5 Basic Kitchen Design Layouts

Couple in kitchen

Remodeling a kitchen?is sometimes a matter of updating appliances, countertops, and cabinets. But to really get to the essence of a kitchen, it helps to rethink the entire plan and flow of the kitchen. Basic?kitchen design layouts?are templates that you can use for your own kitchen. You may not necessarily use the?kitchen?layout as-is, but it’s a great springboard for developing other ideas and making the design one that’s purely unique.

One-Wall Kitchen Layout

A kitchen design where all appliances, cabinets, and countertops are positioned along one wall is known as the?one-wall layout.?The one-wall kitchen layout can work equally well for both?very small kitchens?and for extremely big spaces.

One-wall kitchen layouts aren’t very common since they require so much walking back and forth. But if cooking isn’t the focus of your living space, a one-wall layout is a great way to tuck kitchen activities off to the side.

Pros

Unimpeded traffic flow
No visual barriers
Easy to design, plan, and build
Mechanical services (plumbing and electrical) clustered on one wall
Lower cost than other layouts

Cons

Limited counter space
Does not utilize the?classic kitchen triangle, so may be less efficient than other layouts
Limited space makes it difficult or impossible to include a seating area
Homebuyers may find one-wall layouts less appealing

Corridor or Galley Kitchen Layout

When space is narrow and limited (such as in condos, small homes, and apartments), the corridor or galley-style layout is often the only kind of design possible.

In this design, two walls facing each other have all of the kitchen services. A galley kitchen may be open on both the remaining sides, allowing the kitchen to also serve as a passageway?between spaces. Or, one of the two remaining walls can contain a window or exterior door, or it may be simply walled off.

Pros

Highly functional because it uses the?classic kitchen triangle.
More space for counters and cabinets
Keeps the kitchen hidden, if that’s your desire

Cons

Aisle is narrow, so it’s not a good layout when two cooks like to work at the same time
Aisle can be too narrow even for some single-cook situations
Difficult, if not impossible, to include a seating area
End wall is usually dead, useless space
Impedes traffic flow through the house

L-Shaped Kitchen Layout

The?L-shaped kitchen design plan?is the most?popular kitchen layout. This layout features two adjoining walls that meet in an L-shape. Both walls hold all the countertops, cabinets, and kitchen services, with the other two adjoining walls open.

For kitchens that have a large, square space, an L-shaped layout s highly efficient, versatile, and flexible.

Pros

Possible use of?the kitchen triangle
Layout offers increased countertop space when compared to the galley and one-wall layouts
Best for adding a kitchen?island because you have no cabinets constricting placement of the island
Easier to include a table or other seating area within the kitchen

Cons

Endpoints of the kitchen triangle (i.e., from range to?the refrigerator) may lie quite far apart
Blind corners are a problem?since corner base cabinets and wall cabinets can be?difficult to reach
L-shaped kitchens may be viewed as too ordinary by some homebuyers

which kitchen layout is right for you illustration

Double-L Design Kitchen Layout

A highly evolved?kitchen design layout, a double-L kitchen layout design allows for?two?workstations. An L-shaped or one-wall kitchen is augmented by a full-featured?kitchen island?that includes at least a cooktop, sink, or both.

Two cooks can easily work in this type of kitchen,?as the workstations are separated. These are normally large kitchens that can include two sinks or additional appliances, such as a wine cooler or a second dishwasher.

Pros

Plenty of countertop space
Enough rooms for two cooks to work in the same kitchen

Cons

Requires a large amount of floor space
Can be more kitchen than most homeowners need

U-Shaped Kitchen Design Layout

The?U-shaped kitchen design plan?can be?thought of as a?corridor-shape?plan—except that one end wall has countertops or kitchen services. The remaining wall is left open to allow access to the kitchen.

This arrangement maintains?a good workflow?by means of the classic?kitchen triangle. The closed-end wall provides plenty of space for extra cabinets.

If you want?a?kitchen island, it’s more difficult to squeeze one into this design.?Good kitchen space planning?dictates that you have aisles that are at least 48 inches wide, and that is hard to achieve in this layout.

With appliances on three walls and the fourth wall open for access, it is difficult to include a seating area in a U-shaped kitchen.

Pros

Excellent workflow
Good use of kitchen triangle

Cons

Difficult to incorporate a kitchen island
May not be possible to have a seating area
Requires a lot of space

Any questions please feel free to ask me through Andrew@sinotxj.com

Post time: Jan-11-2023