• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • Tour Our Home
      • Bella Tucker Christmas Kitchen 2019
      • Bella Tucker featured on Apartment Therapy
      • Tour Our Home
      • Tucker House TV Features
      • Vintage Tucker Christmas
      • Christmas House Tour- Tucker Style
  • Portfolio
    • Kitchen Remodels Before and After
  • Kitchen Remodeling & Design
    • Design Services
  • Cabinet Painting
    • Paint Color Consultations
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Shop Favorites
  • e-Design
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
bella tucker kitchen remodeling and kitchen cabinet painting

Bella Tucker

Kitchen Design-Cabinet Refinishing-Nashville TN

Two Tier Kitchen Island Update

By Dana Tucker 9 Comments

There are a few very distinctive design choices that date a home built in the late 1990’s- early 2000’s. One of them is the two-tier kitchen island.

two tier kitchen island
Two tier kitchen island

I know what the designers and builders were probably thinking…”Let’s build a higher bar around the kitchen island so it will hide any mess that is going on in the kitchen and all the dirty dishes.” Not a bad idea- but you give up major functionality and serving space.

Two-Tier-Island Inefficiency

I love the way Houzz.com commenter Paula7658 phrased the problem with the two-tier island: “Two tier reduces the space efficiency on both sides, narrow eating area and narrow food prep area. Two tier also divides the room unnecessarily as opposed to allowing the eye to easily take in the expanse. I prefer one level, it’s also more comfortable unless everyone is very tall and likes high bar stools.”

A flat countertop offers much more useable space. You can roll out dough, spread out all your ingredients for meal prep, serve a buffet, or help the cook all without the awkward work around of a two-tier counter. 

Updating Your Two-Tier Island

The perfect time to update your two-tier island is right before you install new countertops. It’s easier than you might think. We had our carpenter remove the current top level counter and cut out the supports. This left us with a level surface.

two tier island cut down
We cut down the top tier.

An electrician relocated the outlets. Then, when the countertop company came out to template the counters, they extended the counters an additional 12 inches. When they came back to install the new countertops, they installed a couple of support braces underneath to hold the additional weight and that’s it! Goodbye 2000-ish two-tiered kitchen counter and HELLO 2017 updated flat counter. 

two tier island after update
New one level countertop

Kitchen Redesign

We actually helped this client by managing their whole kitchen redesign from the new countertops, to the updated lighting, tile selection and installation, hardware selections, new farmhouse sink, and kitchen cabinet painting and glazing. Here’s where we started:

kitchen before
Kitchen before

And here’s where we ended up.

updated kitchen
Newly updated kitchen

The client wanted to lighten and brighten the space. Here is a photo of our countertop, tile, and cabinet selections. 

Countertop, tile, and cabinet choices
Countertop, tile, and cabinet choices

We went with Taj Royale Caesarstone countertops, Italian Calacatta Gold tile and Cream painted cabinets with a taupe glaze. 

I love the way it all looks together. 

updated kitchen
Updated kitchen

We also removed the pot rack and added this beautiful linear lantern from Ballard Designs. 

Did you know that there is a farmhouse sink that fits perfectly into the space of your old sink and the two fake drawers underneath? No major cabinet modification needed. 

farmhouse sink
New farmhouse sink

And one more before and after. 

before
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER

SHOP THE POST BELOW- (affiliate links- I get paid a small commission if you buy a product linked below but it NEVER costs you a penny)[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2875701″]

Updating your two-tier kitchen island can add instant counter space and functionality to your kitchen
Updating your two-tier kitchen island can add instant counter space and functionality to your kitchen.

We would love to help you with your kitchen re-design project. After transforming 100’s of kitchens in the Nashville area we have honed amazing, beautiful, money saving ideas to get the biggest impact for your budget. From stand alone kitchen cabinet painting to full service project management and design- we’d love to help. Just fill out the form below to get started with a free on-line estimate. 

Contact Form

We would love to hear from you! Please fill out this form and we will get in touch with you shortly.
    Promise it will be great!

Tweet
Share
Pin2K
Share42
2K Shares

Filed Under: Interior Design, Kitchen Before and Afters, Kitchen Updating

About Dana Tucker

By Dana Tucker | [email protected] | Google

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ivory says

    November 3, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    Your kitchen is amazing. Very well done.

  2. Ivory says

    November 3, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    Your kitchen is amazing. This is a transformation very well done.

  3. Julie says

    September 5, 2019 at 7:28 am

    I wish all before/after shows would display their work like you did. Very well done and the result is amazing. My kitchen looks very similar. In fact, I’m sending this article to my husband now. Wish me luck!

  4. Dana Tucker says

    September 5, 2019 at 7:50 am

    I’m so glad you found it helpfu! Best of luck with your husband!!

  5. JohnsonC says

    April 18, 2020 at 2:40 pm

    How much does something like this cost?

  6. J. Richardson says

    December 15, 2020 at 8:12 am

    We just purchased a townhome that has this very style counter, in fact, my husband thought for a moment it was our kitchen! So, we fell in love with your remodel and will be transforming our kitchen counter with inspiration from your design! We will gain so much usable space and it will open up the rest of the living room area, which is all open concept.
    Thank you, wish you were in my area.

