[gentlepuppies]

The kitchen in my new condo has about 2 linear feet of counter space lol. I want 5 more feet, in the form of a fixed island/kitchen table (no cabinets). I'm thinking a white Corian for the top and 2 ends, connected by a wood veneer, as basic as it gets:

I'm hoping to keep this around $1000 or less.

 

[TheKingEast]

I was looking for something like this when I was condo shopping and gave up. The prices are high especially for what you want. For what you described, you'd be lucky to find anything under $5K.

Good start might be with Ikea? You can design the island and get pricing on it in store.

 

[gentlepuppies]

Ok, doesn't have to be solid corian, just a thin veneer on top to match my existing countertop will do! As long as it doesn't look like it's from Ikea!

 

[narduch]

My recommendation is to use IKEA to build the cabinets and find a granite/stone place for the countertop.

Back in 2011 we built our kitchen island this way. We paid about $1,000 for the cabinetry (including doors and drawers). I think our island is about 6-feet by 6-feet.

We paid $800 for the granite counter top installed. We may have gotten a deal because it was my father-in-laws friend.

The base for the island you are looking to build shouldn't be to expensive based on your sketch.

 

[W. K. Lis]

IKEA even has online design online software to help... a bit. See link. You can start at home or start at the IKEA store.

 

[gentlepuppies]

unfortunately Ikea countertops come in standard 2 foot depths. I'd need at least 30 inches depth for it to work as a dining table.

 

[W. K. Lis]

Don't need to get the countertop at the same place as the cabinets.

 

[gentlepuppies]

My quote from Ikea (excluding supporting millwork) was $3500 for the first picture and $2000 for the second picture (though with the same 1.5" stone - thinner wasn't an option). The cheapest option would be acrylic at $1500 for the second picture (also 1.5" thick). Yikes!

 

[ElizabethMunk]

I made my own kitchen island, it is pretty time consuming but easy to build once you get the hang of it. This is the blog that I referred to when I was having them build

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/rooms-and-spaces/kitchen/how-to-build-a-custom-kitchen-island . I choose a quartz countertop because it lasts longer and does not chip or crack. Wooden counter bar stools would look with quartz countertop. I bought one from wicker emporium for about $144.

 

[Brightstar826]

I have heard that Quartz is a great material for counter tops since it does not stain and is durable. I would also love to have a big island but my current kitchen layout does not allow for it.

 

[old boy]

I did my island with a quartz countertop, 48" x 75", and would recommend it highly if you can afford it. No problems after almost 6 years.