From Inspiration Photo to Kitchen Centerpiece
Sometimes, one well-built piece can completely change the feel of your home.
That was exactly the case in this project. A homeowner wanted to extend their kitchen island with a countertop overhang for extra seating. They needed a strong piece to support the weight of the stone top, but it also needed to match the aesthetic of the rest of the kitchen.
Instead of using metal brackets or adding more cabinets for support, they chose a custom-turned wood pedestal base built by Arnold Wood Turning.
Starting with an Inspiration Photo
Like many of our customers, this homeowner began with an idea they found online.
They came across a table base on our website (also shown below) with a classic round pedestal design and loved its shape. But they needed a few key changes to make it fit their exact space.
They didn’t want a sub-top and needed a lower overall height to work with their existing countertop. They would also need a wider bottom base for better stability and a maximum diameter in the center “ball” for knee clearance while sitting at the counter.
Rather than searching for something “close enough,” they sent us the photo they had seen in our gallery along with their notes and asked if we could make a similar piece with their adjustments.
And that’s exactly what we do!
Cherry Wood Table Base – Custom Built with Subtop for Marble Support
Custom-crafted cherry wood table base featuring a sturdy wooden subtop for marble tabletop support.
Turning the Idea into a Build-Ready Design
Once their request came in, we began converting their inspiration photo into a detailed drawing for approval before production. The final specifications included:
Custom Kitchen Island Pedestal Base Dimension Drawing
Approved dimension drawing for the custom pedestal base used to support a kitchen island countertop extension.
Built for Beauty and Daily Use
One important detail on this project was that this pedestal needed to support a solid stone overhang and still allow for comfortable legroom for seated guests. This meant we would need to get the proportions right everywhere, especially where guests’ knees and feet naturally land.
To achieve both strength and practicality:
Knotty Alder Pedestal Base Before Finish
The base as delivered, fully assembled but designed to separate for finishing if needed.
Finishing to Match the Kitchen
The base was delivered sanded smooth and ready for stain. Ultimately, the homeowner’s contractor finished it on-site to match surrounding cabinetry and hardware.
Once installed, the pedestal immediately tied the entire island area together:
Select an image below to view larger.
Why Choose a Turned Wood Base Over Brackets or Box Cabinets?
Many people will choose to default to metal brackets or panel legs when adding seating to an island, but round pedestal bases solve problems those options don’t.
A turned pedestal like this one offers:
Planning Your Own Overhang or Island Extension?
You don’t need to try to find an exact match that already exists or settle for something that’s only “close enough.”
Send us a photo of what you’re inspired by (even if it’s from another website), basic dimensions or height requirements, and details on what type of countertop or surface it needs to support. This will be more than enough to begin turning it into a build-ready pedestal base.
If you’re ready to get started, reach out to our family-led team for your free, no-obligation quote today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Pedestal Bases for Kitchen Islands
- All
- Pedestal Base for Kitchen Island – Design & Customization
- Pedestal Base for Kitchen Island – Finishing & Style
- Pedestal Base for Kitchen Island – General Questions
- Pedestal Base for Kitchen Island – Installation & Support
It’s often best to stain and seal the pedestal before final installation, but this will depend on your needs and goals. Many homeowners or contractors finish the piece on-site to match surrounding cabinetry, hardware, and flooring. Pre-sanding and removable components make staining and finishing pretty straightforward.
Absolutely. When a base is designed with proper dimensions and base diameter, a solid wood pedestal base can safely support stone or quartz overhangs. Precision-joined construction and wide baseplates will ensure load distribution without compromising stability or legroom.
Pedestal bases are typically bolted directly into the floor or mounted to the island’s underside before the countertop is set in place. Many come in two parts (a turned post and a separate baseplate) joined with lag bolts for strength and easy finishing prior to installation.
Popular options for these bases include Knotty Alder, Oak, Maple, Cherry, and more. Knotty Alder is known for its warm tone and stain-friendly grain, while Maple or Oak offer great durability for heavy countertop overhangs. The right choice for you depends on your kitchen’s color scheme and desired finish. We can help you decide which direction to move in!
Yes. Custom pedestal bases can be built to fit your exact height, diameter, and proportion needs. Adjustments like a wider bottom for added stability, a specific height to align with your countertops, or a larger center diameter for knee clearance are common requests during the design phase. Contact us with your specific needs and we’ll see how we can help!
Wood pedestal bases provide full weight support across the overhang and give far better knee clearance compared to metal brackets or bulky panel legs. They also add a high-end aesthetic and can be stained or painted to match the kitchen’s cabinetry and design style.
A pedestal base for a kitchen island is a single, centered support structure. It’s often made from solid wood, which replaces the need for metal brackets or additional cabinetry. The pedestal base supports countertop overhangs for seating areas while offering a furniture-style appearance.