IKEA Stenstorp kitchen island hack - can we turn it into a table?

[fallstoclimb]

Our IKEA Stenstorp kitchen island has served us well for a couple of years, but it's become clear in our new place we need more seating than storage (thanks minimalism & friends!).

Some pictures are here: https://www.thekitchn.com/why-this-ikea-kitchen-island-is-my-favorite-thing-in-my-apartment-kitchn-favorites-215583

Basically, what I want to do is remove the storage side.  The sheets just lift right out, there is one middle-cross bar that has to be sawed off but only supports the sheets, and there are the crossbars at the end of the sheets that are screwed in. My husband thinks we might cause structural damage if we take them out but I think it will be ok???  The crossbars on the sides of the island can stay as they won't block people's feet / the stools.

Does this seem like a terrible idea? I'd rather not ruin this because otherwise we could sell it for ~$200, but if I can make it work and not have to buy a table that's my preference!

[Metalcat]

Sell it and buy a table.

Used tables are very cheap and will serve you much better than a mangled island.

[habanero]

Ditto sell and buy a proper table. The basic principle of IKEA is that everything is strong enough, but just about. If you start removing stuff from it is unlikely to hold. If you are familiar with IKEA kitchens, closets, the Billy bookshelf etc something as seemingly weak as the thin rear cover is vital to the structural integrity of the furniture. I bet the plate and the piece of wood at the bottom serves the same purpose for this kitchen island.

If it has the same height as a kitchen countertop it is also too high to be a functioning table.

[Villanelle]

Sell for $200 and buy a new table for $100, which is entirely doable. 

[Dicey]

"1. It's a beautiful, durable piece of furniture."

ROFLMAO - it's from IKEA, for Pete's sake.

I'm pitching in with the buy a table chorus. Used, of course.

[Papa bear]

This is like the time my buddy asked if he could bring over a cabinet that he wanted to change.  He said he needed three cuts.  Sure, I said! Not sure what you’re doing here, but I’ll give you a hand. 

Anyway, his idea for 3 cuts turned into rebuilding the entire cabinet.  He learned a lot that day rebuilding it with me.

Point of the story. If you want that butcher block top to be a table, you’re going to have to rebuild that thing.  Not just take away a few pieces. 


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