5 Of The Most Popular Kitchen Layouts

The kitchen has always been the heart of the home, and it still is today. For many people, a kitchen isn’t simply a space to prepare food. Rather, it’s a place for family and friends to come together and spend quality time with one another. So, in creating this space, you’ll want to find a kitchen layout that matches or needs and creates the right kind of space for you. 

Designing a new kitchen is a fun and exciting experience. However, it also comes with numerous choices. However, the first and most important should be “What kitchen layout are you going to choose?” To help you with this, we’ve put together a list of the five most popular kitchen layouts. With these on hand to inspire you, you’ll be crafting your dream cooking space in no time. 

Planning your kitchen layout

Before we show you the top five kitchen layouts, you need to have an understanding of kitchen ergonomics. To ensure your cooking environment works for and accommodates you, you need to keep the “work triangle” in mind. 

Basically, the kitchen work triangle helps ensure that your kitchen space is efficient, creating a path between the three main areas of the kitchen – the food prep, cleaning, and food storage areas. The kitchen triangle goes into far more depth, but if you have a designer helping you out, you won’t need to fuss over this. 

Top 5 kitchen layouts

Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for. Here are the top five kitchen layouts to consider installing in your kitchen. Whether you have a big or small space, one of these layouts will work for you. 

1.The L-shaped kitchen layout

As the name suggests, this kitchen layout consists of cabinets and countertops lined along two perpendicular walls. This layout is incredibly versatile and creates an open kitchen space. 

The only thing to remember with this layout is that there needs to be sufficient space between the three workspaces (the stove, sink, and fridge). If you think you’ll need more storage space, consider installing a walk-in pantry. 

2. The Galley kitchen 

Inspired by the classic galley kitchens found on ships, this layout consists of a single row of cabinets and countertops running along the length of one wall. The double galley would have another row running parallel. 

This layout is ideal for those who have a small, narrow kitchen. However, you can also adapt it to an open-plan kitchen by adding a kitchen island between the wall units. 

When implementing this layout, there are a few things to keep in mind. Installing too many wall cabinets can make your kitchen feel overcrowded and cluttered, rather install less to make the kitchen feel bigger. Also, to create a larger space, use lighter tones in your colour palette. Lastly, be sure to keep the kitchen work triangle proportioned with large appliances on opposite walls.

3. U-shaped kitchen layout 

This is another great layout if you have a large kitchen space. With countertops lining all three walls, you’ll have ample storage space. Do keep in mind that having upper cabinets along all three walls may be overpowering, making the space feel closed off. 

However, you can easily rectify this by only installing upper cabinets on two of the three walls. Using open, floating shelves or focal tiles on one wall is another great way to keep the space open. 

4. The Island kitchen layout 

An island countertop has possibly become the most sought-after kitchen feature today and it’s easy to see why. Not only does it create a focal point in your kitchen, but it provides extra prep space, storage and serves as the perfect spot for families to come together and spend quality time with one another. 

When incorporating this feature, it’s always a good idea to install other kitchen amenities such as a prep sink, wine fridge, or recycling bin. You will want to make sure that you have enough space surrounding the island, so try to have a minimum of one meter between the island and other counter spaces. 

5. The Peninsula kitchen layout 

Last, but certainly not least, there’s the peninsula style layout. This layout is similar to the u-shaped kitchen layout, but the difference is that it has a counter that juts out from the cabinetry – almost like a connected island. 

This layout is great if you want to create division between the kitchen and dining area, so as the cook, you can still chat with your family and friends while preparing dinner.