  7. Dana Tucker says

    December 15, 2020 at 8:34 am

    That’s awesome! So glad you found it helpful and inspiring. Best of luck on our remodel!

  8. Dana says

    April 7, 2021 at 9:32 pm

    To where did the outlets get relocated? We are lowering our large peninsula and don’t know where the outlets will go!

  9. Dana Tucker says

    April 8, 2021 at 5:03 am

    We usually relocate the outlets to the sides of the island. Sometimes we put one or two on the back so you can charge a device while sitting at the island.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Looking For Something?

Let us handle your kitchen re-design. Call us today at 615-628-7373

Categories

Latest on Instagram

bellatucker

The contrast!!! 😍😍😍 📷 @lesliebrownpho The contrast!!! 😍😍😍

📷 @lesliebrownphotography
Mirrored cabinets make any space feel bigger and b Mirrored cabinets make any space feel bigger and brighter! #beforeandafter 

After 📷 @lesliebrownphotography
This kitchen remodel is from a while ago, but this This kitchen remodel is from a while ago, but this angle was never shared and definitely needed to be!!! 

📷 @geinger
This custom built in bar and shelving area is perf This custom built in bar and shelving area is perfect for displaying any item!!😍😍

📷 by @lesliebrownphotography
For the color lovers!!! Also, still in love with t For the color lovers!!! Also, still in love with these chairs and window detail!
Always love a mix of wood and white. Another befor Always love a mix of wood and white. Another before and after for your weekend! 
#kitchendesign #woodandwhitekitchen #transformation 

After 📷 @lesliebrownphotography
Casement windows, perfect for filtering in the sum Casement windows, perfect for filtering in the summer breeze! 

📷 @lesliebrownphotography
Monday blues? This kitchen transformation will che Monday blues? This kitchen transformation will cheer you up! 

After 📷 @lesliebrownphotography
Not sure about an all white kitchen? Try an accent Not sure about an all white kitchen? Try an accent island! This is the perfect way to add contrast to your kitchen. Always will love a wood and white combo! 

📷 @lesliebrownphotography
This window makes me want to stay in this sitting This window makes me want to stay in this sitting nook all day!!! 

📷 @lesliebrownphotography
Summer calls for LIGHT and BRIGHT kitchens!! 📷 Summer calls for LIGHT and BRIGHT kitchens!! 
📷 by @lesliebrownphotography 

#throwbackthursday #whitekitchenlovers
A well designed island should remind you of a mull A well designed island should remind you of a mullet. Business in the front and party in the back. 

Design @bellatucker 
📷 @lesliebrownphotography 
Styling assist @emilybutler166 
General Contractor Renovations by Bob Whitley 
#grasslandmodernkitchenremodel
Two photo shoots in one week almost did me in, but Two photo shoots in one week almost did me in, but I had amazing talent helping me out! Sneak peek of my most modern kitchen design yet! 

Design @bellatucker 
📷 @lesliebrownphotography 
Styling assist @emilybutler166
We did a faux apron front sink in this kitchen by We did a faux apron front sink in this kitchen by extending the quartz on the front of the cabinet. We were still able to use my favorite granite/quartz composite under mount sink but got that farm house sink look. 

Design by @bellatucker 
📷 by @lesliebrownphotography 
Styling assist by @laurenlechols
New project photos! So excited about how this kitc New project photos! So excited about how this kitchen and these photos turned out. I love using porcelain slab material as a backsplash and this one is my favorite! 
Design | @bellatucker 
Photos | @lesliebrownphotography
You guys don’t want to miss this house I’m sha You guys don’t want to miss this house I’m sharing in stories today! My friend @tsteffen18 collected every single piece, designed every inch, and styled it to perfection. I am so inspired today after spending a few hours in this gorgeous space last night. Thankful for the talented women and friends in my creative community. Thanks for inviting me into your beautiful spaces.
I’m definitely not a flower arranger, but man! T I’m definitely not a flower arranger, but man! These 6 day old tulips from @traderjoes have opened up and arranged themselves. More beautiful each day this week as they gently opened and dropped.
Many thanks to @nashvillelifestyles at Home for in Many thanks to @nashvillelifestyles at Home for including me in your inspiring spaces feature. So honored to be included among the amazing design talent in this feature! 
📷 @lesliebrownphotography #nashvillekitchendesigner
This kitchen! This family! This house! We’ve com This kitchen! This family! This house! We’ve come so far together. We are still waiting on some additional rooms to be completed but I had to share some BIG changes in the kitchen. Professional photos coming as soon as we get all the pieces. Swipe for the before.
Stove hood art. It’s a thing. Stove hood art. It’s a thing.
Load More Follow on Instagram
Bella Tucker

Nashville TN Cabinet Painting| Kitchen Remodeling| Kitchen Design| Call 615-628-7373 All content Copyrighted by Bella Tucker Decorative Finishes 2020

By Dana Tucker | Bella Tucker | [email protected] | Real Estate Websites