Choosing a kitchen layout to suit your space
Are you struggling to decide on which kitchen layout would best suit the size and shape of your space?
We’re exploring the range of layouts available, so you can find the perfect one for your room without compromising on style and practicality.
There are many factors to account for when deciding on the kitchen layout for your
space. Firstly, you will need to consider the size and shape of your room and how it
will be able to accommodate a kitchen, then you need to decide on which
appliances will need to be integrated, and how much work space you will need to
suit your lifestyle.
In this post, we’re taking a look at a selection of the most popular kitchen layouts
available, exploring the benefits they can bring to your space, and the room
sizes/shapes they are best suited to.
THE U-SHAPED KITCHEN
A U-Shaped kitchen is perfectly designed to be user friendly and efficient, with
worktops on three sides to enable smooth food preparation, appliances within a
practical proximity of each other, and ample storage possibilities.
The layout is best suited to those with a medium sized space, as the extra units can
take up too much floor surface in some smaller kitchens, and the design can be
unpractical in a larger space as the work stations can end up being too far apart.
If you have an open plan living and kitchen area, a U-Shaped kitchen can be
perfect for separating your family space from the kitchen area, while still allowing
for socialising across the two.
THE L-SHAPED KITCHEN
An L-Shaped kitchen is a classic design that never goes out of fashion. The layout utilises
two walls of a room for a continuous flow of cabinets and worktops in an ‘L shape’, taking
note of exit/entry points and windows.
It’s practical, seamless and works effectively in any sized kitchen, leaving open floor space
that creates the illusion of a bigger room- perfect for smaller footprints.
The design is also perfect for open-plan living, with it’s central area left free for a dining
table, kitchen island, or a family living space in a modern property. This makes it the ideal
kitchen layout for entertaining and for the practicalities of every day family life.
A KITCHEN ISLAND
Attractive and practical, the popularity of the kitchen island layout doesn’t look set to die
down any time soon.
This plan, which is more suited to medium to large sized kitchens, often uses the open floor
space available from an a L-Shaped or Galley layout to incorporate a beautiful kitchen
island.
The island can include an integrated breakfast bar or double-up as a dining area with
enough seating for the whole family, and brings with it an abundance of work space and
extra storage possibilities.
This layout is ideal for those who love to cook as it creates a separate food preparation
space and can help segment work areas in the kitchen. An island can also house the
kitchen sink, meaning the work space along your walls is freed-up for more appliances.
In terms of your kitchen’s appearance, an island is a great opportunity to experiment with
a two-tone colour scheme, or to mix-up materials with a contrasting work surface.
THE GALLEY KITCHEN
As the name suggests, a Galley kitchen is a single line of cabinets, often long and narrow,
utilising one wall of a room. This design makes for a streamlined, modern and functional
space with great accessibility.
This layout is suited to almost any kitchen size, allowing for a dining table or island in a
larger space, and leaving floor space in a smaller kitchen for moving around with ease.
The cooking and sink area must be separated on worktops, which can cause an issue for
some smaller kitchens, but if your room allows it then this layout can supply a great
amount of food preparation space and storage posibilities.
Tip: Incorporate glazed display doors into your Galley kitchen to make your space feel
more open.
THE DOUBLE GALLEY KITCHEN
With cabinets along the length of two opposite walls, a Double Galley kitchen shares the
benefits of a Galley kitchen, but brings the advantage of further storage and worktop
space for food preparation and displaying appliances.
This layout can be perfect for any sized kitchen (dependent on the individual room) as it
can allow for a dining table or island in a large kitchen, or can help incorporate more
storage and work space into a smaller kitchen while still allowing people to walk the length
of the room.
Tip: Lighting can make or break both the aesthetics and functions of a Double Galley
kitchen. Plinth lighting and illuminated, glazed wall cabinets will open up the scheme and
create a spacious feel.