6 Types of Kitchen Design Layouts

April 8, 2013

Kitchen design layouts will determine where everything goes and how your kitchen functions. It’s important to get this foundational blueprint right before you do anything else. Common kitchen layouts tend to fall into two categories: U-shaped and L-shaped. But, there are others to consider. Here are a few types of kitchen design layouts to consider when thinking about the kitchen in your custom home:

1. U-Shaped Kitchen Layout

A U-shaped kitchen design consists of three sides arranged in a “u” or horseshoe shape. The open space or “mouth” of the kitchen often faces a dining or living area. This layout keeps your kitchen compact and functional.

Your appliances can be spaced evenly while still providing you with plenty of storage and countertop space. You can even have a breakfast bar! A U-shaped kitchen layout is a good design for smaller kitchens.

2. L-Shaped Kitchen Layout

The L-shaped kitchen consists of two walls or sides that are connected on one side to form an “L”. It is one of the most common and popular kitchen design layouts used.

It works well if your kitchen is next to your dining room or other open rooms and is a great fit for open concept floor plans. With an L-shaped kitchen layout, you have room to work and plenty of storage with under-the-counter cabinets.

3. Kitchen Islands

Kitchen islands are another popular addition to large U and L-shaped kitchens. There are many ways to use a kitchen island and benefits an island can provide. It can be used for food preparations with a cooktop and sink built into it, as a dining bar, or as more storage and prep space.

There are many benefits of kitchen islands. Even if you don’t necessarily have enough space for a permanent fixture, a moveable kitchen island is another option for smaller kitchens.

4. Galley Kitchens

Galley kitchens are characterized by kitchens that are contained between two walls with a walkway between them. These types of kitchens come in two distinct categories: single galley and two galley.

Single galley kitchens are a good fit for vacation homes and small apartments. It features all the important appliances and storage on one side. It is compact and saves space when there is little of it to begin with.

Two galley kitchens split the areas into two sides. This is handy if the kitchen connects to two rooms. It also provides plenty of storage space.

5. Peninsula Kitchens

A peninsula kitchen can be similar to a u-shaped or l-shaped kitchen layout, but it can also take on many shapes. What characterizes a peninsula kitchen is a connected kitchen island that is attached to another counter or wall and juts outward into a space. It’s often used to create a modern bar look and feel and also often gives a kitchen an asymmetrical look.

6. One-Wall Kitchens

A one-wall kitchen is where everything is located on one wall and the other three sides of the kitchen are open. In a one-wall kitchen layout, the major work areas, cabinets, countertops, and more are along one wall while the other sides of the kitchen usually often face living areas.

This type of kitchen layout can be a good fit for open concept designs, great rooms, and more. Because everything is placed on one wall, one-wall kitchens can also be a good fit for adding a kitchen island.

Choosing the right kitchen design layout is just one way to design your kitchen for entertaining or to create the perfect culinary oasis for your family. Once you decide on the kitchen design or layout, then you can get serious about picking out specific appliances, cabinets, countertops, floors, and other factors. It can also help you decide if you want a kitchen island and choose the right kitchen island size. Your dream kitchen will become a reality before you know it!

The kitchen is just one room in a custom home and it can be overwhelming to try and navigate the details alone. Partnering with a custom home builder that has an in-house design/build process can keep things easy and stress-free while ensuring you get the custom home you want. Contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090 to bring your dream home to life!