Toronto condo kitchens work hard. They are often narrow, they share walls and plumbing with neighbours, and they usually sit right beside your living room. When you plan a condo kitchen like a detached house kitchen, you can run into real problems with clearances, noise, and building rules.

When you design for condo realities from day one, the same small footprint can feel brighter, easier to cook in, and much more organized.

In this 2025 guide, we look at how JG Contracting approaches condo kitchen renovations in Toronto, with a focus on galley, one-wall, and peninsula layouts.

How Condo Kitchens Differ From House Kitchens

On paper, a kitchen is a kitchen. In practice, condo kitchens come with their own rules and limits.

Common condo kitchen constraints include:

• Concrete slabs that limit where you can move plumbing
• Shared plumbing stacks that run in specific walls
• Building supplied ventilation that you cannot alter freely
• Fire separations and sprinkler lines that must be respected
• Noise rules and working hours are set by the condo board

You also have more logistics to think about. Elevators, loading areas, visitor parking, and waste rooms all affect how fast materials and debris can move in and out. A good condo kitchen plan respects all of that from the start, so you do not end up redesigning mid-project.

Measure First, Then Decide On A Layout

Before you fall in love with a specific cabinet line or appliance package, it helps to get the basics on paper.

During a condo kitchen consult, we usually:

1. Measure the room, including ceiling height, window locations, and bulkheads.
2. Mark structural columns, plumbing stacks, and electrical panels on a simple plan.
3. Note where the building currently brings in fresh air and where the kitchen exhaust leaves.
4. Record aisle widths and door swings so we know how much space we really have.

With these measurements in place, we can see which layouts are realistic:

• Galley kitchens where cabinets run on two facing walls
• One-wall kitchens along a single long wall
• L-shaped kitchens that add a small peninsula for seating and storage

This is also the stage where we talk honestly about what should move, what should stay put for budget reasons, and what changes might trigger permits or extra approvals.

Making A Galley Condo Kitchen Work

Galley kitchens are very common in Toronto condos. When they are planned well, they are efficient and easy to use. When the aisle is too tight, or the doors clash, they feel cramped fast.

A few planning ideas for galley condo kitchens:

• Aim for a comfortable walkway between the two cabinet runs so two people can pass each other without bumping.
• Keep tall elements like fridge surrounds and pantry towers mostly at the ends so the centre of the kitchen feels more open.
• Use light colours, simple cabinet fronts, and clean lines to keep the space from feeling like a tunnel.

In some cases, it makes sense to vary cabinet depth. One side might have full-depth lowers for the sink and cooktop, while the opposite side uses slightly shallower cabinets for storage and a coffee station. That small change can free up a few precious inches of aisle space without sacrificing much function.

Appliance placement matters too. Sinks and cooktops tend to work best on the same run, so you are not crossing the aisle with hot pots, while the fridge often belongs on the opposite side near the room entry.

One Wall Kitchens In Open Concept Condos

Many newer condos have one-wall kitchens that open directly into the living and dining area. These can look sleek, but they still need real storage, work surfaces, and a place to hide clutter.

Key considerations for one-wall condo kitchens:

• Use as much vertical space as the building allows for tall pantry cabinets and extra shelving.
• Combine regular upper cabinets with a few open shelves so the wall does not feel too heavy.
• Plan at least one generous, clear prep zone between the sink and cooktop.

In some units, you can add a small island or freestanding table in front of the kitchen for extra prep space and seating. When there is no room for an island, a narrow console behind the sofa or along a side wall can serve as overflow storage and a coffee zone.

Finishes matter even more in open concept layouts. Cabinet colours, backsplashes, and countertops all need to play nicely with your living room furniture and flooring since you see everything at once.

Adding A Peninsula Without Blocking Circulation

Peninsula kitchens are a popular upgrade when you want more counter space and seating but do not have enough room for a full island.

A well-planned peninsula can:

• Create a natural boundary between the kitchen and the living areas
• Provide bar seating for two or three people
• Add deep storage for pots, small appliances, and recycling

At the same time, you need enough space to walk around the peninsula without feeling squeezed. We usually check two things:

• Is there a comfortable path from the front door past the kitchen into the rest of the unit?
• Is there enough clearance between the peninsula and the opposite cabinets when the dishwasher or oven door is open?

