Adding a kitchen island post to your existing cabinetry
Last week, I worked on a project that I have been pushing off for a long long time. If you look closely at the following two photos then you can probably see that the right kitchen island post wasn’t attached yet. So today I want to show you what post I bought and how I attached it to the cabinets, countertop, and island overall.
RELATED: I also recently wrote a blog post about updating a kitchen without replacing the cabinets. I’m sure you can find an idea to use for your kitchen remodel.
Adding a kitchen island post to your existing cabinets
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Here is another view from the old kitchen and counter with no post at all.
When I cut down the half wall kitchen counter and had the new countertop put in, the original drywall part that stuck out looked strange. I purchased a plain rubber wood post (you can find a similar rubber wood post, HERE and HERE, or buy any other type of wood post you’d like) at the local kitchen design store to make it look more symmetrical. But all I ever did is paint the post. I never attached it. SHAME ON ME!
Supply list
- wooden post (similar ones HERE, HERE and HERE)
- coping saw
- finish nails, liquid nails and caulk
- Kilz Primer
- Cabinet Coat
- painters tape
- paint brush and roller
My kitchen island post installation instructions
It has been leaning like that since last summer 🙂 oops! I disguised it very well though don’t you think so?
So after one too many people banged into it and asked me what was up with it, I finally decided to tackle this project.
I had to rip off existing molding which left a slight mess.
My best friends for those types of projects are liquid nails and caulk. Couldn’t live without them.
I glued the post to the cabinet, cut the molding to size, predrilled the holes before nailing and gluing the molding to the cabinets and then I caulked everything.
Primer and paint solved the rest and tied everything together to make the post look like it has always been there.
Lots of sawing (coping saw), gluing, some nailing, caulking, and painting involved.
As stated in my other posts about this kitchen, I use Kilz Primer to prep the cabinets and molding for paint and I use Cabinet Coat for the final paint finish.
But now I finally have a solid pillar at the end of my counter and they can all bang into it if they want to. So much better and I have no clue why I waited so long. Seriously! We all have these projects that we keep moving to the bottom of our list, right? This was one of mine.
The conclusion is that by adding a kitchen counter post to your existing cabinets you can update them and give them a new expensive look for only a small amount of money spent.
But now I finally have a solid pillar at the end of my counter and they can all bang into it if they want to. So much better and I have no clue why I waited so long. Seriously! We all have these projects that we keep moving to the bottom of our list, right? This was one of mine.
Photos of the finished kitchen island counter post
The conclusion is that by adding a kitchen counter post to your existing cabinets you can update them and give them a new expensive look for only a small amount of money spent.
Another affordable update that I have done is that I peeled the laminate of the cabinet doors because it was getting damaged and cracked and repainted the drawer and door fronts. You can read how to update laminate kitchen cabinets and see what I did.
My favorite painting tips and tricks might also be helpful.
Since this post, some things have changed. I added a new backsplash and painted the walls white. How to install a marble subway tile backsplash
A newer photo of our kitchen:
I used plain stools and painted them. You can find the tutorial HERE.
And the gold faucet HERE and pineapple HERE.
Check out the new wood bead pendant I made for the kitchen.
Tschüß,
those posts make such a great difference! and the gardens look so gorgeous to me! i haven’t worked in mine at all… chris has though a bit. thank goodness or they’d be reeeeeeeaaaally bad!
Love the counter end! It ended up looking great. And… you totally convinced me, I need some ferns!
Love the posts…and your garden is GORGEOUS!! I worked out in mine a bit yesterday – I am hoping for warmer weather today…I am praying that the little “baby” gets a home real quick!!
Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG
I’m guilty of taking forever to finish little projects too, those posts look great, so does your yard, soooo pretty!!! I’m glad that sweet kitty got picked up too, I laughed when I saw the photo last night I think it’s sweet everyone knows your the kitty lady! 🙂
I love how the posts make your island look so custom and “built in.” And I couldn’t help but laugh that you’ve become the lady everyone brings cats too- so happy he’s found a home 😉
Oh my, I’ve been DYING to extend our countertop to a bar! I can’t wait to go through this in depth. Thanks Julia!
I’m right with you Julia – I put off annoying little projects forever and then wonder why I didn’t do it months ago once I finally finish them off. Love how the counter post finished things off in your kitchen – it looks great! And your outdoor area is gorgeous!!
Julia I love your updated kitchen and I’m a huge garden fan and adore all your pictures. I love hostas and all your beauties. Your yard is so lush! I’m beginning to get mine under control after this extreme winter but the weeds just keep on coming! Have a great week. Xo Nancy
ooh, nice–it looks like it’s always been there! And I love waking up to pretty garden and adorable kitten pictures 🙂
Oh, it must feel so good to cross that off your list! I hate those kinds of projects! Hope you get to take advantage of the new hammock and enjoy your stunning garden, I love all the varied textures!
