6 New Kitchen Layouts You Can Try During Your Remodel
Kitchen Layouts You Need to Check Out
When remodeling your home, you should be able to understand the different types of popular layouts you can use to give your kitchen a new look!
A kitchen renovation can not only increase the value of your home, but it can bring a new level of functionality and enable you to make cooking an even more joyful experience.
It’s exciting to start with a blank slate when remodeling a kitchen. But that can be overwhelming too.
A good way to wrap your head around the mystery of kitchen renovations and decide where to begin is by understanding the different types of kitchen layouts.
Read about the 6 most popular kitchen layouts before designing your new kitchen.
One-Wall
If you have a studio or loft space, then a one-wall kitchen will provide you with the most space.
This small kitchen design, originally called the Pullman Kitchen, is the ultimate space saver. All cabinets and appliances are placed along a single wall.
Many modern one-wall designs also include an island. This small kitchen design does, however, allow for open-plan living. So even though it’s designed for one cook at a time, your entire home can feel open and inviting.
Typically, a one-wall kitchen has the fridge on one end with the sink next to it. The oven and range can then be set on the opposite side. Countertops are set in between and either side of the range, with a dishwasher and cabinets below.
The amount of upper cabinets and shelving depends on the lighting and your preferences.
You can also get creative with an island if you choose to include one. An island can add additional storage and prep space and provide seating.
Galley
A galley kitchen layout makes the best use of space, so it’s ideal if you need a small kitchen design. Sometimes called the walk-through, a galley kitchen has two parallel walls with a walkway in between.
Because the galley layout is usually enclosed, it doesn’t include a dining area, so it’s not the most sociable arrangement. However, it’s optimal for cooking, and most professional chefs prefer a galley kitchen.
A galley kitchen layout can either be symmetrical, with both sides evenly distributed, or asymmetrical, for instance with tall cabinets and the fridge on one side, and only low cabinets and appliances on the other.
The length of each side of the galley doesn’t need to be the same either.
One of the nice things about a galley kitchen is that they don’t have corner cabinets.
L-Shape
If you want to utilize two perpendicular connecting walls, then an L-shaped kitchen is a good choice.
It maximizes corner space, and it’s a smart layout for any size kitchen, although if you have a larger kitchen, you may want to consider a U-Shape or Peninsula.
The size of the L depends on how much area you have for your kitchen. Typically each leg is less than 15 feet to maximize efficiency and for ease of cooking.
An L-shaped design is great for an open plan and eliminates traffic because it’s not designed as a thoroughfare. With this kitchen layout, it’s easy to add dining space to an island.
This layout also allows for the most versatility. You can get creative with not only the layout but incorporating a unique flare, such as alternating cabinet features and colors, or featuring new fixtures and appliances.
U-Shape
The U-Shape, or horseshoe, kitchen layout has three walls of cabinets and appliances. Sometimes an island acts as a third wall, with the other two walls formed by an L-shape.
With this design, you can have an optimal function in mind. For instance, having the dishwasher to one side of the sink and a recycling bin or trash compactor on the other side makes sense.
This kitchen design is optimal if you have more than one cook in the kitchen at a time, and allows for ease of traffic. The layout offers options for different workspaces, presenting a communal living space.
Peninsula
A peninsula kitchen has a connected island. The kitchen layout converts an L-shaped layout into a horseshoe. Another option is to turn a horseshoe kitchen into a G-shaped design.
With so much space, it’s important to keep your work triangle in mind. If the sum of all the legs is less than 10 feet or greater than 25 feet, it’s going to be difficult to cook efficiently.
Peninsulas offer more clearance in kitchens that don’t have the square footage for a separate island. It can add storage, countertops, and seating, like an island, but attached to a wall might offer more walk-around space.
Island
An island can turn a one-wall kitchen into galley or an L-shape kitchen into a horseshoe. It can even be added to a U-shape. It’s the number one addition to most kitchen layouts.
A kitchen island can include appliances and cabinetry for storage, and of course, it adds an additional work surface. By adding stools, it can provide a place to eat.
Some people choose to include a sink for added food prep, and many islands include a wine cooler.
Kitchen islands are incredibly functional. However, it’s important to decide if an island will provide the most space without obstructing the flow of traffic between the sink, appliances or workstations.
An island should be large enough for your needs, but also have room for people to move and work around it. If you have a smaller kitchen that isn’t at least 8 feet deep and 12 feet long, then a kitchen island probably isn’t the best choice.
Decisions on Kitchen Layouts
When deciding which kitchen layouts are best, it’s a good idea to think about design features, like countertops, backsplash, and cabinetry.
However, before that is even decided, the layout should be designed by considering costs, how much space you have to work with, who will be using the kitchen and how many workspaces you need.
All of these questions and more should be answered before any home renovation.
Play around with different options with an online layout designer, and the right one for your home will likely pop out.
For more great design ideas, visit our blog. Or, contact us for a consultation!