Kitchen Progress: Removing a Two Tiered Kitchen Island Countertop

Our latest kitchen renovation project was a big one, we cut down our two tiered kitchen countertop and installed a larger countertop that is all one level using butcher block!

We also painted the cabinets on this side of the kitchen, started trimming the island out on the side, installed a new sink and faucet, and added an additional base cabinet! Here is a before and after of our current progress!

Although I am calling this a two tiered kitchen island it’s actually a kitchen peninsula! But, it’s just easier for me to say island!

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When we first moved in, I knew this outdated, split level countertop had to go. It was such a waste of space for us as we never used it as a breakfast bar.

Further, our kitchen just doesn’t have much countertop space, so we knew we wanted to make it one level and larger both in length and width to really maximize counter space.

I can’t get over the difference now! Not only have we created a lot more countertop space, but I love being able to easily see over the countertops now. And I can’t tell you how good it feels to eliminate the laminate blue countertops!

I love the warmth that the butcher block provides and I love our gorgeous new farmhouse sink and brass faucet even more.

They are the prettiest sink and faucet that we’ve ever owned and going from a two basin sink to a larger one basin sink is just amazing I can’t even describe it haha!

This was the biggest DIY of our current kitchen renovation and Brandon and I did it all ourselves.

I am not going to provide a step by step tutorial because we really just figured out this whole project as we went, but here is an overview of what we did in case you are interested!

Overview: How to remove a two tiered kitchen countertop

First, we used a prybar to remove the top level countertop and see what we were working with.

Then, our electrician stopped by to discuss the project because there are 5 outlets on this island which we want to have either moved or removed.

After that, we decided due to all of the wiring and plumbing it would be best to cut down the countertop with mostly hand tools (and with the power turned off) rather than going at it with a power saw.

The next step was to remove the drywall and pry up the 2×4 framing along the top.

Finally, the last demo step was using a hand saw and our Dremel to cut down the vertical 2×4 studs, the plywood, and more drywall in order to make it all one level. Whenever we do any type of demo in the house, I always have the shop vac going to help eliminate the bulk of the dust right away!

With demo complete, we attached our new base cabinet to extend the countertop length and add more storage:

We then built a frame out of 2x4s and 3x3s for the new island size. This was the hardest part of this project, trying to get the measurements correct and account for all of our trim and new island countertop width of 39″ wide.

We also needed to make sure everything was square, which was a challenge since the island wasn’t square to begin with. Honestly, it’s not perfect, but we tried our best!

Once our frame was installed, we spent two days making the cuts for our island butcher block countertops which we previously finished. I will be sharing more about the finishing process and why we chose them in an upcoming post!

Not only did we need to join 3 countertops together, we had to cut out of it for our farmhouse sink and install that along with our new beautiful faucet!

After living without a kitchen sink for a few days and doing dishes in the bath tub we were very grateful to finish this part of the project!

Painting cabinets and adding trim to the kitchen island

This week we continued this project by painting cabinets, installing our new kitchen cabinet hardware, and trimming out the side of the island! I am going for an English cottage look with the wider beadboard and layered trim.

We still have to complete the largest side of the island but we are waiting for our electrician to complete the outlet work that needs to be done. I am also planning to have him install an outlet in our new end base cabinet so we can do a DIY charging station drawer!

Next up though will be our DIY pull out trash can cabinet so stay tuned! I can’t wait to finish this kitchen renovation.

We have a lot left to do, but this was the biggest project to get through and we did it! The goal is to finish the kitchen makeover by Christmas while we also have several other house and holiday projects planned…!

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