Planning the size
An island needs room to walk and work around it. Most kitchen designers aim for around a metre of clear space on each side, more where doors open or two people cook. Mark the outline on the floor with tape and live with it for a day before you commit.
Stone slabs have a maximum size, so a very long or deep island may need a join. If you want it in one piece, tell us early: it affects which materials will work and how the slab gets into the house.
Seating and overhangs
For stools you will want an overhang on one side, often around 250 to 300 mm for comfortable knee room. How far stone can overhang without extra support depends on the material and its thickness. Beyond that, hidden steel supports or legs are needed. We advise on support for your chosen stone before templating, and follow the manufacturer's guidance for engineered surfaces.
Sinks and hobs in the island
Putting the sink or hob in the island changes the job. A sink needs water and waste run to it; a hob needs a suitable electrical supply or, for gas, a Gas Safe registered engineer, plus extraction above or a downdraft unit. These are decided before templating, because the stone is cut around them.
A hob in the island suits heat-resistant surfaces such as porcelain and granite; with quartz, keep using pan stands.
Waterfall ends and thick edges
A waterfall end carries the worktop down the side of the island to the floor. With veined stone, the veins can be matched so they flow over the edge. Mitred edges can make a slim slab look like a thick block. Both look striking and both need precise cutting and fitting, so they add to the price.
Getting the slab into the house
A large island top is heavy and unwieldy. In a Victorian terrace in New Barnet or Finchley, the route from the front door to a rear kitchen extension can be the limiting factor, not the room. Measure the narrowest point on the way in, including any turn in the hall, and tell us. If a single piece won't go in, we plan a join where it looks best.
What we need to price an island
The rough island size, the seating side and overhang, whether a sink or hob goes in it, the material and edge you like, and any waterfall ends. Send it through the quote form.
Questions people ask
Can my island top be one piece with no join?
Often, if it fits within the slab size and can be carried into the house. A very big island can need a join; we show you where it would go before cutting.
Do I need supports for a breakfast bar?
That comes down to the stone, how thick it is and how far it overhangs. Short overhangs often need nothing extra; deeper ones need hidden supports or legs.
Can the island be a different material from the other worktops?
Yes. A contrasting island, such as marble or quartzite with quartz around the walls, is a popular choice.