How to Transform an IKEA Shelf into a Kitchen Island

British lifestyle blogger Jean Lou Meredith loves customizing IKEA furniture. One of her most successful finds was a kitchen island made from the KALLAX shelf. For this transformation, she involved her husband. They set themselves several challenging but interesting tasks: Make the island as compact and functional as possible, expanding the workspace without cluttering the kitchen area. Give it mobility so that the island can be moved during cleaning or when guests arrive. Find the optimal height for comfortable cooking and relaxing at the island during parties. Stay within a budget of up to £100.Step 1: Choose the base and compile a shopping list
For the base, Jean Lou Meredith chose a simple square KALLAX shelf. The other components were selected to match it:

• white KALLAX shelf,
• white KALLAX door insert (x2),
• set of four wheels "RILL",
• 40 cm rail "KUNGSFORSS" (x2),
• cutting board "LÄMMLIG" (x2),
• wood treatment oil "SHIGG".

Step 2: Assemble the cabinet and attach wheels
Note that the RILL set does not include screws, so you need to purchase them in advance. You'll need 16 screws with a diameter of 4 mm.

Step 3: Attach the rails
Attach the KUNGSFORSS rails to both sides of the cabinet. These can be used to hang towels and kitchen utensils conveniently. Before installation, experiment with the height to find your optimal setting.
Step 4: Assemble the countertop
Instead of a solid countertop, use two lightweight and durable cutting boards LÄMMLIG. Don't forget to treat the wood with special oil and refresh the layer every few months.
Should one of the parts of this improvised countertop break down, it is easy to replace with a new one.

Step 5: Insert the drawers
To add storage space, which is often lacking on small kitchens, Jean Lou Meredith inserted drawer units with doors into two of the cabinet openings. These can hold pots, pans, and household appliances. As for your favorite dishes, leave two open shelves for easy access.

You can install cabinets with doors or slide-out drawers – the choice is yours.Such an island can be used not only as an additional workspace but also as a bar counter during parties.