Anybody who loves to cook will completely relate to what we will discuss today; kitchen layout types and designs. The perfect kitchen does exist; it’s where everything is at the optimum arm’s distance, where you can have enough room to stand and even dance around a bit, and where you cook your favorite meals and make your best memories.
Now that we have talked about dreams and hopes let’s turn to the practical aspect. You must remember many elements while designing your kitchen, from measurements to the placement of things to even the overall layout. Everything must be done in the most mindful and planned manner to avoid any added hassle later on.
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Ergonomics are the next most important thing to consider while designing a kitchen. For those unfamiliar with the term, explained it is the science behind designing a space specifically for the people who are meant to use it. So, ergonomics must be considered for your kitchen to ‘fit’ you right. For example, the height of your cabinets or even the thickness of your slabs must be as per your family’s needs. If you have any physical handicap, the whole layout must be changed and readjusted to be within your reach.
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Another important factor in kitchen layout design is the famously known “work triangle.” This one is pretty simple. It consists of a triangle-like placement of the three most important elements of the kitchen, i.e., the stovetop, the kitchen sink, and the refrigerator. The work triangle is important because it helps create an effortless flow of work in the kitchen for food preparation, the cleaning area, and the food storage area.
The 7 Most Popular Kitchen Layout Types
Now that we have covered some necessary points of concern, let’s begin to discuss the most popular and efficient kitchen layout types. It is probable that your kitchen already has one of the following layouts, so if you are here for inspiration and looking for a change, keep reading!
The One Wall Kitchen Layout
This type of kitchen layout is normally found in smaller kitchens with very limited space, and you need it to be as functional as possible. These kitchens mostly have all cabinets installed on the same wall, using all the potential storage it would offer. You can divide the cabinets into upper and lower cabinets and strategically place all your appliances on the same wall to create a clean, minimalistic aesthetic.
Pros
- The biggest advantage of this kitchen layout design is its simplicity. Given how adaptable and open it is, there is always plenty of room in your kitchen to accommodate more people and make it simpler for everyone to walk around.
- Another great pro is the ease of designing, planning, and executing this kitchen. With all the utility work gathered on a single wall, there is no worry of overlaps and getting jobs done in different kitchen parts. This not only makes it convenient but it makes it very budget friendly too.
Cons
- The main drawback here is in terms of efficiency when using the kitchen. One-wall kitchen models cannot be the best pick if you have frequent big gatherings at home.
- As per the work triangle, the limited space and all appliances being aligned make it difficult to reach out and grab what you need efficiently. The limited counter space in this design is another major disadvantage.
The Corridor/Galley Kitchen Layout
The galley kitchen layout is one of the most popular home designs due to its economical and storage-friendliness. This layout design consists of two rows of cabinets that are face-to-face with each other, with an inner galley-like passage between them. This type of layout is best known for using every single inch of space at your disposal and turning it into useful storage. This kitchen layout style is considered best in narrow, limited-space homes.
Pros
- This kitchen layout is mostly seen in homes because it fulfills the work triangle requirements.
- It is functional, efficient, and can be made in even the smallest spaces.
- There is the most usage taken out of counters and cabinets.
- As long as the middle aisle is broad enough, it is a good design for your home.
Cons
- Considering that the walking area of this kitchen layout can very easily go from good enough to too narrow, crowding is a major concern in such kitchens.
- This kitchen can quickly go from very efficient to suffocating, even with large overhead cabinets. So be sure to keep the width of the galley in mind as a priority.
The L-Shaped Kitchen Layout
As the name suggests, the L-shaped kitchen is mainly focused on two perpendicular walls of a kitchen. This is one of the most practical and efficient designs for a kitchen. This type of kitchen design can be incorporated from average-sized kitchens to very large ones.
Pros
- This kitchen is most popular for its use of the kitchen triangle and its ample space.
- Another great factor of this kitchen layout is adding a kitchen island if there is room. So, while cooking, you can still entertain others in the kitchen.
Cons
- There is no major disadvantage to this design that could make you not want to pick it other than the varied placement of your appliances.
- If you opt for a kitchen island, it could result in placing your refrigerator a little too far away to be accessible easily.
- Another minor concern could be trying to reach the corner cabinets as well as you would want to since they will be a little hard to reach.
