So, you are looking for the best kitchen layout ideas? When renovating your kitchen, it is essential to start with how you want the room laid out. Your kitchen layout will determine many of the decisions you will need to make along the way, from plumbing to where the electrical sockets will be. Your kitchen layout will determine all of this.
There are six categories of kitchen layouts: galley, island, one wall, u-shaped, l-shaped, and peninsular. The one that will work for you will depend on the space you have to work with and how you and your family use your kitchen. Here is a breakdown of the types of kitchens and what to think about before you choose the one that is right for you.
Kitchen Layout Ideas
Where to start?
Before you decide on a kitchen layout, you will need to look at the space you will be using for your kitchen and determine if there are any restricting factors. Firstly, this will be the size and shape of the space. Is it a long and thin room or a square room? Secondly, Does it have any thoroughfares that you will need to keep clear? Lastly, are there any features that cannot be moved? They might be a fireplace or existing windows, but they are all things that you can work around.
Once you have determined the space you are working with, it is time to consider how you and your family will use it now and in the future. Will you need a space to help your kids with their homework? Or a place for friends to sit while you prepare for a dinner party? Even the number of people you plan on cooking for could change the size of the appliances you need within your kitchen. It is worth thinking about now to ensure your kitchen suits your needs.
This information will help you choose the perfect kitchen layout based on the ideas below.
Galley kitchen layouts
A galley kitchen is the way to go if you have a smaller space. Although they are small spaces, they are still functional. A galley kitchen is also a great option if you have a straight walkway through your kitchen space, as it leaves the walkway free. Removing the doors to create open archways will make the space feel more open.
Ideally, the space for a galley kitchen should be between 3.5-5m long and 2.4m across. This is to make sure that there is enough room for a row of cabinetry along each wall with a suitable walkway in the middle.
It is better not to place your appliances along one wall in a galley kitchen. You can set your cooker and fridge/freezer on one wall with your sink on the other. This means you can separate the cooking and prep areas from the cleaning areas. Making your kitchen more effortless to use.
Galley kitchens can feel oppressive if there are wall-hung cabinets on both walls. As much as storage is essential in a kitchen, it is also crucial to make sure it is a pleasant place to be. Open shelves can be a great option in this case. They provide storage while making the space feel open.
An island kitchen layout
The most popular kitchen layout is one with an island. It makes fantastic use of space, gives the room a sense of place, and makes it much more social for everyone using it.
To effectively accommodate an island kitchen layout, you must have ample space. The smallest size of the island that will work is 1m square. This means the island will be big enough to accommodate a sink, hob, or any other appliances you would like to include. It is best to have 1.2m the whole way around the island to make sure that there is enough room for everyone to move around. If you want to add a breakfast bar to one side of the island, you must have an overhang of at least 30cm so that people have enough room to sit comfortably.
An island is a fantastic place to make a design statement in the room. You could paint it bolder than the cabinetry around the edge of the room or use a more decorative stone as the countertop. Both would make sure that the island is the statement in the room. You can also make a statement by hanging several pendant lights above the island. This will make sure it is well-lit while also creating a focal point.
One-wall kitchen layouts
A one-wall kitchen is the way to go if you are looking for a small, simple kitchen layout or a kitchen for an open-plan space that will help divide up the area. These are very similar to a galley kitchen and, in some cases, can include a small island.
If you have an open-plan space, it is important that you give space to the area that is most used. This may mean the kitchen will become smaller, but it will work for you overall. Storage can be more difficult in these situations, so using double-up appliances, such as a washer/dryer, is worth considering. Keeping the island clear from appliances can also be beneficial, as this will give you a larger countertop space.
Keeping all kitchen cabinets and worktops the same colour is better when working with a one-wall or open-plan kitchen. This will help to zone the space and give a visual divide to the kitchen area.
A U-shaped kitchen layout
A U-shaped kitchen is the most common layout because it can be used in many different configurations and sizes. It wraps around three walls of the room, so it is perfect to use if there are no walkways through the room that need to be kept clear.
U-shaped kitchens offer the most countertop space of all the kitchen layouts in this post. But with this, you will need to make sure that you plan out where all of your appliances are to make sure you not only maximise your countertop space but also make sure that the flow around the kitchen works for you when you are using it. To do this, think about how you will use the space. What do you need to reach for when standing at the stove or when preparing vegetables? Try to dedicate an area of the kitchen for these tasks with everything you need within easy reach.
As a U-shaped kitchen has so much storage, it is important to consider the finish of your cabinetry and ways to create visual interest within the space. This could be by reducing the number of wall cabinets you use or adding an eye-catching splashback or countertop. You could also use your appliances to create a focal point. A large fridge/freezer or detailed cooker hood will work well.
L-shaped kitchen layouts
Like a U-shaped kitchen, an L-shaped kitchen is a classic layout that works well in many different spaces. Instead of wrapping around three walls, this layout is against two, creating the L shape.
This layout makes creating the work triangle between the sink, cooker and fridge easy. This will make sure that using your kitchen will be effortless. However, it is best to make sure it is laid out correctly so you can get the maximum amount of countertop space. It is also important to make sure that you are thinking about the natural lighting source in an L-shaped kitchen. Putting the main wall with the most cabinetry opposite the natural light source is best. This will make sure that the space remains bright.
When looking at the storage you use in an L-shaped kitchen, it is best to vary it. Full-height cabinets, wall-hung cabinets, or shelving can all be used to create visual interest.
A peninsular kitchen
A peninsular kitchen layout is very similar to an L or U-shaped kitchen but with a section of cabinetry that does not sit against any of the walls. This is a beneficial layout if you have an open-plan space that needs to be divided or a walkway through the room that needs to be kept clear.
The peninsular is a perfect place for a breakfast bar. Not only is it a comfortable place to sit, but it will also divide up your space. This creates a space for friends to sit in the evening and for your children while doing homework. When not in use, the peninsular is the extra countertop space you can use as a serving table, as it can be accessed from both sides.
It is best to use wall cabinets only part of the way around the kitchen when using a peninsular layout, as it can be overwhelming. Wall cabinets or shelving on two walls, while having a window on the third wall, usually works well as this means that the peninsular is well-lit in the day. Treat it a little like an island and hang statement pendant lighting above to create a focal point.
This post has been full of kitchen layout ideas. You will have a good understanding of which will work for you and your space.
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