Custom kitchen islands
An island should earn its place in the room. We design, build and install islands sized to your kitchen, with the seating, storage and clearances worked out before anything is made.
Design
Build
The difference between an island that gets used every day and one that just gets in the way is usually decided before it’s built. The size, the aisle widths around it, the seating and what it needs to hold all have to be planned around how you cook and who gathers in the room.
The first question is whether your kitchen has room for an island at all. A full island needs generous clearance on every side. If space is tight, a smaller island, a movable one or a peninsula can give you much of the same benefit. We’ll measure your room and tell you honestly which will work.
Most people have a clear picture of the island they want, and the room usually decides the rest. We’ll bring layout drawings to your free consultation and show you what fits.
What each actually requires
Working island
- Base cabinets with deep drawers, pull-outs and hidden storage
- Can include a sink, cooktop or dishwasher
- Needs plumbing, gas or electrical planned before the floor is finished
- Ventilation required if a cooktop is included
- Best for larger kitchens where the island is the main work zone
Seating and storage island
- Overhang for stools on one or two sides
- Storage on the work side, with outlets built in
- Simpler to plan and more affordable than a working island
- Needs structural support under the overhang
- Best for family kitchens and entertaining
What survives a bathroom
Sizing, Seating and Clearances
Aisle width: at least 1070 mm (42″) between the island and the surrounding runs, and 1200 mm (48″) if two people cook at once. Narrower aisles feel fine when empty and frustrating when a dishwasher door is open.
Island size: a typical island is 600 to 1000 mm deep and as long as the room allows. Anything over about 2.4 m may need a seam in the countertop, so we plan the length around the slab sizes.
Seating: allow around 600 mm of width per stool and 300 mm of overhang for comfortable knee room. Counter height is 910 mm, and bar height is around 1065 mm.
Overhang support: anything past roughly 250 to 300 mm of unsupported stone needs steel brackets or concealed supports. This is structural, not decorative.
Services: outlets are required in or near an island, and a sink or cooktop adds plumbing, gas and ventilation. Plan these early, because they are hard to add once the floor is down.
Plumbing, Floors and the Things We Check First
Before designing anything we measure at multiple points, not once. Floors are rarely level and ceilings can step down over the area where the island will sit. A hanging light or hood needs to be planned before the ceiling is closed.
An island needs services, and they run through the floor. A sink, dishwasher or electrical outlets mean opening up the flooring, so this is far easier before new floors go in than after. We coordinate with licensed trades so everything lines up on install day.
An island is fixed to the floor, so it needs a solid, level base. We check what’s underneath, especially over a slab or a floor with in-floor heating, and plan the fixing accordingly.
Moisture is worth a thought in any Calgary kitchen. If the island has a sink or dishwasher, we recommend plywood boxes and a proper base, since a slow leak can swell cheaper materials.
If the kitchen is part of a larger renovation, designing the island alongside the flooring, lighting and countertops generally looks better and costs less than treating them as separate projects.
Pricing Plan
Chose best plan to upgrade your kitchens and closets
Basic
$
45
/Once
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Premium
$
93
/Once
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Standard
$
55
/Once
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FAQs
Islands, answered
It depends on the size, the cabinets, the countertop, and whether it includes a sink, cooktop or appliances. A simple seating island is a very different number from a working island with services. We measure for free and give you one itemised quote with nothing hidden.
Typically several weeks from approved design to installation, depending on scope and our shop schedule. Because we build locally, we’re not waiting on overseas shipments. We’ll give you a clear timeline when we quote.
Sometimes, yes. If your layout stays the same and the countertop is in good condition, we can often work around it. If cabinet depth or sink position changes, a new top is usually the better call. We’ll tell you honestly during the consultation.
If your layout works and the boxes are solid, refacing saves money and mess. If you want to change the layout, fix sagging or water-damaged boxes, or add storage, replacement is the better investment.
We coordinate with licensed trades for plumbing, gas and electrical so everything lines up on install day. We handle the cabinetry and make sure the cutouts, panels and clearances are right.
Every kitchen is backed by a written warranty. We also come back after the house settles to adjust doors and drawers at no charge.
