The purchased built-in kitchen island is many things — beautiful, functional, expensive — but (lucky for us) it is not a mystery. A built-in island is frequently a simple combination of cabinetry and countertop, with table legs if it incorporates seating. Recognizing the components of the islands you love at the showroom empowers you to create your own for a smaller price tag than a commercial purchase. Consider using base kitchen cabinets for your island and adding a solid stone or wood countertop. If your island is small, you may be able to find a granite or marble remnant for little money.

You don't have to start from scratch with your DIY island. A favorite HGTV activity is customizing an inexpensive purchase to give it the perfect look and ultimate purpose. Here, a store-bought kitchen cart was transformed with a coat of paint, new hardware and a towel rack that was fashioned from an old rolling pin.

The best small-space furniture does double or triple-duty without adding visual clutter. The stainless and wood drop-leaf island in this LA kitchen has much to offer without interrupting the flow. Digital hosts Alexandra and Dani of Buy or DIY take it one step further when they compete for a client with a small budget and smaller condo, resulting in a mobile storage island that transforms into a dining table.

With all we ask of a kitchen, disorganization can feel like an inevitability. Not so: A custom kitchen island is your opportunity to stay organized with an activity zone. Recognizing which aspect of your kitchen life would most appreciate the island accommodation is the first step. This DIY rolling kitchen island was made for bakers, incorporating storage for cookbooks, a stand mixer, baking pans and mixing bowls. These plans are perfect for the flour-spattered, but simple modifications to the shelf sizes and locations will accommodate barware, a coffee station — whatever your heart desires and passion requires.