Erin Napier Swaps A Kitchen Island For A More Traditional Alternative

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Center islands can be a great addition for a functional and beautiful kitchen. They make use of that empty area in the middle of the room, providing extra prep and cooking space. Many also offer valuable storage via drawers and shelves underneath. In a recent remodel on HGTV's "Home Town," hosts Erin and Ben Napier debuted a stunning alternative to conventional islands by installing an elevated farmhouse table instead of a blockier, traditional center island. 

The table, crafted by Ben from scratch, offers a lot of Provence-style charm to this French country kitchen, featuring a raised tabletop that hits about hip level, drawers at the top, and a low shelf underneath for storing things like pots and pans. The look echoes a traditional farmhouse kitchen, giving off rustic charm in its textures and material. But you don't need to build this concept from scratch. In fact, it's the perfect opportunity to repurpose an old farmhouse-style dining table instead of throwing it out.

If you want to turn a farmhouse table into an epic kitchen island mimicking what Erin and Ben Napier did on "Home Town," there are many ways to get this rustic look. Modifying a farmhouse table to get a counter-height piece may be easier than you think. You can replace the legs of a standard height table with longer ones in a similar style. Or modify an existing farmhouse table by building a platform base with the top serving as a large shelf underneath the table. If you want, add wheeled casters under the platform, creating more height and providing mobility (great for easier cleaning). 

While these adjustments give you a chance to use a beautiful heirloom or thrifted table, you can find new tables with a raised design, like the Ashley Gesthaven farmhouse counter height dining table. Vintage kitchen islands and butcher blocks are also great thrift store finds to try in your kitchen, and offer a similar look and style.

Using a wooden farmhouse table as an island is a great chance to bring in warmer wood tones to the kitchen, especially if your cabinets are a basic color like white or gray that can sometimes clock as too sterile. Alternatively, matching wood tones between your table kitchen island and other wood finishes (like cabinets) can be tricky. Instead, you could paint the table a color that coordinates with your decor. Or consider upgrading a farmhouse table with a stainless steel or marble slab on top to more closely fit your aesthetic and needs.

Using a table as an island to craft a farmhouse kitchen without overdoing it lacks some of the benefits of a larger built-in island like outlets, plumbing, or an attached stovetop. But it can still be a great surface to work on and a gathering place for entertaining. A farmhouse table can also be a good alternative if you are looking for something easier and less expensive to install than a traditional built-in island. Tables can be less bulky in a kitchen that is narrower or has limited space in the middle of the room. Since the bottom is typically more open than a standard solid island, it can be a great way to help a small kitchen feel bigger.

If you add caster wheels to the bottom, the piece can be easily moved when cleaning or as needed for additional center space or entertaining. It can also be a renter-friendly way to gain the advantages of a center island when you cannot install built-ins, or want to avoid a bulky furniture piece when it's time to move. Like a traditional island at counter height, you can add stools around it for additional seating since the base is open with room to sit.