There are many factors to take into account when choosing a kitchen layout for your needs and space. It’s a decision that should be carefully considered, as the perfect layout will help to maximise and complement your space, whilst making time in your kitchen enjoyable.
Choosing the perfect layout for your Kitchen takes into account many factors. You should carefully consider which layout will compliment your space to make the kitchen as enjoyable and practical as possible. The most important factor is often the shape of the room and the positioning of the doors and windows in relation to the kitchen. Secondly, the number of appliances that require incorporating into the design and how much usable workspace is required for your everyday kitchen life.
Your KTF appointed Kitchen specialist will be able to talk you through the options for your individual space, but if you need inspiration for the time being, let us take you through the five most popular kitchen layouts, the benefits they can bring to your space, and the room sizes/shapes they are best suited to:
U-Shaped Kitchen
This layout is best suited to those with a medium sized space, this design can be impractical in a larger space as the work stations can end up being too far apart and the extra units can take up too much floor surface in some smaller kitchens.
A U-Shaped kitchen is perfectly designed to be both practical and efficient, having worktops on three sides enables smooth food preparation, the opportunity to have appliances within a practical proximity of each other and an array of storage possibilities.
If you have an open plan kitchen and living area, a U-Shaped kitchen can be perfect for defining your family space from the kitchen area, whilst still allowing for socialising across the two with the use of a peninsular worktop.
L-Shaped Kitchen
An L-Shape kitchen is practical, uninterrupted and works effectively in any sized kitchen, leaving open floor space that creates the illusion of a bigger room- perfect for smaller footprints.
An L-Shaped kitchen is a classic design that never dates. The layout utilises two walls of a room for a continuous flow of worktops and cabinets in an ‘L shape’, taking note of exit/entry points and windows.
The design is also perfect for open-plan living, with the valuable central area free for a kitchen island, dining table, or a family living space in a larger room. This makes it highly practical for every day family life and the ideal kitchen layout for entertaining.
Kitchen Island
Aesthetically pleasing and practical, the kitchen island trend is here to stay.
This plan, which is more suited to medium to large sized kitchens, often uses the open floor space available from an Galley or L Shape layout to incorporate a central kitchen island. It also offers the perfect opportunity to segment work areas, allowing you to keep food preparation separate from dining space or worktop appliances.
The island can include an integrated breakfast bar or double-up as a dining area with enough seating for the whole family, can include your hob or sink, or can be used to house other integrated appliances, such as a wine cooler or dishwasher.
In terms of your kitchen’s appearance, an island is a great opportunity to experiment with a two-tone colour scheme, or to mix-up materials with a contrasting work surface.
Galley Kitchen
A Galley kitchen is a single line of cabinets, utilising one wall of a room, often long and narrow. This design makes for a modern, streamlined and functional space with great accessibility.
This layout is suited to almost any kitchen size, allowing for an island or dining table in a larger space, and leaving floor space free in a smaller kitchen for moving around with ease.
The sink and cooking area must be separated on the worktops, which can cause an issue for some smaller kitchens, but if your room allows it then this layout can supply a great amount of food preparation space and easy access storage possibilities.
The Double Galley
With cabinets running the length of two opposite walls, a double galley kitchen shares the benefits of a galley kitchen, whilst increasing storage space, worktops and space to integrate appliances.
A double galley can be perfect for any sized kitchen (dependent on the individual space) as it can allow for a dining table or island in a large kitchen, or can help incorporate more storage and workspace into a smaller kitchen, whilst still allowing people to walk the length of the room.
Tip: Plinth lighting and illuminated, glazed wall cabinets can help to open up the scheme and create a spacious feel.
