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Design a Tropical Oasis: Infuse Personality into Your Kitchen Island with Vibrant Hues

Island Getaways Are Something We All Dream Of—Create Your Own Island Retreat by Adding Color to Your Kitchen Island

The 2024 Design Trends are:

  • Island Escape: Spruce up your island and turn it into a destination area with a fun color that stands out.
  • Color Splash: Repaint a door and/or trim in an unexpected shade to elevate your space.
  • Murality: Unleash your inner artist and create a unique mural that is distinctly yours.
  • Wainscot Just a Min: Add a pop of color to a room with painted wainscoting.

We embraced the Island Retreat trend and were excited to make our white island more special.


Materials Needed:
  • FrogTape
  • Paintbrush
  • Small Paint Roller
  • Primer
  • Cabinet, Door, and Trim Paint
  • Screwdriver
  • Painter’s Paper Roll
  • Heavy Duty Cabinet Cleaner
  • Paint Deglosser
  • Fine Grit Sandpaper

If you’re adding molding, you will also need molding, a miter saw, a nail gun, and caulking.


Step 1: Select a Fun, Bold Color for Your Kitchen Island
  • If you plan to add decorative molding, use FrogTape to create a design on the island.
  • The kitchen island is a space where you can experiment with a brighter color. I recommend painting a small board or several boards with the chosen color and testing it near the island to see how it looks throughout the day as the lighting changes.
  • When choosing a color, consider the other colors surrounding the island to ensure it complements the rest of the space.
Step 2: Remove Cabinet Doors and Hardware
  • Using a screwdriver, remove the cabinet and drawer hardware, as well as the doors.
Step 3: Tape Off the Kitchen Island Using FrogTape
  • If you have wood floors, be sure to use the yellow FrogTape for delicate surfaces to avoid damage.
Step 4: Clean the Cabinet Doors and Island
  • I used a strong TSP substitute cleaner. Be sure to wear gloves when cleaning.
Step 5: Prepare the Cabinets and Island for Paint
  • Use a paint deglosser to remove some of the surface’s sheen before sanding with fine-grit sandpaper. This helps the paint adhere better.
Step 6: Apply Primer on the Island and Cabinet Doors
  • Be sure to use a high-quality primer. You can also have it tinted to match your final paint color.
Step 7: Paint with High-Quality Cabinet, Door, and Trim Paint in a Semi-Gloss or Gloss Finish
  • Just like with primer, using high-quality paint is essential and worth the investment. A semi-gloss or gloss finish will make your kitchen island look polished and durable.
Step 8 (Optional): Add Decorative Molding to the Sides and Back of the Island and Repaint the Molding
  • This step requires more time. Plan your layout and use a miter saw to cut the molding. Install the molding on the kitchen island using a nail gun. Caulk around the molding to ensure extra attachment and hide any gaps. Repaint the molding to match the island.
Step 9: Remove FrogTape, Reinstall Hardware, and Mount Doors and Drawers
  • Using a screwdriver, reinstall the hardware onto the doors and cabinets, then attach the doors back to the island.
Step 10: Enjoy!

Enjoy your newly transformed kitchen island as the ultimate focal point in your home!