The HGTV Star-Approved Solution For An Affordable Kitchen Island

Did you ever think there might be a day when people stopped clamoring for huge islands in their kitchens? While the island is not going anywhere — especially for people with generously sized kitchens and the space for large storage solutions mixed with counter space — many are turning to a different option to give their kitchens extra prep space without the bulk. The humble prep table, which functions as a smaller, more affordable kitchen island, is gaining steam in kitchen design, and often makes an appearance on HGTV's "Home Town."

While kitchen islands obviously range in size and vary in materials, they can cost anywhere between $900 and $6,500, which means they are not always a budget-friendly option. (There are, however, some inexpensive ways to DIY a more traditional kitchen island.) Prep tables, however, can be incredibly easy on the wallet. Old tables abound on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craiglist — and eagle-eyed consumers can spot roadside freebies and deals that just need a little elbow grease.

Whether you use a restored antique — like HGTV's Ben and Erin Napier did in one episode — or build something new to just the right specifications — as the Napiers did in their own home — replacing a kitchen island with a prep table can be an ingenious kitchen storage solution.

The beauty of rethinking how you picture kitchen islands is once you move away from the idea that you need a permanent fixture, you are only limited by your own creativity. Any piece of furniture with a flat top and the right dimensions for your space can be repurposed as a prep table.

Adding a few shelves or even baskets can add valuable storage, transforming a table into more than just a prep space. Using an old dresser as an unconventional island is convenient, as it already has drawers that are easy to reuse for more kitchen storage. The same goes for dining room buffets and desks — all of which are easy to source inexpensively. You can also use these hacks to get rid of scratches in your old wooden furniture before putting the repurposed island on display.

Once you have found the right piece for your needs, the main thing to consider when trying to repurpose old furniture for a kitchen island is the work surface. Do you want to be able to cut directly on the surface, worry-free? Then you may need to consider replacing wooden tops with stone. At the very least, you will need a food-grade finish, such as tung oil, to seal the surface. Otherwise, it's all about picking the perfect shade of paint to complement your kitchen.