[GUIDE] The Cost to Install Kitchen Island Designs

Knowing about kitchen island cost is the first step to adding a more attractive, functional, and versatile feature to one of the essential rooms in your home.

Kitchen remodel costs are the most expensive portion of any kitchen renovations because of the varied options available. Most people invest in additional appliances and custom kitchen cabinets that work perfectly with their open space, maximizing the work area or dining area for a specific project. The total price will matter but the best way to get an idea is to get quote comparisons from Home Depot and other major retail competitors. The cost of the island will be critical and you’ll want to save more of your total budget to contractors.

A thoughtfully planned space will guarantee kitchen functionality. A hot but chic trend is a fixed kitchen island with waterfall countertops. Hard to visualize without a photo, these countertops are made from various materials (wooden, marble, or white) and have an elevated status, creating a waterfall effect, traveling from the top to the floor. This design is also a great way to incorporate bar stools and extra features. The luxurious flow fuses the floor to the new island

Depending on your kitchen space, the size of the island will vary. Young millennial and Gen Z couples may only be able to rely on a small portable kitchen island that can act as a breakfast bar with additional storage. They’re also referred to as kitchen carts as they have just enough space, though limited for some food prep but are really designed for small space settings. The total cost is will depend on your available square footage, an open floor plan, and if the additional space will allow you to pursue expensive models such as a kitchen island with a range hood.

The current national average cost for kitchen island installations ranges from $4,000 to $8,000. Most homeowners can also expect to pay around $6,500 for a semi-custom island measuring 24 square feet with a granite countertop and a kitchen bar sink with adequate space on one side for seating. The actual cost may vary if you decide to add wine racks, base cabinets, or open shelving into the design.

For higher-end larger islands, a general contractor can create a custom kitchen island with exotic hardwood island with waterfall marble counter space and an antiqued glaze with a seating area, cooktop, and built-in storage space on the side for up to $15,000. 

A kitchen designer can also furnish readymade rolling islands with wooden countertops for approximately $500.

Table of Contents

• Kitchen Island Costs Based on Countertop Materials
  • Butcher Block
  • Ceramic Tile
  • Concrete
  • Copper
  • Granite
  • Laminate
  • Marble
  • Porcelain
  • Quartz
  • Quartzite
  • Recycled Glass
  • Soapstone
  • Solid Surface
  • Stainless Steel
• Kitchen Island Costs Based on the Method of Fabrication
  • Custom Kitchen Islands
  • Prefab Kitchen Islands
  • Semi-Custom Kitchen Islands
• Frequently Asked Questions
  • What is a kitchen island?
  • How much does it cost to install a kitchen island?
  • How much do granite countertops cost per square foot?
  • How do you install a kitchen island?
  • What is the ideal area in your kitchen for installing an island?
  • Which countertop material is the most resistant out of all the different options?

Kitchen Island Costs Based on Countertop Materials

Many factors affect the cost of kitchen islands, but the significant one is the countertop material used. Some islands already come with a built-in countertop, specifically stock islands.

If you prefer a custom or semi-custom one, you have to buy the countertop separately after your island installation. You also need to prepare a cooktop or sink if you need these features.

Different countertop materials, including stainless steel, laminate, tile, stone, and others, are available.

Butcher Block

A semi-custom butcher block or wood kitchen island can cost you an average of USD 3,700 to $9,900, while custom islands with additional features range between $7,700 and $14,000. Every square foot of wood countertops costs $30 to $280.

A new kitchen island made from this material can be made in different wood species and come in many styles. Each one of them has extra longevity, appearance, and labor costs.

Stock kitchen islands will most likely come with an integrated butcher block top at no additional cost.

Ceramic Tile

Semi-custom ceramic tile kitchen islands measuring 24 square feet have an overall cost of $3,400 to $4,500, and custom ones range between $7,400 to $8,500. Each square foot of installed ceramic tile countertops can cost you $18 to $50.

Ceramic tiles come in different shapes, sizes, finishes, and colors. They are an affordable option to tile your countertop, whether the counter is for the island itself or the perimeter cabinets. You can create many stylistic changes with ceramic tiles.

Concrete

Custom concrete kitchen islands cost $8,200 to $11,500, while semi-custom ones are priced at $4,300 to $7,500. A square foot of a concrete countertop costs $55 to $175.

There are two options for making concrete countertops, and these can be directly made on top of the island or made off-site before it is transported and installed in your home. It is also a good idea to color the concrete or alter its appearance, texture, and edge to blend well with the rest of the room.

Copper

A semi-custom copper kitchen island has average costs of $5,400 to $10,200, while custom ones range between $9,200 to $14,500. Each square foot of a copper countertop costs $100 to $300.

