
Always wanted a kitchen island?
One thrifty mum has revealed how she constructed her own DIY version from used scaffolding boards for £200 – saving her £470 in total.
34-year-old Kayleigh Sherbourne, from Oxfordshire, had been eyeing up a kitchen island for the eye-watering price of £679 when she decided to take matters into her own hands.
In just six hours, she furnished her own using two IKEA units and five scaffolding boards, cutting the latter down to size, glueing and clamping them together before finally sanding and staining them to create the finished product.
Using screws, runners, a combination of two paint colours and furniture wax to finish, Sherbourne also used a piece of MDF (medium-density fibreboard) and a piece of steel, from which she fashioned the doors.

‘I got my inspiration from looking at Pinterest boards’, she said.
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‘With most of my builds, they also come from my head too, I just think of a way to make something similar to what I’ve seen online and go from there.’
This isn’t the first time she’s attempted to create her own thrifty versions on a budget: her first project was a sandpit for her sons, 10-year-old George and 7-year-old Harry.
Now, approximately 90% of the furniture that lines her home has been constructed as a DIY project.
Though it started off as a hobby, it’s now saved her so much money – and she’s started a business from it, too.
‘My dad was a painter and decorator, so it’s always been instilled in me to think, why can’t I make that myself and I held onto that mindset’, she added.

‘When I was ten years old, I always wanted a cabin bed and asked my dad to make it for me, but he said it was far too complicated.
‘I used to be quite a tomboy, I always played football, and so I’ve always felt that just because you’re a woman, it doesn’t mean you can’t build things and get your hands dirty.’
Kayleigh began making her own furniture during lockdown, inspired to create a table for home-schooling.
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She quickly realised that her new-found hobby could make her more money, at which point she decided to turn it into a business.

‘I created my Instagram to separate my projects from my personal life, and then the business took off and has become successful.’
She’s since found that social media is a ‘great place to start’ for inspiration when starting a DIY project, noting that she’s since received many uplifting comments about her work.
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‘One person commented that I inspired them to start upcycling, which is really nice to hear.’
The total price breakdown
5 x Scaffolding boards – £40
11 x MDF £60
Steel – £20
2 x KALLAX unit – £40 ( £20 each)
Runners – £8.99
Paint – £21.95
Sandpaper/screws/glue – £10
Total = £200.94
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MORE: ‘We added £35,000 to the value of our home by watching DIY YouTube tutorials’
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