Creating the Perfect Cafe Table for Your Small Space
Living in a cozy little kitchen, especially in a city like Toronto, comes with its challenges. Finding the perfect furniture to fit your space can be tricky, and sometimes, the exact piece you envision just isn’t available in stores. Rather than settling for something that doesn’t quite meet your needs, you can take matters into your own hands and create something that works perfectly for you.
If you’re looking for a kitchen table that’s not only functional but also serves as an island with extra storage, while still being compact enough for your small space, you don’t have to compromise. With a bit of creativity and a little help, you can build a custom piece that checks all the boxes, giving you both the style and practicality you need in your home.
The Vision
You’ve probably dreamed of having a kitchen that feels like a cozy café, where you can sit, sip coffee, and entertain guests with ease. I know I did. Originally, I repurposed a tall dresser into an island, which you may have seen featured on my YouTube show Rebecca Everly. While it was a fun project, it didn’t provide the functionality I really needed—there wasn’t enough storage, and it didn’t offer enough space for people to comfortably sit and chat around.
What I really wanted was a taller table to bring some height into the space, especially since I live in a small apartment. I love the vibe of sitting at a café counter by the window, and I wanted to recreate that feeling in my own home. A taller, counter-height table was just what the room needed to feel open and airy, rather than cramped or suffocating. It’s amazing how something as simple as changing the height of a piece of furniture can instantly make a small apartment feel more spacious.
Finding the Perfect Base
The search began. A month ago, while shopping at HomeSense my husband stumbled upon a sideboard dresser that was priced at just $250. As soon as he sent me the pic, I knew this was it. This would be our project. I had found my table.
Designing the Perfect DIY Kitchen Table
Starting with a solid piece was the perfect foundation for your DIY project. The key feature was that it didn’t have any drawers at the top, which was crucial for keeping the counter space open. If there had been a drawer, it would have limited your ability to fully utilize the surface, so the open design worked perfectly.
Initially, you might consider adding legs to build up the base for extra height. However, after giving it more thought, you may realize that what you really need is more functional shelving, not just added height. That’s when the idea might strike to focus on elevating the top instead of altering the legs.
To get a feel for the design, try experimenting with things you already have around the house. Playing with different layouts can help bring your vision to life and guide you toward the perfect setup for your space.
I experimented with different heights and arrangements, temporarily stacking some crates on top of the dresser and adding an old kitchen mat to mimic the look of a countertop. I think it’s so helpful to play around with what you already have—it gives you a better idea of what’s possible and what you can create.
Creating a DIY Kitchen Island with Height and Storage
Sometimes, the best ideas come from working with what you already have. For this project, we started by using an old dresser and adding a kitchen mat to mimic the look of a countertop. Playing around with items you already own helps you visualize what’s possible and sparks creativity for what you can create.
The concept was simple but effective—it gave you the extra height and storage space needed for a more functional kitchen.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Measuring Tape
- Mitre Saw or Mitre Box
- Sandpaper
- Wood blocks to raise the height
- Chosen Piece of Furniture (dresser, table, or cabinets)
- Wood Countertop of your choice
- Nails and Screws
- Gorilla Glue or Carpenter’s Adhesive
- Trim
- Beadboard (decorative paneling for sides)
- Water-based Sealant or Finish
- Paint
- Paint Brushes and Drop Cloth
- Latex Caulking
- Spackle
- Begin by measuring your space, aiming for a countertop that will fit seamlessly in your kitchen. Cut a butcher block countertop to size, and then add three extra pieces to build up the height of the counter. We chose one from IKEA, which cost around $200. Here is the one I used. Here (light Birch from Ikea)
2. Next, create three carpenter’s shoes and glue them onto the top of your dresser. If you don’t have carpenter’s shoes, you could also stack a few pieces of wood together and screw them into place.
For extra support, consider enlisting a handy friend who’s good with carpentry. With their help, you can create something called a “carpenter’s shoe”—a piece of wood that secures to the top of the dresser, allowing you to rest the countertop on it. This step ensures that your table is sturdy and functional.