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The U-Shaped/Horseshoe Kitchen Layout
This one is a great design option for those with larger kitchens. The U-shaped kitchen is designed so that cabinetry is placed along with three adjacent walls. This type of layout allows you to create maximum storage in your kitchen. This design is very similar to a galley kitchen layout except that one of the end walls now also has countertops and cabinets made on top of it.
Pros
- This design is an extremely efficient and functional design when it comes to kitchens.
- The third, closed-end wall provides additional storage, ideal for larger families.
- This one is a better version of the galley kitchen with added workspace and storage.
Cons
- This kind of kitchen layout can be good on its own, but if you want a kitchen island, you must ensure it is large enough.
- Adding seating in such kitchens can also be challenging since it is closed up from three sides.
The Island Kitchen Layout
Island kitchens are a popular kitchen layout design, especially in homes with an open studio plan. They have large kitchens that have huge countertops and work areas in the middle of the kitchen. In this area, you can also include elements such as a cooking surface, prep bowl, and bar or wine fridge. The island can also be a prep or serving area for larger gatherings.
Pros
- There is increased counter space for small appliances and prep space and additional storage for cooking utensils and specialty tools.
- One can also add seating options with bar stools or dining chairs along one or more sides, helping create a defined space in an open-concept home.
Cons
- Islands take up a decent amount of space and can disrupt the room flow if the island interrupts the work triangle.
- Another concern can be that the appliances cannot be placed however you wish since some require vents while others might need wiring or plumbing, and many of these things cannot be done on an island setup.
The Peninsula Kitchen Layout
The peninsula resembles the island kitchen, where a kitchen counter is pulled from a wall or cabinetry. This could be a great alternative for those with limited space who wish for a kitchen island’s benefits. The peninsula can be used for anything from food preparation to eating to even having a small sitting space. This kitchen is similar to a U- or L-shape, with an added asymmetrical factor.
Pros
- This type of kitchen is known to accommodate more appliances and seating and is considered ideal for kitchens that are too narrow for an independent island.
Cons
- This type of kitchen is best suited for larger-sized rooms, and if it is laid out in a smaller room, it can lead to a lot of crowdedness.
- Another major drawback would be that with the added kitchen island, technically, the room closes up from 3 sides and leaves only one side open for entry.
Conclusion
One of the first things you must look into while designing your kitchen must be how functional and practical it is. Regardless of how massive or small your kitchen is, there are several ways to get the most out of it, and the most important way of them all has to be layout design. A plan beforehand ensures you have all the numbers before jumping into anything. As different individuals, we all have different expectations and requirements for what would be an ideal kitchen for us.
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FAQs
What is a standard kitchen layout?
Most kitchens have five standard layouts – Galley, L-Shaped, U-Shaped, G-Shaped, and Single Wall.
What is the most functional kitchen layout?
L-Shaped. The L-shaped kitchen layout is one of the most popular designs because it’s super functional and can be adapted for almost any sized space, ranging from smaller to larger. As the name suggests, an L-shaped kitchen has cabinetry and appliances along two adjacent walls, creating an obvious triangle path between work zones.
What are the 4 main sections of a kitchen?
- Pantry area for food storage, including refrigerator.
- Storage for small appliances, utensils, and cookware.
- Sink areas for cleaning.
- preparation area, large countertop, or island.
- cooking area including stove and oven.
Why is kitchen layout important?
Planning the layout is extremely important to get the most from your kitchen. It will help ensure you can keep your space neat, it will boost your workflow, it can allow you to introduce areas for relaxing or socializing, and it will ultimately impact the overall ambiance of your space.
What is a two wall kitchen?
The galley or two-wall kitchen layout is one of the most popular home designs due to its economical and storage-friendly nature. This layout design consists of two rows of cabinets that are face-to-face with each other, with an inner galley-like passage between them. This type of layout is best known for using every single inch of space at your disposal and turning it into useful storage.
What is a Euro kitchen?
They feature flat surfaces, flush doors, little to no hardware, and do not have many decorations or “frills.” European kitchens have frame-less construction – or full overlay. This means cabinets are constructed without a face frame attached to the front of the cabinet box.
What is a PVC kitchen?
PVC kitchen cabinets made from PVC boards, especially foam boards, are sturdy and durable. PVC for kitchen cabinets is lightweight compared to other kitchen cabinet materials like solid or engineered wood. PVC kitchen cabinets made from foam boards are fire, moisture, and termite resistant.
