DIY A Chic And Moody Kitchen Island With TikTok's Clever Upgrade

While kitchens during the past several decades have often favored white cabinetry, walls, and light countertops, black is fast becoming a moodier, darker, and more dramatic alternative. This is especially true for cabinetry, where black and other deeper shades are slowly replacing classic white or wood grain for homeowners looking to bring a bit more texture and variation to their kitchens. TikTok user @lkbuilds recently showed off a simple but high-impact way to give her kitchen peninsula a facelift using this popular neutral shade, replacing a rather non-descript white surround with a paneled matte black.

The effect is stunning, particularly when combined with the glossy white countertop and penny-tiled backsplash, which softens the look of the black and makes the room look cohesive. @lkbuilds combines the new peninsula finish with a set of black metal stools that grant a chic industrial look to the overall space. Even better, this transformation is an easy-to-do and cost-friendly DIY that anyone can accomplish to make their island a bit more luxe and custom-looking. 

@lkbuilds begins by removing the existing trim. She then adds a series of primed shiplap planks from Lowes with a nail gun. To get a thorough finish, she paints the side of the slats before applying them to the surround, making the final coat of paint much easier since she does not have to worry about getting sufficient paint into the seams. After covering the entire surface of the island with the slats, she paints them a rich, matte black using Behr shade Cracked Pepper from Home Depot. To finish it off at the bottom, she paints and adds a 3.5-inch piece of MDF board from Lowes.

You can also vary the size of the wood slats, including using narrow slats for a more sculptural look, or larger planks perfect for a modern farmhouse-designed space. While @lkbuilds uses pre-primed shiplap, a variety of wood slats that lock into place with each other, you can also re-create these hacks with basic 1x4 or 1/2 x 4 wood planks placed side by side, which can be primed and nailed to the wall. For an eco-friendly approach, you can also use wood salvaged from other projects. 

By painting your island or peninsula a contrasting color, a popular kitchen reno hack that packs a punch, you can add another layer and greater dimension to the space. While black cabinets may be a little darker than you are willing to go, a dramatic black island paired with lighter or wood cabinets can look stunning. Most kitchen islands or peninsulas can be very nondescript, with most finished in the same finish as cabinets elsewhere in the room. 

This hack is also a nice halfway point if you desire a pop of contrasting color or are considering a drastic cabinet color change. While @lkbuilds chose black, you can also use this space as a spot for a wood finish look, choosing to stain the boards rather than paint them for a lighter look. If black feels too dark, you might try a steely gray, forest green, or dark navy to add a bit more interest to the color scheme of your kitchen.