How To Build A Double Row Ikea Kitchen Island!
Dreaming of a BIG kitchen island right in your own home?
You’ve come to the right place!
In this guide, bolstered by over 240 successful IKEA kitchen installations, I’ll explain how to seamlessly install double rows of Ikea kitchen cabinets back-to-back to create your dream IKEA kitchen island.
In the assembly instructions for the Sektion cabinets provided by Ikea, you’ll see that they’ve included instructions for how to do this. However, there are a few issues with their instructions, so I have made my way of doing it, which I will share with you in this post,
You can watch the full video below or keep reading to learn more.
If anything in the instructions below is unclear, please refer to the video for more detailed information.
Assemble the Kitchen Cabinets
To assemble the kitchen cabinets, follow the instructions in my previous video.
Please note I deviated from the video in a few places.
First, install the uppermost brackets protruding further out, while the bottom bracket can be installed in the same way as I do for the single-row island, as shown in the video. This will cause the MDF island assembly kit strip to protrude from the cabinet rather than sit within the footprint of the cabinet between the two sides.
This will help create the same distance from the front of the cabinet to the back of that strip that we would have if the cabinet were sitting on a rail towards a wall. That enables us to use standard panels without cutting those in the width. That way, we can achieve a seamless look with no open edges.
These little adjustments will make the island so much better.
Secure the First Cabinet Row to the Floor
Install the full-depth row of cabinets first. Ensure you have everything where you want, and ensure a minimum of 4.5 inches (Metric countries: 85 mm) from the bottom of the cabinet to the floor.
Assemble the island support brackets that will help you secure the cabinets to the floor.
Mount The Lower MDF Strips
Once the cabinets are secured, nail two layers of the MDF strip along the bottom to align with the top. Nailing both layers to the first layer will be much easier than attaching to both rows.
Secure the Second Row of Cabinets
Next, line the two rows up against each other. Make sure one end is flush, and clamp the cabinets together.
I recommend clamping something rigid against one end, like a level, to ensure everything is completely flush.
Secure the two rows of cabinets together once everything is aligned and clamped in place. Make sure you put screws in both the cabinets’ top and bottom.
Once secured together, you can secure the island to the floor with the remaining island support brackets. Ensure the island hasn’t shifted and is still exactly where you want it.
Install the Side Panels
Finally, it is time to install the side panels. Since we added the extra width with the protruding MDF strips, you should not have to cut the width of the panels, and you’ll get that nice, clean seam.
Depending on whether you want the panels to go all the way to the floor or end at the bottom of the cabinet, you’ll cut the top of your panels to size.
Never cut the panels towards the floor because this can invite moisture around the floor and ruin the panel.
Also, mount the panels as shown to the right in the picture below, as it will make the panel 100% flush and strengthen the island.
With the panels in place, you can now add doors and drawers.
That is it. You did it!
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
Please read before proceeding: Disclosure.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I take pride in promoting the tools and products featured on this website. If you choose to click on a link and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
It’s important to note that my recommendations are solely based on my personal experience with each tool or product. I genuinely find them helpful and valuable, and the commission is not the driving factor behind my endorsement.
I have tried and tested every single tool I recommend – no exceptions.
I encourage you to only invest in these tools or products if you genuinely believe they will contribute to your goal attainment.
Go Green and save batteries
This is the third laser level I bought since I started to install kitchens, and hopefully, the last. It uses the same battery as my power tools and can run for a long time on a full charge.
This one has a green laser light, making it much easier to see the lines in broad daylight.
It is not a cheap tool, though, but I would have saved quite a bit of dollars if I had bought it, to begin with, instead of purchasing more affordable options twice.
Since I use the laser for a lot more than just checking ceilings and hanging rails, it has been money well spent for me.
Put it up and forget about it.
Before digging in and spending money on this pole, I clipped my (first) laser to a few suspension rails resting on something high in the corner of the room. Sounds time-consuming and complicated, right? Well, it was.
Also, I had to figure out an alternative way to position the level when installing the last suspension rail.
Now, with this pole, I put it up in a favourable position, and it just sits there during the entire installation, allowing me to move my level up or down easily.
Adds an extra joint to your arm.
Sometimes, the smaller tools make the biggest difference during an installation.
This little power tool extension allows you to put screws in tight spaces with little effort—a genuine time saver.
I use it to secure the island support brackets under the cabinets and mount hinges when I have a 5″ (modified) cabinet in the lineup.