A beautiful kitchen is nice, but what if it doesn’t work for you and your family?
Since many people are preparing and eating meals at home more often, they’ve discovered that their magazine-ready kitchen doesn’t flow well and doesn’t have the storage space they need.
If this sounds like you, here’s a look at five kitchen layouts for an efficient and functional cooking space.
The Galley Kitchen
A galley kitchen layout consists of two parallel walls with a walkway between them – like a ship’s galley. It’s most commonly used in small spaces and is a cost-effective option. The galley kitchen makes cooking easy since everything is close by.
It’s easy for the galley kitchen layout to feel small or closed in, so we recommend using light colors to make the space feel larger. Adding a pass-through window could be something to consider so the space won’t feel so isolating.
The Peninsula Kitchen
Another great option for a kitchen that is on the smaller side is the peninsula kitchen. With this layout, there’s an extended counter that’s attached to the main kitchen space.
The peninsula is a great place to make a breakfast bar where your family can grab a quick bite to eat before rushing out the door. It’s also a good idea to include pull-out drawers on the lower cabinets to create more storage.
The L-Shaped Kitchen
The L-shaped kitchen is one of the most popular kitchen layouts. Here, the countertops and appliances are placed along two perpendicular walls, leaving a large, open space for a kitchen island or dining table. The L-shaped kitchen is a very versatile kitchen layout and works well in open-concept spaces.
People love the L-shaped kitchen because it allows for easy access to everything you need and allows the cook to interact with guests and family members. If storage is an issue in your home, we recommend including a lazy Susan or pull-out shelves in your corner cabinets to maximize that space.
The U-Shaped Kitchen
If you have the space for a larger kitchen, the U-shaped layout is an excellent option. With this layout, you have countertops on three sides, making it easy to create designated zones so multiple people can work in the kitchen at the same time. For example, you could have a coffee bar on one side of the kitchen and a breakfast prep spot on the other.
Since the U-shaped kitchen can be so spread out, one tip we have to optimize functionality is to place the sink, stove, and refrigerator close to each other. That way, you won’t carry items all over the kitchen and risk spills or extra messes.
The Island
The kitchen island layout has been trendy for the last ten-plus years. This layout maximizes space by allowing the sink or appliances to be located within the island instead of taking up counter space. It’s also a great option for those who like to entertain since you can place food and drink on the island, doubling as a gathering spot.
The island kitchen layout is versatile and can work in large or small spaces. Whether you need a work-from-home station or more space to prepare food and baked goods, the possibilities are endless when it comes to the kitchen island.
Choosing the best kitchen layout for your space and needs is as important as selecting fun things like colors and materials. Whether you’re looking for a spacious kitchen with more than enough storage to store all of your kitchen gadgets and goodies, or you’re just trying to make the best of a small space, we are here to help. Let’s get in touch to talk about your current kitchen and how it can be improved.
