If you’re renovating your kitchen or designing one from scratch, you’ll need to think seriously about what kitchen layouts you like best. Kitchen layouts are not only important for aesthetics, but for functional purposes as well! You can have the best country style kitchen in mind, but if the ergonomics don’t check out, then you might not be as excited as you thought!
Depending on how you use your kitchen, there’s a kitchen floor plan out there for you. Don’t worry if you don’t know where to start. We’ve laid out the 6 main types of layouts so that you can find the perfect kitchen design for your home.
What Are The 6 Types Of Kitchen Layouts?
U-shape
The U-shaped kitchen design is an excellent option to consider if you have a lot of space to work with. This layout encompasses 3 kitchen walls, laden with storage opportunities and bench space. The three walls make the U-shaped design that this space is known for.
If you’re looking to add more cooking or workspace, think about adding a kitchen island in the middle. This will also give you the option to separate different kitchen functions and get the most out of potential storage space. However, this will only work if you have a large kitchen or else the room will feel crowded.
This kitchen layout is fantastic if you like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and simultaneously have family and friends dropping in for some social time.
G-shape
This kitchen layout is similar to the U-shape design. Three walls, all with lovely space for cooking or meal preparation. The main difference here is that this design makes use of another partition. The partition can either be a partial fourth wall, filled with additional cabinets, or a peninsula.
For those of you not familiar with the term, a kitchen peninsula is the same as a kitchen island, simply with one end attached to the wall or another structure.
The peninsula in this design makes for an excellent breakfast nook! You can create a small seating area with some bar stools where you can enjoy your morning cup of coffee or where your children can grab breakfast before school.
L-shape
The L-shaped kitchen is a popular kitchen option for those looking for a functional kitchen but also a place to socialise. It only makes use of 2 adjacent walls, which gives the kitchen layout its name. This kitchen design is best for open-plan houses or apartments.
Often, this layout will feature an island or peninsula for some added storage or prep space. This is perfect for adding in some extra base cabinets and expanding the surface area of your kitchen.
Galley
The galley kitchen allows you to move in the space encapsulated by two opposite walls. Galley kitchen layouts have not been the most popular home concepts in recent years, because the shape is quite strict. Open plan living is also the current trend, and galley kitchens don’t suit this style.
They can be useful if you have a small living space and want to separate the kitchen area from another room. The two walls give you plenty of storage space and room to house your appliances. Everything you need in the kitchen will be somewhere along with the wall space.
Single Wall
This kitchen layout is sweet and simple. One-wall kitchens are often found in loft spaces – they are space savers, for sure! All of your cabinets are fixed onto one wall. Your cooking space can be found along that wall as well, although a kitchen island is always a good option to consider if you need more storage or benchtop space.
Twin Island
This last kitchen layout is the epitome of extravagance! One kitchen island is a beautiful, stylish addition to the space. Two kitchen islands sitting adjacent to each other? We’re in Heaven. If you have a whole lot of space and aren’t shy with feature pieces – this is the design for you.
In very large kitchen spaces, or simply if you have a very large family – one island can become impractical. This kitchen layout does require a lot of thought. If the concept is executed well, it will become a sophisticated and elegant reality.
What Is The Best Layout For A Kitchen?
The kitchen is the tastiest social hub of the home but also a functional space. Everyone needs a kitchen that suits their needs. Your dream kitchen isn’t a generic ‘best layout’. Your dream kitchen will be one that is tailored to your needs including style, functionality and storage space.
If you have a lot of appliances and need storage space, A G-shaped kitchen might be best. If you’re working with smaller spaces, you might want to consider the L-shaped kitchen layout or the galley kitchen layout.
If you love kitchen islands and have a fair amount of space available – take a look at the U-shaped kitchen layout or the twin-island kitchen design for your home.
What Is The Most Efficient Kitchen Shape?
When talking kitchen efficiency, it would be a crime not to mention the work triangle. This concept involves an unseen triangle being created by the areas for food preparation, cleaning and storage.
Essentially, your refrigerator, stovetop and sink need to be in a triangle formation to create a site of efficiency.
If you want a kitchen with maximum efficiency, you can make use of any of the layouts. You simply need to plan the site well to make sure nothing is in the way. Plan for minimal traffic through the triangle, and for no cabinets or appliances to intersect the triangle.
The Bottom Line
If you need help designing the perfect layout for your kitchen renovation, call Renovation Capital today. Our team of professionals can advise you on the best layouts for your space, effective work triangles and any other design-related questions. We’ll take a look at all your kitchen layout ideas and help choose the best one so that you can make the most of your new kitchen layout.
