DIY Kitchen Island: Transforming a $30 Oak Table Find |

When you love a good DIY challenge, you learn to see potential in just about anything — even an old table that’s missing its leaves. That’s exactly what happened when I spotted this little gem on Facebook Marketplace for just $30. The table was solid oak, in good shape structurally, and had beautiful lines — but it needed a new purpose.

thrifted table for a kitchen island project

Meanwhile our newly renovated galley kitchen was missing two things: vintage charm and extra workspace. We didn’t have room for a full island, but I knew we could create something that added both function and warmth.

galley kitchen with vaulted shiplap ceiling and skylights, page gray cabinets and terracotta tile floor

The Vision

Instead of hunting down a pricey rolling cart or kitchen island, we decided to reimagine the old table into a mobile island. It already had the perfect length (40 inches), but at 30 inches wide, it was much too wide for our narrow space.

Enter Mr. HomeSpunStyle — my very handy husband! He got to work carefully reducing the table’s width from 30 inches to 16 inches, making it a better fit for our narrow kitchen. We kept the original length, since it suits the space perfectly. The first step was to remove the 5th leg which was no longer needed.

flipping an old oak table into a narrow kitchen island for a galley kitchen

The original table had leaves which meant that the table pulled apart into two sections from the middle. He removed the sliding pieces that allowed the sections to be pulled apart as they were no longer needed.

transforming an old oak table into a rolling kitchen island

Mr. HomeSpunStyle cut out equal sizes pieces from each section so that the width when the two pieces were joined back together was 16 inches.

cutting down an old oak table to make a kitchen island

He then permanently joined the two sections with biscuit joints and wood glue.

cutting down an old table to transform into a narrow island for a galley kitchen

Transforming an old oak table into a rolling kitchen island for a narrow kitchen

One of my favorite details: he repurposed the sections of tabletop he cut off to create a lower shelf, adding both function and stability. Nothing went to waste!

vintage oak island on wheels in galley style kitchen

To make the table the right height for kitchen use — and easy to move around — we added new brass and rubber wheels. Aren’t they cute? The brass ties in beautifully with our cabinet hardware and adds just a hint of vintage charm.

The Finish

We stripped the old finish, gave it a fresh stain, and sealed it with several layers of satin polyurethane for a smooth, durable surface. The soft sheen pairs well with our kitchen’s modern finishes while keeping that natural wood warmth.

narrow island on wheels made from vintage table for a galley kitchen

And because we’re all about upcycling around here, Mr. HomeSpunStyle didn’t let the table’s original fifth leg go to waste — he transformed it into two candlestick holders! I love that the story of this table lives on in multiple ways throughout our home!

closeup of skinny island made from vintage kitchen table

two vintage oak candlestick holders made from old table leg

The Reveal

The finished piece adds just the right amount of vintage character and natural wood tone to our newly renovated kitchen. Our cabinets are painted “Icy Avalanche”, a very pale gray that keeps things light and airy, paired with quartz countertops and oak floating shelves. The rolling island ties everything together and brings that handcrafted, collected feel we love.