If the answer to either question is no, we adjust the depth, length, or angle of the peninsula so daily circulation still feels natural.

Right-Sizing Appliances For Condo Kitchens

Full-size appliances do not always make sense in tight condos. Oversized pieces can shrink clearances and overwhelm the room.

Some condo-friendly appliance strategies include:

• Choosing counter-depth or built-in fridges so that walkways stay clear
• Considering 24-inch or 27-inch wide ranges instead of a standard 30-inch model in very small spaces
• Using an 18-inch dishwasher where every inch of base cabinet storage counts
• Looking at induction cooktops for their fast response, cooler surfaces, and built-in safety features

Microwave placement also deserves attention. In many condos, a microwave hood combo above the range is the only practical option, especially when ducted venting is not possible. Where space and building rules allow, a separate range hood plus a built-in microwave in a tall cabinet or island gives you better cooking ventilation and frees up eye-level space.

The main goal is to pick appliances that fit your cooking habits and the actual room, not just what happens to be on sale in a standard package.

Ventilation, Odours, And Neighbours

In a condo, cooking smells travel quickly. They can move into your bedroom, your neighbour’s hallway, or shared corridors if the ventilation is not up to the job.

When we plan condo kitchens, we look at:

• Whether the building allows ducted range hoods or only recirculating models
• How loud the existing fan is and whether an upgrade is realistic
• How kitchen ventilation ties into the overall unit ventilation and fresh air system

Even in buildings that rely on recirculating hoods, you can often improve things with a better quality unit, upgraded filters, and a habit of running the fan early and leaving it on after cooking.

Good ventilation matters not just for odours but also for moisture and indoor air quality, especially in small, tightly sealed units.

Approvals, Permits, And Condo Board Rules

Condo kitchen renovations involve two layers of approval.

First, your condo board or property manager has its own rules. Many require:

• A formal renovation application and security deposit
• Proof of insurance from your contractor
• Work hours that limit noise to weekdays
• Pre approval for any changes to plumbing, electrical, or ventilation

Second, some work may need City of Toronto building permits and Electrical Safety Authority notifications. You are generally in permit territory when you:

• Move plumbing fixtures to a new wall
• Open up or remove portions of structural walls
• Add or move exhaust ducts through fire-rated assemblies
• Make significant changes to electrical wiring and circuits

A reputable contractor and designer will help you understand which parts of your wish list are simple cosmetic changes and which require drawings, permits, or engineered details.

How JG Contracting Approaches Condo Kitchen Renovations

At JG Contracting, we treat condo kitchens as a balance between design, building rules, and day-to-day life.

Our typical process includes:

1. Initial walk-through and board rules review so we understand what your building will and will not allow.
2. Detailed measurements and photos of your current kitchen, including ceiling height, bulkheads, and neighbouring rooms.
3. Layout options for galley, one wall, or peninsula designs that respect structure, plumbing, and ventilation.
4. Appliance and finish selections that fit both the room and your cooking style.
5. Coordination of approvals and permits with your condo board, City of Toronto, and licensed trades.
6. Clean construction and communication so neighbours stay informed and your home stays as livable as possible during the work.

By the end, you get a kitchen that feels larger, works better, and stays within the limits of your building.

Helpful companion reads on our site:

• Toronto Kitchen Remodel Playbook 2025: Layouts, Storage & Materials That Last
• Toronto Condo Renovations: What You Can And Cannot Do In 2025
• St. Patrick, Toronto – Condo Transformation: Flooring & Paint Upgrade
• Carlton Street, Toronto – Bathroom & Flooring Renovation In A Condo

Ready To Plan A Condo Kitchen That Actually Works Day To Day?

If your condo kitchen feels cramped, dark, or awkward to cook in, we can help you rework the layout, appliances, and finishes without fighting your building.

We will walk you through layout options, approvals, and material choices so your next renovation is smooth from first sketch to final clean. Contact us today to book a consultation.

📞 Call us at: 437-259-9632

✉️ Email us at: jgcontractingyyz@gmail.com

🌐 Website: https://jgcontractingyyz.com