3. We added water first so the glue would better absorb into the wood.
4. After they were glued down, we secured them with screws for extra stability.
5. Adding the Countertop
5. The next step was to get a countertop.
6. Next, we flipped the countertop upside down, glued the top part of the shoe to the underside of the countertop, and then, in one swift motion, flipped the entire piece right-side up and placed it on the dresser.
It was a bit of a challenge, but the result was exactly what I had imagined—a beautiful, sturdy countertop on top of the dresser base.
7. Add Bead Wainscot Panel. Here is the one I used from Home Depot. Here
8. We installed the beadboard with glue and Precision Framing Screws with wafer heads, ensuring a secure fit and a smooth, clean finish.
9. Now, it was time for a little colour. I wanted to add a fresh, modern touch to the piece. Inspired by my trip to Greece, I chose Balboa by Behr to paint and this colour is gorgeous and gave the island a sophisticated vibe. My tip is to be BOLD with colour.
I also painted the front frame only as I thought it gave it a unique look.
10. This piece originally had 2 drawers in the front. We removed one of the drawers and kept it open so that I could fit extra tall things in there. We did this by simply unscrewing the rails
Once the structure was complete, I realized the back of the dresser was a little too open for my liking. I originally planned to leave it open for a “visual baskets” look, but it began to feel messy.
11. Add more beadboard to the back, which we fixed with screws. This gave the piece a clean, polished look while maintaining the functionality I needed.
To keep the space airy and open, I decided to leave the side opening visible. It adds a nice visual element, without making the piece look too closed off. Plus, I wanted to keep the bottom open for easy sweeping and cleaning underneath. I painted the front frame only and kept the little drawer white.
Final Touches
12. Adding Trim to Your Island for That Pro Touch
Adding trim to your kitchen island is a simple yet effective way to give it a polished, professional look. You can easily pick up some trim from Home Depot that’s both affordable and easy to work with. Here’s how you can do it:
Cutting the Trim to Size: Start by measuring the perimeter of your island and cutting your trim pieces to the correct lengths. A miter saw works best for clean, precise cuts, but if you don’t have one, a mini miter box will also work great for making those perfect cuts, especially for the corners.
Perfect 45-Degree Angles: When it comes to the corners, make sure to use the miter saw (or mini miter box) to cut 45-degree angles. This ensures your trim pieces fit together seamlessly, giving your island a clean, crisp look. Taking the time to get these angles right is key for a professional finish.
Screwing vs. Nailing: While we ended up using low-inset screws to attach the trim, I recommend using a nail gun instead. Screws can take longer to install, and a nail gun will get the job done much faster. Using a nail gun will save you time and give a smoother, more seamless look.
You can use a latex caulking sealant to fill any gaps where the trim meets the island, and spackle to cover the screw or nail holes. Then, make sure to sand everything smooth for a clean finish.
Painting: Once the trim is attached, finish up by painting it with the same color as your island. This ensures everything matches perfectly and gives the entire space that cohesive, professionally finished appearance. I choose this beautiful blue colour from Behr. Here
For the seal and coat, I used a water-based Varathane link here and applied it with a sponge to minimize brush strokes and reduce bubbles. Between each coat, I lightly sanded with 220-grit sandpaper, which is key to achieving that smooth, even finish.
The Finished Product
The final result is a perfect blend of style and functionality. The island table fits beautifully in my small kitchen, and it’s exactly the kind of café-inspired vibe I was hoping for. It has plenty of storage space, a large countertop for prep or serving, and it’s just the right height for a cozy, relaxed atmosphere.
It’s amazing how a little creativity and some elbow grease can transform a simple piece of furniture into something truly unique. I highly recommend looking at what you already have and imagining how you can repurpose it for your own space. You might be surprised at what you can create with a bit of DIY spirit!
Conclusion
Not only will you save money, but you’ll also end up with a piece of furniture that perfectly fits both your needs and the aesthetics of your space. If you’re struggling to find that perfect piece for your home, I encourage you to think outside the box and get creative.
You never know what amazing solutions you might come up with!
Have you tried a project like this in your own space? What challenges did you face along the way? I’d love to hear your thoughts! If this post has inspired you, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to chat!
