Thinking of changing the layout of your kitchen? From one-wall kitchens to island kitchens, there are many different options to choose from. This post explores some of the most popular shapes of kitchen and their advantages.
One-wall kitchen
A simple option could be to arrange all of the cabinets, countertops and appliances along a single wall. This is a great space-saving option for studio apartments or multi-functional living spaces – allowing the other walls to be used for other functions. A disadvantage of this layout is that it sacrifices the ‘work triangle’ – the idea of placing the refrigerator, sink and stove in a triangle for maximum flow. Unless positioned along a very long wall, such kitchens may also lack storage space and countertop space.
Galley kitchen
In a galley kitchen, all the kitchen elements are located along two parallel walls with a walkway in the middle. They are typically long and narrow and have a door on either end. The galley kitchen allows you to adopt the work triangle and can allow plenty of countertop and cabinet space.
L-shaped kitchen
This type of kitchen is built alongside two adjoining walls in an L-shape. Because such kitchens are built into the corner of a room, they can have quite a snug feel, but can be quite cramped if the room is very small. L-shaped kitchens often have a good sense of flow.
U-shaped kitchen
These kitchens wrap around three walls of a room in a U-shape. This can provide ample space for countertops and cabinets, and can be used to perfectly optimize the work triangle. Multiple people can also prepare food together without getting in each other’s way.
Peninsula kitchen
The peninsula kitchen has a countertop that extends away from the wall into the middle of the room. This is commonly used as a breakfast bar – seating can be placed either side of it so that people can dine at it, however it can also be used as extra space to prepare food. Peninsula kitchens are very versatile spaces that are best suited to large open-plan spaces or oddly-shaped rooms.
Island kitchen
This type of kitchen is centered around a freestanding island – a countertop that is not connected to any walls or any of the other countertops. Island kitchens are highly sought after, because they are very versatile and can greatly maximize storage space and countertop space. However, they are typically only possible in quite a large room. Companies like Suncrest Construction can help you design and build an island kitchen.
Double island kitchen
As the name suggests, these kitchens contain two islands. Such a layout can result in oodles of countertop and storage space, making them excellent for homeowners who crave lots of space for preparing food or dining. However, they are typically only feasible in very large rooms.
Which kitchen layout is right for you?
The type of kitchen layout that is best suited for your home is likely to depend on how much space you have to work with. Peninsula kitchens and island kitchens are well worth considering for those who have lots of space, as they are some of the most versatile solutions and may add a lot of value to your home. Stick to other layouts if you have only a small space to work with. Remember that you can always extend or borrow space from another room to expand your layout options.
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