Pros and Cons of One-Wall Kitchens
October 5, 2021The kitchen is usually one of the busiest rooms in a home. This makes choosing the right kitchen layout in your custom home design essential for function and aesthetics. There are several kitchen layouts to consider and a one-wall kitchen is one of them. Here is what you need to know and some pros and cons of one-wall kitchens to help determine whether this is the right kitchen design layout for you:
What is a One-Wall Kitchen Layout?
A one-wall kitchen layout places everything along one wall and leaves the remaining three sides of the kitchen open. Cabinets, countertops, appliances, major work areas, etc. are all positioned on one wall in a one-wall kitchen.
The open sides usually face other living areas. One-wall kitchen layouts are popular options for open concept floor plans. They also often include a kitchen island because of the openness of the space.
Pros and Cons of One-Wall Kitchens
As with any type of kitchen layout, there are both pros and cons of one-wall kitchens. Here are some of the most common ones:
3 Pros of One-Wall Kitchens
One-wall kitchens can offer several benefits. Here are a few pros of one-wall kitchens:
1. One-Wall Kitchens Conserve Space
Because they consolidate the major kitchen elements to one area, one-wall kitchens tend to be smaller and take up less space than other kitchen layouts. This can be a great option for homeowners who do not need a huge kitchen and want to use that square footage in other ways. As part of a great room, this gives you more flexibility in the other spaces you want to create in the room.
2. They Cost Less Than Other Types of Layouts
Since one-wall kitchens have a simpler, more straightforward design and tend to be smaller, they also tend to cost less than other types of kitchen layouts. This allows you to allocate more budget to other areas of the home or upgrades that you may have had to forgo with a bigger or more complicated kitchen.
3. One-Wall Kitchens Can Help Create a Good Workflow
In addition to conserving space, one of the pros of a one-wall kitchen is that everything is within reach and easy to access. With all the major services within a few feet of each other, you don’t have to move very far to get what you need. This can help create a good, efficient workflow in a kitchen when one or two people are using it.
3 Cons of One-Wall Kitchens
There are also a few potential drawbacks to this type of kitchen layout. Here are some cons of one-wall kitchens:
1. One-Wall Kitchens Can Create a Busy Kitchen
With all the major elements of a kitchen on one wall, the kitchen can get busy and cramped if more than one or two people are trying to work in it. If you have a big family or need to design a kitchen for entertaining, a one-wall kitchen layout could make things difficult. This can also limit the functionality and flow of the kitchen because you need to make everything work in one specific area.
2. They Tend to Have a Lower Value
Because these kitchens are smaller and are limiting for large families, they tend to have a lower value. This type of kitchen layout may be less desirable to potential buyers and may add less to your home value than other kitchen layouts.
3. Storage Can be Limited in One-Wall Kitchens
With everything situated on one wall, storage space can be limited in a one-wall kitchen layout. Adding a kitchen island or a pantry of some kind can help add storage to your kitchen design if you think the cabinet storage available will not be enough.
There are also several types of kitchen pantries available and most of them are flexible and customizable. So, you can likely find a pantry that fits well into your kitchen design no matter your kitchen layout or style.
These are just a few pros and cons of one-wall kitchens. If it doesn’t seem like the right fit for you, there are several other types of kitchen design layouts to explore. An experienced custom home builder with an in-house design/build process can also help you work out the details and figure out the layout and look you want.
If you’re ready to bring your dream home to life, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090!