You can give your kitchen’s modern design a whole new level of depth with these copper countertops. Copper exudes a living finish that ages depending on how you touch and use it. Spots that receive frequent interactions will stay polished and bright, and places with less frequent interactions will become duller and darker in color.

Granite

If you want a semi-custom granite kitchen countertop for your island, you might need to prepare a budget of $4,600 to $13,500. For custom ones, you will have to pay around $8,600 to 1$17,500. Granite countertops cost $70 to $430 per square foot.

Granite is the most popular choice and one of the most preferred materials for many kitchens today and comes in a wide variety of styles and colors, not to mention that it also boasts remarkable durability. Granite islands can coordinate and match well with different perimeters and other materials.

Laminate

For semi-custom islands with laminate countertops, you need to prepare a budget of $3,480 to $4,400 or $7,480 to $8,440 if you want a custom one. These prices are for kitchen islands measuring 24 square feet, and a linear foot of installed laminate countertops is approximately $20 to $60.

Laminate, however, is not a favored material used for these projects since these need to be custom-made. Kitchen islands have edges that go entirely around, and you must use laminate to finish these edges, potentially making the overall installation more expensive and complicated depending on the edge.

Marble

If you want a semi-custom kitchen island that features a marble countertop, this will cost you an average of $4,680 to $8,520. For custom ones, the price will range from $8,680 to $12,520. A square foot of a marble countertop will cost you $70 to $230.

Marble countertops are an ideal choice for those who love to bake because this material is suitable for rolling out dough. Most of the time, marble slabs are big enough to cover average-sized kitchen islands. Remember that marble slabs are often smaller than other materials, making them ideal for a small kitchen island. If you have a large island, you will need several slabs to cover it.

Porcelain

Porcelain countertops for a semi-custom kitchen island have an average price of $4,320 to $5,880, and custom ones are more expensive, with $8,300 to $10,000. The cost of a kitchen island made from this countertop material ranges from $55 to $120 for every square foot.

The best thing about porcelain is that this material is durable, unique, and requires minimal maintenance. Porcelain is also thinner than most slab countertops such as granite and marble. But what makes porcelain better is that it is lower maintenance with the ability to resist wear and tear, stains, and scratches.

You can also install an undermount sink on a porcelain countertop which goes well with most cooktops.

Quartz

Quartz countertops for semi-custom islands cost $3,960 to $5,400. For custom islands, the average kitchen island prices range from $7,960 to $9,400. For every square foot of quartz countertop, homeowners can expect to spend $40 to $100.

Quartz is an excellent material to consider if you prefer a low-maintenance slab countertop. Quartz countertops contain 10% pigment and resin and 90% natural quartz. The material can resist and endure almost anything and is also available in many styles and colors.

Quartzite

Semi-custom islands with quartzite countertops range between $4,900 to $8,500, and custom ones range from $8,900 to $12,500. Each square foot of this material costs $80 to $210.

For those unfamiliar with quartzite, this is a stone material like granite and marble but is metamorphosed quartz, giving it notable strength and durability. It can also resist scratches, etching, and stains better than other stones. It also resembles marble with its bold, bright colors and veining.

Recycled Glass

If your semi-custom island features a recycled glass countertop, your budget must range from $5,400 to $9,500. On the other hand, a custom one will cost $9,000 to $15,000. Each square foot of these countertops will cost you $100 to $250.

Recycled glass countertops and quartz countertops share many similarities. These are composed of a resin mixture with concrete, recycled glass, and other materials. These are also available in a selection of styles and colors, where some are solid glass that can give your kitchen a more modern look and feel.

Soapstone

Semi-custom kitchen islands featuring a soapstone countertop have average prices of $4,600 to $6,000. The cost of custom islands, on the other hand, ranges from $8,500 to $10,000. Soapstone countertops cost $70 to $120 for every square foot.

Soapstone is a unique stone made of talc with an appealing soapy and smooth texture. It is a durable material that likely shows marks or stains compared to other materials. Many people use oil soapstone to retain the color even as the material ages.

Solid Surface

Solid surface semi-custom kitchen islands require a budget of $4,600 to $6,500, and custom ones are more expensive at $8,680 to $10,120. Every solid surface countertop square foot costs $70 to $130.

These solid surface countertops get made using resin poured into a form. Corian is the most popular brand name for the material, features many edges, and is available in various sizes and shapes. You can also find solid surface counters in many finishes, patterns, and colors.

Stainless Steel

If you wish to install a steel countertop for your semi-custom island, the project will cost you roughly around $4,200 to $9,000, with custom ones pricier at $8,200 to $13,000. Steel countertops cost $50 to $250 for every square foot.

