Your countertops bring together the whole look of your kitchen, so they deserve careful thought. A butcher block finish gives a warm yet sophisticated look. It will look brilliant in a farmhouse kitchen, but can also work beautifully in a modern space.
And making your own DIY butcher block countertop is a great way to get the look without spending a fortune. We’ve found 17 plans that will walk you the process to give you great results. So why not check them out and see if this could be your next project?
Table of Contents
1. How to Build and Install Butcher Block Countertops
In this video, Johnny Brooke of the Crafted Workshop shows you everything you need to build and install butcher block countertops. These are made from hard maple, so they’re very robust. And the tight grain structure means they’re great at resisting dirt and bacteria. Here, you’ll get a warts-and-all description of the project so you can learn from Johnny’s experience. And there are great tips for the finish too. Just note that this one does require some serious woodworking equipment.
2. DIY Butcher Block-Style Countertop With Undermount Sink – Part 1
This detailed guide is brilliant for DIYers who don’t have loads of expensive power tools. It shows how to make a butcher block countertop using a sander in place of a planer. There’s plenty of detail on every step of the project, with photographs to show you what’s happening. And although there’s a lot of text to work through, the description is very clear. You’ll also find a helpful guide to how to cut out a hole for an undermount sink.
3. How to Make a Butcher Block Counter
With this guide, you’ll see a butcher block counter being made for a campervan. Handy time stamps at the beginning allow you to go straight to the action you’re most interested in. There’s advice on choosing the best wood for regular or occasional use, and lots of tips on how to get the best results. And this video also shows you how to get a smooth, even finish without a planer. There’s even a cameo appearance from Wilbur, a super-cute dog!
4. How To: Build Your Own Butcher Block
This is a brilliant guide for those who don’t have the tools to do every step of the process themselves. Here, DIY enthusiast Katie shows how to get the most from your local wood shop. And you’ll still have the satisfaction of putting the countertop together yourself. Simple text explains every part of the process, alongside lots of photos. And there are links to online suppliers of many of the materials too.
5. How to Make a Butcher Block Countertop – DIY Woodworking
This video shows how to make a massive 6-foot by 3-foot countertop from soft maple. And the finish is beautiful. You’ll need a well-equipped workshop for this – the project uses a miter saw, jointer and planer, amongst other kit. If you’re planning to buy new tools, there are links to online suppliers in the video information. There’s also lots of information to help you manage such a big worktop as it comes together. And there’s a link to a separate video if you want more detail on staining the wood.
6. Build a Butcher Block Countertop
This detailed guide has everything you need to make a butcher block countertop from scratch. It’s broken down into easy steps. Each one has lots of photographs showing the project as it progresses. And there are recommendations for tools and materials to get the best results. There are no humorous asides or pet appearances here. But you will get a clear and comprehensive guide to your project.
7. DIY Butcher Block Countertop – DIY Network
This video follows homeowner Kevin Kain as he makes and installs his own butcher block countertop. There are some innovative techniques on display here. These include using a pocket jig to cut channels, allowing the wood to be screwed together on the underside. And with this one, the countertop is sent away for professional sanding. It will add to your costs, but it’s a good option if you don’t have high quality power tools at home. The whole video is under five minutes, so it’s a quick and easy watch.
8. DIY Butcher Block Countertop
This brilliant guide begins by giving you a list of all the tools and materials you’ll need. There are links to online suppliers too, so you won’t have to search if you need to buy anything new. There are lots of photographs to show you what to do every step of the way. And although these are accompanied by text, it’s short and to-the-point. And if you need more detail on staining your worktop, follow the link to a dedicated video on that topic.
9. DIY Wooden Countertop
This video shows every step of building and staining a wooden countertop. There are links to all the products used in the video information. The build is sped up, so you don’t have to spend ages glued to the screen. But don’t worry about missing anything – a helpful narration walks you through every stage. Hand planes are used here in place of large and expensive electric planers. There’s great advice on how to prepare the wood for staining. And there’s plenty of information on installation too.
10. DIY Reclaimed Butcher Block Countertop
Samantha Goodwin’s guide shows you how to create a butcher block countertop from offcuts of old timber. The oak used here actually came from old barns. It’s a great example of how reclaimed materials can be given a new lease of life. The description of the project is chatty, and while you’ll need some time to read the whole thing, it’s a lot of fun. And there are loads of photos too, so you can see what’s happening.
11. DIY Wood Countertop/ Butcher Block Anyone Can Make
This is a great video for beginners looking for information on how to make the wider boards you’ll need for a countertop. The main tool for this project is a table saw, and no joiner is required. There’s a clever tip to make sure you never lose track of which piece of wood goes where. And there’s an ingenious solution to deal with any tiny flaws in your blade alignment. Finally, it shows you how to use a biscuit joiner to make your joints extra strong.
12. Custom DIY Butcher Block Island Top
If you don’t have the time or tools to make a countertop from scratch, this is a great compromise. Here, prefabricated butcher block panels are used to create a top for an oversized kitchen island. The guide begins with a list of the tools and equipment you’ll need, before describing the build in bite-sized steps. There are plenty of large images too, so you can follow the process with ease.
13. Butcher Block Table Made from Scrap Hardwood
This inspiring video shows you how scrap hardwood can create one of the most beautiful butcher blocks we’ve seen. It’s actually designed to make a tabletop, but it would work just as well for a countertop. If you’ve got a pile of scrap timber you want to make use of, you’ll love this. The video shows the build at high speed, with text over the top to explain what’s happening. And the whole thing has a melodic guitar soundtrack to hum along to as you watch.
14. DIY Butcher Block Countertops – Oh, Yes You Can!
This guide takes you through everything from choosing your worktop material to sealing the wood. Follow along with eight simple steps, each of which has a photograph to show what’s happening. There are also lots of images of the finished product. And if you lust after the beautiful sink and faucets on display, there’s even information on where to source them.
15. Build Butcher Block Countertops
This video from Solid Wood Worx shows how to create the butcher block countertops used in many van conversions. They’ll work just as well in regular kitchens too. There’s advice on mixing different woods and choosing pieces of timber that will look great in the finished product. You can see the whole build step by step, and there’s tons of valuable guidance along the way.
16. How To Make A DIY Wood Countertop (Easier Than You Thought!)
In this guide, blogger Nancy shows you how to make wooden countertops with a subtle aged effect. They will look great in kitchens with classic features. There’s a materials list upfront, complete with links to online suppliers. There’s even a link to Nancy’s curated shop to help you find what you need. And the clear text is accompanied by loads of photographs so you can see the countertops coming together.
17. DIY Butcher Block Countertops for Cheap!
If you’re looking for a budget-conscious approach to butcher block countertops, this is a great video. And the finished project looks a million dollars. You won’t be able to watch the build as it progresses, but the narration explains everything very clearly. The video shows the final countertops over a year after they’ve been in place. They still look great, proving that you don’t have to spend lots of money to get a durable finish.
Ready to get started?
We hope one of these brilliant plans has given you the confidence to make your own DIY butcher block countertop! Whether you want to make it from scratch or would prefer some shortcuts, there’s a plan here to suit.
Take your time to choose the right materials for the finish that will suit your kitchen. It will be worth it to get the best results.
Good luck with your new project!