Your kitchen is one of the most important spaces in your home, which is why you spend an average of 37 minutes every day in there preparing and serving food.
That’s why getting your kitchen layout right is so important. A clever layout will allow you to get the most out of the space, prepare food efficiently, and create good ergonomics.
But what design is the best? There are a few different types of kitchen layouts, and we can tell you all about them so you can make the right decision when purchasing your next home or remodeling your kitchen.
Keep reading to find out which layout is best for you.
What Is a Kitchen Layout?
First, let’s define what a kitchen layout is.
The kitchen layout is your kitchen’s floor plan. The layout determines the arrangement of storage, large appliances, and workspaces.
An important aspect of what to consider when planning a kitchen layout is the work triangle. The work triangle is the path made when moving from the refrigerator to the sink and the stove. When the work triangle is not too large, the kitchen will be easy and efficient to use.
One Wall or Single Wall Kitchen
A one wall or single wall kitchen is a kitchen built on one wall. They may also be called Pullman kitchens, a reference to the Pullman Company and their train cars.
It’s a compact design with cabinets and appliances fixed on a single wall. Due to its space-saving design, single-wall kitchens are common in studio apartments. They are also popular in homes where the owners desire an open kitchen layout.
A single-wall kitchen can be inexpensive to implement. If you’re looking to build a new kitchen or remodel an existing one, a single-wall kitchen can be a DIY home renovation project.
However, single-wall kitchens are not appealing to everyone. They may hurt your home’s resale value.
They can also lack adequate counter space. When they do have counter space, it may be spread out, requiring you to do more traveling when prepping food.
Galley
A galley kitchen is another compact kitchen design. Its name comes from its resemblance to a ship’s galley.
In a galley kitchen, a central walkway “divides” the kitchen area into two halves. Areas are clustered together for size and convenience purposes.
For example, a stove may be near the fridge, on the same side of the kitchen. Opposite that may be the sink and additional counter space. Since a galley kitchen layout uses an additional row of cabinetry, it offers more storage than a single wall kitchen.
Some galley kitchens are also planned for vertical storage. It’s not uncommon to see galley kitchens with hanging pots and pans.
However, galley kitchens can be dangerous for households with large families or multiple people in the kitchen simultaneously – especially if work areas are spread out opposite each other instead of all along one wall.
L Shape
L shape kitchens are often seen in small and medium spaces. The L shape layout offers countertops on two adjoining perpendicular walls.
L shape kitchens offer a good amount of flexibility when it comes to appliance placement and work zones.
They are also great for open floor plans since they section off a corner for a designated food prep space.
An L shape kitchen can reduce traffic since it lacks the walkway of a galley or open space of a single wall kitchen.
L shape kitchens utilize otherwise lost corner space. This space-saving design makes them appealing for smaller homes, along with a pantry.
If the idea of an open pantry doesn’t appeal to you, you can install a set of double pantry doors to conceal stocked shelves.
However, an L shape kitchen is not ideal for multiple cooks. Appliances can be too spread out, especially if the “legs” of the L are too long. This is especially true in large kitchens.
U Shape
A U shape kitchen is also known as a horseshoe kitchen due to its shape of three walls.
A U shape kitchen works even in large kitchen areas. They offer plenty of storage and surround you with countertops on three sides. Due to their layout, two cooks can work at the same time.
U-shaped kitchens can create a unique focal point. It’s not uncommon to see a U shape kitchen that draws one’s attention to a gorgeous window view or simply to high-end appliances.
However, having cupboards or appliances on all three sides can reduce the overall floor area and make the space feel claustrophobic. That’s not an issue in larger spaces, but in smaller homes, a U shape kitchen can feel tight.
Island Kitchen
An island kitchen incorporates the use of an island It’s a freestanding unit that supplements kitchen space.
An island can add extra storage and counter space. An island can also be outfitted with appliances or fixtures for added functionality. Or it can serve as a dining area, with bar stools for seating.
However, it can be hard to determine what size island you need. Too small of an island, and you won’t have the space you need for storage or your appliances. Too large of an island, and it may make your kitchen feel cramped.
The Many Different Types of Kitchen Layouts
So which is the best kitchen layout?
A smart homeowner will choose the layout that works for them and incorporate appropriate kitchen design ideas to make the space their own. You should consider your space, what you desire in a kitchen, and how large your family is. No matter what layout you have to work with, you can always modify and renovate your space to better suit your needs.
If you like this article on the different types of kitchen layouts, check out similar articles in our home improvement section.