Stainless steel is another popular kitchen material. You can use stainless steel for the entire small island or the countertop alone for homes with modern kitchens. You will pay more for readymade options due to the material used.

Kitchen Island Costs Based on the Method of Fabrication

Kitchen islands have three basic types: custom, semi-custom, and readymade or stock. Prefab islands are readily available and are mostly found online or in home improvement stores.

Many stock cabinets also feature a counter, and installation can be an excellent DIY project. Some have a moveable surface in the kitchen instead of permanent installation.

These are often on wheels, letting you position them exactly where you want or need them. There are also other readymade islands with table-style legs to set where it works best with no installation required.

You can directly order Semi-custom kitchen islands from the cabinet material design manufacturer. You can alter the color and even some of the drawer and door styles, with the main box of the island and cabinets retained. Professionals are the best option to install this type of kitchen island.

While some of these also come with stock or premade countertop, you still have a chance to choose the island and the color that it comes in. However, you might have to order the countertop separately.

Finally, custom islands and cabinets are made and built specifically for you and your needs. Customization is possible even for the smallest part and can include several accessories and details. Due to this customization, these are also the most expensive. They also have the longest delivery time, and you need to measure and install a separate countertop to fit after the installation of the island.

Custom Kitchen Islands

The average cost of a kitchen island ranges from $3,500 to $25,000. These islands are entirely customized to suit your kitchen, and you have the freedom to change every aspect of it, from the shape to the size, color, configuration, drawers, and doors. Custom cabinets cost more because of workmanship, materials and remain a good option for odd kitchen designs and spaces.

Custom islands are the best choice if you have a particular idea in mind or prefer a unique island size. These custom islands cost an average of $500 to $1,300 for every linear square foot. These customized projects are more expensive if you add more intricate glazes, custom colors, and other intricate details.

Prefab Kitchen Islands

Homeowners who want a stock or prefab kitchen island must be ready to spend $200 to $2,500. You can find these readymade options almost anywhere, and these will arrive at your home already preassembled so that you can use them immediately.

But some stock islands may require assembly by a professional or the homeowners themselves. Many of these islands feature table legs or wheels not intended for permanent installation. These islands are ideal options for smaller spaces since these are portable kitchen islands you can quickly move when and as needed.

Semi-Custom Kitchen Islands

For semi-custom kitchen islands, the average prices range between $1,250 and $15,000. These islands are sold and installed per every linear square foot, and every square foot installed costs $150 to $650.

These semi-custom islands can still get more expensive if you make more changes to their basic design. Such changes can include drawer size, colors, doors, and configuration. Start by choosing the basic cabinet design and working with a designer to make the changes you want to achieve for the final appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a kitchen island?

A kitchen island is one of the most crucial features of any cooking space. Kitchen islands are a good choice as multipurpose units. They can have freestanding cabinets or open shelves which can improve the appearance and overall function of any kitchen design or concept. You can use your kitchen island for different purposes, including food preparation and seating.

What are the recommended ideal walkway clearances in kitchens?

Walkway clearances in kitchens must be at least 36 inches. However, walkway clearances should be at a minimum of 42 inches if there are appliances with doors in the walkway area.

How much does it cost to install a kitchen island?

The cost of kitchen island installation will largely depend on your project’s specific amount of work. However, carpenters can charge an hourly fee of an average of $100.

You might also need some electrical work, which means you need to hire electricians who can charge $40 up to $120 per hour. Meanwhile, plumbers who install electrical outlets, gas lines, and other plumbing work can charge $75 to $130 per hour.

Most kitchen island installations can be part of an overall kitchen remodeling project and may take more than one day.

How much do granite countertops cost per square foot?

Granite is a popular material for many kitchens today, and this can cost $75 to $400 for each square foot.

How do you install a kitchen island?

Installing a kitchen island is performed with carpentry to ensure that the cabinetry is securely fixed to the floor and features a kick plate. A professional must also assemble the island base with the countertop secured and mounted correctly. You must do electrical or plumbing work before and after installing the actual island itself.

What is the ideal area in your kitchen for installing an island?

You can have your kitchen island installed almost anywhere as long as you have 36 inches on every side to allow safe passage, and this is applicable even if one end of the island is against a wall. The basic rule here is that the rest of the sides must allow an extra space of 36 inches.

Which countertop material is the most resistant out of all the different options?

Many kitchen island designs use stainless steel because it doesn’t crack, burn, or get damaged easily compared to other materials. But if you want to use more natural material for your kitchen island, your best bet is quartz because of its remarkable strength. Meanwhile, laminates can resist wear and tear and burns, which are very common in all kitchens.