DIY · Kitchen · Budget Makeover

Our $46 Kitchen Island Makeover: A Custom Look Without Replacing a Thing

Who says a kitchen makeover has to cost a fortune? With a few pine boards, some simple trim, and finishing supplies we already owned, we gave our island a warmer, more custom look for $45.94 in new materials.

Straight-on view of the completed kitchen island, with stained vertical pine panels framed in white. — The finished island: stained pine panels framed in crisp white trim.

Our kitchen island was perfectly functional. But its gray decorative filigree was no longer the look I wanted. I was after something cleaner, warmer, and a little more timeless—without replacing a perfectly good island.

Making another project for my husband and me? Apparently, absolutely necessary. Lucky man.

The Before: Why We Changed It

The original island had bold gray ornamental detailing. Once we removed those decorative pieces, we had a blank canvas for a more streamlined, furniture-inspired design.

Before: the original island featured bold gray decorative filigree.

The kitchen in 2018, before the island and other refresh projects.

The Materials

Purchased for this project

Style Selections unfinished pine shiplap / slat-wall boards — one 6-pack, $29.98
Primed 1×3×8-ft boards — two boards, $7.98 each

Already on hand

Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
Minwax Color Wash — White Wash
Behr Rustic Wood Effects — Rustic Brown B4604
White paint, screws, ¾-inch brad nails, foam brushes, cotton rags, sandpaper
Measuring tools, saw, drill, and brad nailer

Step 1: Remove the Dated Details

We removed the existing gray filigree while keeping the island’s original cabinetry and structure. No demolition, no replacement cabinets—just a cleaner surface to work with.

The island after removing the decorative filigree, before adding the new wood.

A closer look at the cleared island panel, ready for the makeover.

Step 2: Measure and Cut the Shiplap

We chose unfinished pine shiplap boards rather than individual 1×1 slats. Their overlapping edges form a consistent repeating pattern. We cut the boards to the necessary length and ripped an edge where needed to fit the available space.

Lining up the shiplap boards for cutting; painter’s tape helps hold the pieces together.

Cutting shiplap to length with the miter saw.

The cutting photos tell an especially useful part of the story. One attempt caused splintering at the end of the thin wood profile:

An imperfect cut: thin pine edges can splinter, especially across their profile.

TIH tip: Thin molded profiles can splinter on a crosscut. Test on a scrap first; support the wood fully, use a suitable sharp blade, and consider painter’s tape over the cut line to help reduce tear-out. Always keep hands outside the saw’s safe zone and use clamps where appropriate.

Step 3: Condition and Stain the Wood

Our goal was a warm natural-looking finish, not too dark or orange. We used Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner, followed by Minwax Color Wash in White Wash, then Behr Rustic Wood Effects in Rustic Brown.

We applied the color products using foam brushes and wiped them back with cotton rags, working with the grain. We also stained the visible boards before installation so the grooves were easier to reach.

TIH tip: Use the same application and wiping tools on your test boards as on the final project. The tools and timing can affect how much color stays on the wood. Let test samples dry before making your final decision.

Step 4: Create the White 1×3 Frames

We built the framing using only 1×3 boards—two eight-foot boards in total. We secured the frame pieces with screws from inside the island cabinetry to keep the finished exterior free of visible screw heads.

Step 5: Install the Pine Panels

We installed the stained shiplap vertically inside the white frame, securing it with ¾-inch brad nails. The overlapping boards gave us the clean, evenly repeated vertical texture without individually spacing dozens of strips.

Installing the stained pine boards within the white 1×3 frame.

Securing the panels with the brad nailer.

Step 6: Paint the Frame and Enjoy the Reveal

We finished the framing with white paint to coordinate with the existing cabinetry. The result is a warm wood inset wrapped in crisp white trim, with the original island still doing its job.

The finished island, with warm vertical pine boards framed by white trim.

What It Actually Cost

New materials	Cost
Pine shiplap, 6-pack	$29.98
Two 1×3 boards at $7.98	$15.96
Total before tax	$45.94

We already owned the stains, conditioner, white paint, fasteners, and tools. The $45.94 total is our new-material outlay, not the full cost to buy every supply from scratch; labor and tax are excluded.

What We Learned

Reuse what works. Choose materials that simplify the project. Plan your fastening method before you start. And don't assume every cut will be perfect the first time.

Sometimes the best place to shop for your next project is your own garage.

This island makeover is one part of our larger kitchen refresh, alongside updated lighting, hardware, paint, window treatments, and our custom-framed calendar and weather station.

Beautiful homes evolve—one thoughtful project at a time.