vintage Trunk that is about 28 to 29 inches tall.

Now, if you need to change the color or look of your Vintage Trunk you will need to lightly sand it. Next prime it out and then paint. Milk paint is a quick way to make any trunk, new or old, look vintage. You can also rub wood gel stain or intend wood wax onto the Vintage Trunk. These additions will also protect you kitchen island from damage and cleaning supplies.

Now, measure how wide and long the Vintage Trunk it on the top. Add to inches to the length and then 8 inches to the width or depth (the front to back of the dresser).

Now, take these measurements to your local home improvement store. You will need to buy a piece of butcher-block cut to this size. The extra inches on the depth are to accommodate some stools. If you want though, you can always lay a piece of beveled glass on top that it’s exactly.

Now, to install the butcher block you have two options. I prefer to open up the vintage trunk and attach it in from the inside of the lid. Drill four holes in the top of the Vintage Trunk. One near each corner. Now, place you butcher block in place. Have one inch or so hanging off on every side. On the width part have the backside with about 7 inches of butcher block hanging over. Now, from the inside of the Vintage Trunk press a magic marker though the holes you drilled and make a mark onto the butcher block.

Now, use your drill to pre drill some small holes into the butcher block for your kitchen island. Do not under any circumstances drill through the butcher-block counter top.

Now, place the butcher block back onto the kitchen inland. Screw some long wood screws thought the predrilled holes you made. This ill hold your butcher block in place.

If you need legs to raise the height of your vintage trunk to counter height install wooden legs in each of the four corners in the same way you installed the butcher block.

Now, flip the entire vintage kitchen island over. Add your casters to the legs of the Vintage Trunk if you want your kitchen island to be mobile.

Now, flip the kitchen island back over. Attach a towel bar to the side of the Vintage Trunk kitchen island. You can use it for kitchen towels or even put some S hooks on the bar and hang utensil or pots and pans on your kitchen island. Use the other side of the Vintage Trunk to attach some small baskets and maybe even another towel bar. Ikea has a great selection of bars perfect for this.

Now you have a unique vintage trunk turned into a great function kitchen island. You have added storage and function with the additional compartment storage inside and towel bars on the outside.