The posts are so, so professionally done and they look like you hired a high-end contractor..
Your garden, well, IT IS LUSH AND GORGEOUS!
What a beautiful backyard! I don’t think I could ever leave that hammock! It would be my designated nap time place if I could take a nap!
The post detail looks great. It adds to the high-end-ness of your kitchen. And WOW your backyard is stunning. It looks like a secret garden!
I want to move into your backyard. If I show up in a cage, will you keep me? 😉 Also, the kitchen is looking fab!!!
That post was the perfect finishing touch! I have a mile-long list of projects like that – it’s not just you 🙂 I love your garden area! It’s already so hot here I hate the thought of spending time outside. Can I come over and lay in your hammock? 🙂
LOVE the posts in the kitchen and it completely finishes off that space. And, totally jealous over your gardens. I really need to get working on ours.Angela @ Number Fifty-Three
Love the added detail in the kitchen! I’m insanely jealous of the garden and hammock. We are sand and wildflowers over here. Ugh. No fun.
I love the post you added. It makes such a huge difference and gives it a really custom look. Love the lush garden – especially that Japanese maple tree.
Thank you so much. That maple tree was free out of a friends garden and we love it
What a difference that makes! I have lots of little loose end projects that I need to just take care of. Your backyard is like an oasis, so pretty!
Such a great idea! I think I’m going to have to try this in our kitchen since we are just “making do” until we can fully renovate. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thanks and thanks for coming over.
Your backyard is stunning!!!
The yard is looking amazing and I love the piece you added to your counter. Such a custom look. And hooray for crossing off a long-neglected project! I have so many too 🙂
Never would have noticed that post, but it looks so good now that you’re done! Your yard is such an oasis…lovely!
Your kitchen looks amazing and I love the detail that the molding added! But hello! I want all of those healthy lovely plants in your yard! I have a pretty much blank bank in my backyard that I’ve never had a vision for until now! Love it Julia!
Corey @ TinySidekick.com
I love how the post made the counter and end wall look finished. So pretty. I love your floors too.
Your garden is INSANE! I love all the layers and textures. Everything looks so lush and pretty. Love it!! I could totally see myself taking a nap in that hammock 🙂
Hostas have quickly become one of my favorite plants too. I love the fact that they come back every year. Your home and yard are so beautiful! You have gorgeous ideas!
I love the posts! They look so professionally done and really amp up the ‘custom’ factor of your kitchen! Well done Julia!
A lot of work, but what a difference. We did a post recently about its “all in the details”. So wish I’d had this image to use…
what a difference that post makes, it looks amazing! Your yard has me dreaming – our hostas and ferns and such are just starting to come out of the ground!
Your garden is beautiful. I love this time of year!
I love the character and detail that adds to your kitchen. Very nice!
It’s amazing what wood trim accents can do for giving the kitchen a custom look. I’ve done some similar projects and it’s made a huge difference. Great job, Julia! I love your kitchen, especially your backsplash!
Thanks so much Tamara
It looks so beautifully finished after! We have lots of those little jobs around here… Beautiful garden Julia!
Your home is beautiful! I just stopped by to see Kris’s pet post and now I am following you! Love your style!
-Shelley
Hi, I just found and started following your fun & lovely blog. What a great way to customize and finish off the ends of any cabinets. Thanks for sharing this idea of yours! I can even see posts with routed grooves on the exposed sides, etc. Just using smaller sized posts and appling trim boards that already have the routed grooves in them. Just a thought.
You have so many beautiful hostas and other plantas in your garden too. I wish I knew the names of some of the plants! Some people can see every where as a room, and just do it successfully. Like you can. Others like me, practically need a blueprint to follow. 🙂
I can’t find where to “like” something on your blog. I guess it’s because I’m so new. So far I like so much!
Wishing you all the best in this new year!
Hi Nancy, thanks so much. You can do it in your garden, I’m certain of it.
Do you mean you can’t like my page on Facebook? I just moved my blog to a new website so I’m always scared something isn’t working that I don’t know about.
Have a great weekend.
Where did you buy the post? I have never heard of rubberwood. Would it be able to stain or just paint? Thanks for the tutorial. I am SO doing this!
Kelly
Hi Kelly, I had never heard of that wood either. You can stain it. I ordered it at a local supply company who has more custom options than the big chains. I wonder if you could order it right online somewhere. Good luck!
Would it not be cheaper to buy 4×4 douglas fir and crown molding instead of rubberwood? I don’t see how you can use a premade post and cut the ends to do this job. Seems to be a waste of money and extra time to do a simple job.
You might be right there but for what I wanted I could t find anything at all at local stores and this is what we came up with at another local store after searching forever I just went with it.
I’m sure you can find a better price than I did 😉