Hey there, fellow DIY enthusiasts! Let’s talk about crafting something amazing for the heart of your home—a rolling kitchen island. As someone who loves tackling bigger projects, I knew creating a functional and stylish island would be a rewarding challenge.
The Blank Canvas and Inspiration Strikes
It all began with this awkward blank wall in my kitchen, just begging for a makeover. 
Blank wall in the kitchen… build a custom rolling island! We designed ours to house the microwave and trash can… AND it has a butcherblock counter top! {Reality Daydream} I envisioned a rolling island with a butcher block top, a designated space for the microwave, and maybe some extra storage. Naturally, I turned to Pinterest, my trusty source of DIY inspiration.
Hours of scrolling led me to four amazing designs that sparked my creativity:
- Island with Storage Galore: I loved the ample storage space and the possibility of incorporating a dedicated cabinet for a trash can.
Rolling Kitchen Island inspiration came from lots of sources. - Modern Chic: The sleek design and open shelving of this island exuded a modern elegance that I found incredibly appealing.
- Industrial Strength: The metal accents on this island gave it a cool, industrial vibe, balanced with a touch of femininity. The wheels were a showstopper!
- Substantial Beauty: This design by the amazing Ana White caught my eye with its sturdy, substantial presence—a true statement piece.
Sketching Dreams and Building Plans
Inspired, I grabbed my trusty pencil and sketchbook, letting my design ideas flow. 
Sketch of how I want my custom kitchen island! (Tutorial included!) I envisioned a wine rack, but considering my little one’s penchant for exploration, I opted for safety over shattered glass dreams.
Thankfully, I have my amazing husband who’s a whiz with measurements and technical drawings. He transformed my sketch into a detailed plan, which you can download here on Robert Kline Art. 
Building plans for rolling kitchen island with a place for garbage can and microwave!
Bringing the Vision to Life
We used ¾” plywood for the main structure and added poplar strips to conceal the exposed plywood edges. Using a T-square and a counterbore bit, we pre-drilled screw holes for a smooth assembly. 
Measure and drill holes to make construction easy on this rolling kitchen island. Our trusty Kreg Foreman made drilling pocket holes a breeze—truly a DIY game-changer!
We assembled the shelves, bottom rail, and cabinet doors, taking care to sand and prime everything before painting. 
Rolling Kitchen Island My little helper, Paisley, seized the opportunity to try her hand at operating the orbital sander—talk about adorable! 
The rolling kitchen island gets custom cabinet doors! 
Paisley operating the orbital sander prior to priming the custom DIY rolling kitchen island.
Once the primer dried, we went for a sleek, glossy finish using Rustoleum’s “Night Tide,” the same color as our KitchenAid mixer. 
Prime the rolling kitchen island before painting. After the paint cured, it was time to attach the wheels, slide in some perfectly sized baskets, and start organizing!
A Rolling Masterpiece
The finishing touch was a custom butcher block top with a unique wood pattern that deserves its own reveal. Stay tuned for that! 
Designing and building a custom rolling kitchen island with a place for the microwave and trash can!
Here’s how beautifully it all came together:
Custom DIY Rolling Kitchen Island …with butcher block top, and a place for the microwave and trash!
This custom DIY rolling kitchen island was built with a butcher block top, and a place for the microwave and trash!
See how the custom DIY rolling kitchen island fits perfectly?!
Small Tweaks, Big Impact
We replaced our old cabinet hardware with these sleek, modern pulls from Hickory Hardware, and the transformation is incredible! 
Reality Daydream Kitchen- check out that new hardware! It’s amazing how such a small change can make a world of difference.
Kitchen by Reality Daydream
Check out this DIY Custom Rolling Kitchen Island build.
Playful Chaos and Cherished Memories
With our laundry area relocated, the former space transformed into a delightful play kitchen for my girls. 
We put the play kitchen in the pantry where the old washer and dryer used to be.
Paisley and Dell in their Play Kitchen.
A messy (but cute) kitchen!
Speaking of play kitchens, here’s a blast from the past—my own childhood play kitchen, handcrafted by my grandfather. 
Custom DIY Rolling Kitchen Island: Free Building Plans! It’s filled with countless memories, and it holds a special place in my heart.
Your Turn to Create
So, there you have it—a glimpse into my DIY kitchen island adventure. If this project has inspired you to tackle your own, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! And don’t forget to explore Robert Kline Art for more creative inspiration and unique handmade gifts.
Happy crafting!