Are you making plans to remodel your kitchen? Your current cabinet layout may work well – or you might be ready to rethink your space and design a new cabinet layout. Before you immerse yourself in cabinet style and color choices, give some attention to the cabinet layout. You want to optimize your new kitchen’s function and efficiency with a cabinet layout that complements your lifestyle.
What are the different types of kitchen layouts?
There are five basic kitchen layouts:
No matter what layout you choose, the most crucial feature for an efficient kitchen is a good “working triangle.” The working triangle lines out key areas for food preparation, storage, cooking, and cleaning. Your sink and major appliances should fall within this triangle so you can perform kitchen tasks smoothly, without taking too many steps to get from one work area to the next. Kitchen designers recommend a working triangle layout with sides that are 4 to 9 feet in length.
Five kitchen cabinet layouts
Galley kitchen
The galley kitchen is narrow and long, perfect for smaller or rectangular spaces. Kitchen cabinets run along two parallel walls. A galley kitchen easily accommodates one cook moving from one workstation to the next.
L-shaped kitchen
The L-shaped kitchen layout works well for smaller to medium-sized kitchens. This cabinet layout features continuous counter space along two adjoining perpendicular walls to form the L. In this kitchen design, the working triangle legs can be a little longer; the best case for efficiency is two to three steps between working areas.
U-shaped kitchen
The U-shaped kitchen layout is great for larger kitchens. In a U-shaped kitchen, you can set aside specific working areas without much overlap. Two cooks can easily work in this kitchen, handling different tasks, and the serious solo cook will love the ample workspace. The U-shaped kitchen layout presents challenges if you like to entertain in-kitchen, as it’s more challenging to separate prep and cooking functions from where you present the fruits of your labors.
G-shaped kitchen
The G-shaped kitchen layout suits a larger kitchen well. The G-shaped layout starts with U-shape and adds a peninsula or partial fourth wall. If you have space, an additional set of cabinets with a countertop make entertaining easy. When there are often two cooks busy in the kitchen simultaneously, the G-shaped design layout is the answer.
One-wall kitchen
The one-wall kitchen layout is a classic small-kitchen solution. The work triangle in this kitchen is flat but still efficient, with just a few steps between work areas. Pay particular attention to appliance placement so that appliance doors open away from the main action. For example, the refrigerator door should open away from the sink and storage area – not into it – to avoid impeding workflow. If there’s enough space, add an island or storage cabinet with a countertop and seating to boost the functionality of your one-wall kitchen.
How do you determine the best kitchen layout for your needs?
The best kitchen design layout is the one that serves the way you typically cook, accommodates the storage you need, and supports additional functions like entertaining and work.
If you and your family are enthusiastic home cooks, you’ll want cabinets that are easy to maintain and clean. If you often bake, countertop space and ample storage rule the day. Talk over your cooking habits with your kitchen designer to arrive at a layout that’s right for your needs.
Storage is always a hot topic in kitchen design. If you like to entertain, work at the countertop, or bake and cook regularly, you need plenty of storage. Especially when you use the kitchen for more than just cooking, you want to plan for dedicated storage for small appliances. Then it’s easy to pull them out to use them and then tuck them away to keep surfaces clear the rest of the time.
Properly designed storage will help you organize the tools you use most. You can preserve the easy access cabinets for the special-occasion serving pieces you love, even if you only pull them out occasionally. Talk over how you dream about using – and living in – your kitchen with your designer. The designer can help separate work areas and design smooth transitions so that your busy kitchen heads off chaos when many activities are going on at once.
That working triangle is first and foremost in your layout. The next priority is the appliances and cabinets of the highest quality that are built to last. Many busy kitchens favor stainless steel appliances because of their good looks and durability and because they are easy to clean and maintain.
When you choose premium cabinets, you gain peace of mind knowing that they will be durable and beautiful for a long time. Be sure to ask about specific cabinet finishes that are easier to maintain, such as thermofoil. Thermofoil adds an extra layer of protection over all-plywood cabinets that is beautiful and relatively maintenance-free.
How do I design my kitchen layout?
By far, the easiest route to a new kitchen layout is to simply update the current footprint. When you work with an expert kitchen cabinet designer, this is a straightforward process. To get started, your designer needs measurements for your current kitchen.
If changing the layout is the right answer, your kitchen designer can help you think through your working triangle and then place the electrical and plumbing elements accordingly. Keep in mind that moving utilities are one of the most expensive aspects of kitchen remodeling. If you can find a way to stick within your current footprint, you have more to spend on cabinets, accessories, or updated appliances.
Ready to find the best kitchen cabinet layout for your kitchen?
When you work with Simply Kitchens, you work with an expert kitchen designer at no additional charge. Our interior designers are professionally trained in both cabinet design and function to help you create the kitchen of your dreams. Choose from an extensive selection of framed or frameless cabinets to arrive at your preferred kitchen style: traditional, modern, or transitional. Reserve your consultation with one of our kitchen designers today to get started on your kitchen renovation.