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5 Basic Kitchen Design Layouts

Couple in kitchen

 

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Remodeling a kitchen is sometimes a matter of updating appliances, countertops, and cabinets but other times the entire layout needs to be planned for better and more efficient flow. Partly defined by personal preference, the layout will be largely determined by the bones of your space, your lifestyle, and whether you use your kitchen to warm up takeout in the microwave, or as a workspace to prepare daily meals. While there are many other types of kitchen layouts, these five basic configurations can each be tweaked and adapted according to your needs, budget, and the constraints of your space.

Below is an overview of the most common kitchen layouts—including possible pros and cons for each—to help you plan your renovation or remodel.

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 in a very small kitchen and for an extremely large space. An open kitchen occupying the back wall of a space with a large central island floating in front of it is an example of a one-wall kitchen design.

From a chef’s perspective, a one-wall configuration is a less efficient working layout for a kitchen, especially in a larger space, because it requires many steps to get from point A to point B. If you are designing a one-wall kitchen, be conscious of grouping appliances in a way that facilitates basic functions around the oven, sink, and fridge, otherwise known as the kitchen triangle.

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 could be less efficient than other layouts

  • Limited space makes room for seating area unlikely

  • Homebuyers may find one-wall layouts less appealing

Corridor or Galley Kitchen Layout

galley kitchen is a long and narrow kitchen configuration with a central walkway. In this streamlined design, two walls facing each other have all of the kitchen services. A galley kitchen includes cabinetry, countertops, and appliances built along one wall, or a double galley configuration where those elements are lined up on opposite walls. When space is narrow and limited (such as in condos, small homes, and apartments), it's common to see the corridor or galley-style layout used as a practical solution.

A galley kitchen layout is usually open on both the remaining sides, allowing the kitchen to also serve as a pass-through corridor between other rooms and spaces. Otherwise, a self-contained galley kitchen might feature a window and sometimes a glass door at the far end to let in natural light. Or, one of the two remaining end walls may be walled off and have enough room to contain a small storage cart or a tiny cafe-style seating area.

You can also find galley kitchens in historic houses from the early 1900s that have kept their original floor plans and in homes that prioritize efficient living space. A galley kitchen is not very spacious because of its long and narrow shape. But some people prefer to keep the kitchen separate and self-contained rather than open as in more contemporary spaces.

Pros
  • Highly functional because it uses the classic kitchen triangle

  • Ample space for counters, cabinets, and storage

  • Keeps the kitchen hidden and separate from other spaces

Cons
  • Aisle is narrow and a tight fit for multiple cooks to use at once

  • Rarely includes a seating area

  • May impede traffic flow through the house

L-Shaped Kitchen Layout

The L-shaped kitchen is considered 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 is highly convenient and efficient for cooking. The layout is also extremely versatile and flexible. Having two sides open gives you plenty of options for adding a kitchen island or a table in a larger space, and keeps the design feeling open and airy in a smaller space. The only problem is the blind corner cabinet (both base and wall) in the L-configuration because the storage space is too deep for most people to comfortably access.

Pros
  • Uses the kitchen triangle

  • Offers more countertop space than galley and one-wall layouts

  • Best for adding a kitchen island because no cabinets constrict placement

  • Easier to include a table or other seating area within the kitchen

Cons
  • Endpoints of the kitchen triangle (i.e., from the range to the refrigerator) may be located far apart

  • Blind corner cabinets are very deep and make it difficult to reach in and access items

  • L-shaped kitchens may be viewed as too ordinary by some homebuyers

which kitchen layout is right for you illustration

The Spruce / Theresa Chiechi

U-Shaped Kitchen Design Layout

The U-shaped kitchen design plan is like a galley plan but not as narrow, and one end wall typically functions as space for countertops or kitchen appliances. The U-shaped kitchen is commonly found in large spaces that can accommodate built-in cabinetry, countertops, and appliances on three sides. The fourth side is commonly left open for maximum circulation in and out of the kitchen or may include a door in a smaller U-shaped kitchen.

In larger U-shaped kitchens with enough space, they are often outfitted with a freestanding island. In smaller U-shaped kitchen spaces, a short peninsula may be attached to one side to provide seating and extra counter space while leaving enough of a clearing for walking in and out of the kitchen.

However, you will need a wide and large space in a U-shaped kitchen to accommodate an island or seating area. 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. Without a proper layout and a good deal of closed storage, a U-shaped kitchen can feel cluttered.

Pros
  • Excellent workflow

  • Good use of kitchen triangle

  • Abundant closed storage

  • Potential for a short peninsula

Cons
  • Difficult to incorporate a kitchen island

  • May not be possible to have a seating area

  • Requires a lot of space

  • Can feel cluttered if not planned well

Open Plan

The open-plan kitchen has a less defined layout that is typically located within a larger living space and it is the opposite of a dedicated room closed off by walls and a door. An open-plan kitchen usually opens up into a family room. This type of kitchen has social advantages, allowing family and guests to hang out and mingle while the cook preps meals.

A well-designed open-plan kitchen promotes flow and natural light, but the lack of walls has built-in drawbacks to consider. Even with proper ventilation, cooking odors can permeate the rest of the living space. Noise from handling pots and pans and putting away dishes and other kitchen chores can be amplified in an open room. An open kitchen requires you to have the discipline to clean as you cook and to put things away since untreated kitchen mess will be visible and can’t be hidden behind a closed door.

Pros
  • Allows in abundant natural light

  • Traffic circulation flows well

  • Allows interaction with family and guests while cooking

  • Versatile and functional with plenty of storage

Cons
  • Cooking odors freely spread throughout the home

  • Noise from the kitchen travels through the house and can be disruptive

  • Kitchen messes are always visible

  • Provides little privacy