How to Build a Raised Counter

Position four 18-inch 2-by-4 boards with the large sides facing down so they form a 21 1/2-inch square frame. Drill two holes through each board and into the end of the adjoining board. Attach the boards together with 5-inch wood screws. Repeat to create a second 21 1/2-inch square frame.

Set four 3-inch 2-by-4 boards between the two square frames, with the small boards in the corners, their outside surfaces flush with the outside surfaces of the square frame, in either arrangement. Drill two holes through the square frames and into both ends of the short boards. Attach the boards together with 3-inch wood screws to create a short, wide box.

Position a 1-by-23-by-23-inch section of countertop on top of the box frame. Flip the entire setup upside down and drill eight holes through the frame and into the countertop. Attach the countertop to the frame with 2-inch wood screws.

Set the frame on the counter area to be raised, with the new countertop on the top of the frame. Drill eight holes up through the inside of the cabinet and into the bottom of the raised frame. Attach the frame to the old countertop with 3-inch wood screws.

Position four 1/2-by-6-by-22-inch plywood boards around the sides of the frame so they overlap each other by 1/2-inch. Attach them to the frame by drilling four 1-inch wood screws into each plywood board and into the frame.

Apply mortar or caulking to the plywood and affix backsplash tile to fit the space, either in many small pieces or in four 1/2-by-6-by-22-inch pieces.