• 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
  • Design Packages
  • 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
3K 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

Want to see the other side of the kitchen I posted Want to see the other side of the kitchen I posted yesterday? We reworked the white cabinet into a concealed coffee bar. We wrapped it in stained walnut and added an aged mirror front. Definite style upgrade. 

Design @bellatucker 

📸 @lesliebrownphotography
Sometimes some small changes can make a BIG IMPACT Sometimes some small changes can make a BIG IMPACT. In this kitchen we replaced the range and hood, installed new counters and backsplash and painted the cabinets. Don’t miss the fabulous teacup chandelier. The perfect update for my fancy teacup loving chef client. 

Design @bellatucker 
đź“· by @lesliebrownphotography
What we do. We reimagine your kitchen. We make cha What we do. We reimagine your kitchen. We make changes to bring your existing kitchen up to date. Most times this includes modifying your existing cabinets, new countertops, new tile, new lighting and appliances. It almost always includes painting your cabinets. Did you know we started as a cabinet painting company and that is still a thriving part of our business. If you need any or all of the above we would love to chat. Designers, we would love to talk to you if you have a client who needs kitchen cabinet painting. Please reach out. 

đź“· @geinger
Home ❤️ Home ❤️
Wallpaper Wednesday ❤️❤️❤️ Design @be Wallpaper Wednesday ❤️❤️❤️

Design @bellatucker 
📸 @lesliebrownphotography
For me, kitchen design always starts with sink pla For me, kitchen design always starts with sink placement. Whenever possible I always like to place the sink under a window. Also, whenever possible I love to open up the windows as wide and tall as I can. Nothing adds more to the design of a kitchen than natural light. Start there and the rest flows into place. 

Design @bellatucker 

đź“· @lesliebrownphotography
Happy February!! Is it time to give your kitchen s Happy February!! Is it time to give your kitchen some love? Check out my website for more information on my services! 

After 📸 @lesliebrownphotography
Every kitchen needs a focal point. I’m always lo Every kitchen needs a focal point. I’m always looking for that “wow” moment in a kitchen. Here I think we achieved it with this mirrored dish cabinet. Swipe for before. 

Design by @bellatucker 

📸 by @lesliebrownphotography
Want to see the other side of the kitchen I posted Want to see the other side of the kitchen I posted yesterday? Swipe for the before. Major transformation! 

Design by @bellatucker 

đź“· by @lesliebrownphotography
Do you have room in your existing kitchen for a be Do you have room in your existing kitchen for a beverage bar or a coffee bar? You just might if you have one of these (swipe) these built in kitchen desks were all the rage in the 90’s and early 2000’s. What we found is that they are rarely used and become the drop zone for mail and clutter. If you have one of these desks (swipe) you could have the coffee/beverage bar of your dreams. Dream with us! 

Design @bellatucker 

đź“· @lesliebrownphotography
Capturing all of the angles of this island! This i Capturing all of the angles of this island! This is definitely a focal point in this kitchen! 

Design @bellatucker 

📸 @lesliebrownphotography
Spaces for entertaining were a hit this year! Chec Spaces for entertaining were a hit this year! Check out this moody lounge! 

Design @bellatucker 

After 📸 @lesliebrownphotography
Wrapping up 2022 with some of my favorite designs Wrapping up 2022 with some of my favorite designs from the year!

Design @bellatucker 

📸 @lesliebrownphotography
I’m dreaming of a white... kitchen!!!! Connectin I’m dreaming of a white... kitchen!!!! Connecting the kitchen to the living room changed the entire dynamic within this home! 

Design @bellatucker 

After 📸 @lesliebrownphotography
Finally posted all the details and before photos o Finally posted all the details and before photos of our Modern Cottage Kitchen Remodel. This one is such a huge transformation. If you want to check it out look for the link in profile and click “blog”. Swipe for a sneak of the before. 

Design @bellatucker 

📸 @lesliebrownphotography 

GC Glen Hutchison
Christmas at the Tuckers. 🎄 Christmas at the Tuckers. 🎄
As far as huge transformations go, this might be t As far as huge transformations go, this might be the biggest one I’ve ever worked on. Swipe to see the before from the same angle. We removed the wall on the left which opened up the kitchen to the family room. Prepare to see more of this transformation headed your way. 

Design by @bellatucker 
đź“· by @lesliebrownphotography 
GC Glen Hutchison
Laughing so hard at ourselves. We look like the co Laughing so hard at ourselves. We look like the couple from green acres. Every night we let the chickens out for about an hour to free range. It’s so cold here that I’m grabbing my faux fur. Brooks is suited up like farmer Ted. He does all the real farm work. I just pretend.
Photo shoot day. Prepare to see this amazing cotta Photo shoot day. Prepare to see this amazing cottage kitchen I’ll be sharing til the end of time. For a before and after video walkthrough check out my stories. Reels coming soon. ❤️
Shopping for a new refrigerator? The biggest upgra Shopping for a new refrigerator? The biggest upgrade you can make in that space is to NOT get ice and water in the door. A refrigerator is so much cleaner looking without it. And if possible, adding cabinetry panels to your refrigerator is a complete style upgrade. Just order your fridge “panel ready”. A good  carpenter can guide you through completing that look. 

Design @bellatucker 
📸 @lesliebrownphotography
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