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Kitchen layouts ideas


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(Image credit: Tom Howley )

Looking to remodel and need new kitchen layout ideas? This professional design advice will help you make the most of your kitchen floor space. 

Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, and you can be spoilt for choice with kitchen layouts and formation options when starting out on a project. The key is to take things slowly, and think carefully about how you use and move within the space. 

Also consider how you see your family might use the room in the future. It may be all about food prep now. But down the line, it may need to double as place to finish homework, a 'teaching area' where your kids learn to bake, or a sophisticated entertaining spot.  

Practicality is key for kitchen ideas when it comes to the best kitchen layout, and the shape you select should be able not only to accommodate your lifestyle, but enhance it. We've got plenty of food for thought, so go ahead and dive into our layout options.

Kitchen layout ideas

Our guide will explore all the key kitchen layout ideas, but first, clue yourself up on the six types of kitchen layouts that will likely form the base of your space...

What are the six types of kitchen layouts?

There are six key kitchen layouts: 

1. Let your habits dictate the layout

(Image credit: Harvey Jones)

'Every aspect of the kitchen, how it works and how it is used is based around the layout,' says Sally Hinks, kitchen designer at Harvey Jones. 'When starting to plan a kitchen, the first thing you must think about is how you're going to be using the space, as this will dictate what you need to include. Is your kitchen purely for cooking or will you be entertaining, too?

'Will the space be used as a working from home spot or will the kids be doing their homework in there? It's also important to look at the existing features of the room. In many cases, doors, thoroughfares and windows set the parameters of the layout out and guide suitable options. Many people like to situate their kitchen to make the most of a lovely view outside or to take center-stage in an open plan space, which can be a useful starting point.'

2. Think: practicality

(Image credit: Benjamin Johnston Design)

'The main thing to keep in mind during the layout planning process is practicality,' says Sally Hinks. 'Think carefully about which parts of the kitchen you're gong to be using the most from a cooking perspective and how easily you can move between them. Use the kitchen triangle method as a guide and focus on the refrigerator, sink and cooker as the core elements when mapping out your space.' 

For more guidance, see our exploration that answers the question, where should a refrigerator be placed? 

3. Use the galley layout for space efficiency

(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)

Galley kitchens are one of the most space-efficient layouts you can choose. They are ideal for keen cooks, and perfect for maximizing storage and work surface space in smaller kitchens. This super-efficient layout is ideal if you are looking for small kitchen ideas that maximize every inch of space.

Allison Lynch, of kitchen design company Roundhouse , says: 'A galley kitchen usually occupies a relatively small space – they are often a walkway between two rooms. An ideal length would be 3.5 – 5m with space either side of the door opening to allow at least a standard depth countertop. 

'Although they tend to be quite small, they are very ergonomic spaces with everything usually within arms' reach – with, ideally, the sink one side and the hob on the other.' 

Placing these two important elements centrally within each run of units is the best approach, with the dishwasher on the sink side of the run and the refrigerator on the side of the hob.

4. Share your space with a U-shaped layout

(Image credit: Amanda Evans Interiors)

U-shaped kitchens are an ultra-practical option. They are comprised of countertops on three connecting sides, allowing plenty of room for cooking. 

It's one of the most efficient layouts to have in both small and open plan homes alike, and the easiest way to achieve the ergonomic triangle that is so often talked about in kitchen design – where your fridge, cooker and sink are all within easy reach of one another.

It also easily allows for two cooks in the kitchen at once for a team dinner-making effort.

Allison Lynch says: 'U-shaped kitchen ideas work best in spaces ideally from 3 – 3.5m, but remember that the bigger the space the more crossing the room you have to do.'

Larger kitchens can often accommodate the addition of a central island, too, like in this example by Amanda Evans Interiors . With plenty of room for cabinetry and built-in appliances around the edge, the island provides a casual seating area and additional preparation space.

5. Love your corners with an L-shaped layout

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)

The most common layout is some sort of L-shape, with at least one straight run. The classic design uses two adjoining walls of a room to allow a continuous flow of worktops and cabinets. 

The central area is kept free, so you can enjoy a spacious feel or add an island for extra worktop space and storage.

'L-shaped kitchens are a classic, timeless design,' say the team at Magnet. 'And the open floor space it creates allows the kitchen to be accessible from any angle.'

6. Create distinct zones with an island layout

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)

Large kitchens and big families can really benefit from utilizing kitchen island ideas to add extra storage and preparation space. 

Multi-use spaces are increasingly sought after, and an island can be used to prepare dinner while also keeping an eye on the kids, as well as doubling up as a socialising area, work space, or homework desk.

'The benefit of an island layout is that it is great for zoning in open plan areas, which is what most people opt for today,' says Roundhouse's Allison Lynch. 'It’s a good piece of social furniture and effectively creates two different spaces, one for cooking and one for prep, with one person at the island and the other at the worktop. 

'Another big benefit in an open plan space is that an island can be made to look more like a piece of furniture.

'An island allows free movement all the way around, and people can enter the space from different directions. It can feel less monolithic, a much lighter piece of furniture than a peninsula, and with judicious use of plinth lighting it can be made to look like it is floating.'

7. Use a peninsula to disrupt a thoroughfare

(Image credit: Future / Manolo Yllera)

A kitchen island is wonderful, but if it will create a natural passage through the cooking space from one area to another, such as from the hallway through the kitchen into a garden, a peninsula may be a better choice.

'Consider alternatives to a kitchen island, even if you have space,' advises Homes & Gardens' associate editor Busola Evans. 'A peninsula, for instance, can provide many of the benefits of an island without interrupting the cooking workflow.'

8. Choose an L-shaped layout for a party kitchen

(Image credit: Marlaina Teich Designs/Patrick Cline)

If your kitchen tends to be the life and soul of the party, choose a layout that will accommodate abundant entertaining. The open nature of an L-shaped kitchen means lots of space for guests to gather in the opposite side of the kitchen to where the units are based. 

As demonstrated in this home with interior design by Marlaina Teich , it is also a great choice for kitchen diner ideas, and open plan spaces that merge into a living area. This kitchen boasts a dining area off one side and a living room off another – the L-shaped layout keeps the kitchen neatly tucked in one corner, while the added island provides connection to the other spaces. 

9. Consider appliances early in your layout plans

(Image credit: Harvey Jones)

'Another factor that will affect your kitchen layout is the type of appliances and tall cabinetry you want to incorporate,' says kitchen designer Sally Hinks. Tall cabinetry and appliances look strongest standing alone or on the end of a cabinet run, so this can dictate potential layouts during the initial stage.'

10. Make the most of a small space

(Image credit: Harvey Jones)

'When designing small kitchen layouts, choose your appliances wisely,' says kitchen designer Sally Hinks. 'Any large appliances such as washer dryers that can multi-task are worth considering. Furthermore, integrating appliances wherever possible will open up the space visually and create cleaner lines. Smaller appliances such as coffee makers and microwaves can be housed in cabinets to free up valuable countertop space, keep surfaces clear from bulky devices and create a more minimal aesthetic.'

11. Make the most of natural light in small kitchens

(Image credit: Emily J Followill/Beth Webb Interiors)

Galley kitchen styles may be great for small spaces and ergonomically sound for keen cooks, but they can have a reputation for being a little dark and pokey. To counter this predicament, be sure to make the most of any natural light coming into the space when planning a kitchen. 

In this example with interiors by Beth Webb , a window at the short end of the galley has been extended to stretch from floor to ceiling. The window on the right hand side is free from the constraints of upper level cupboards, meaning that light can travel freely into the rest of the kitchen. 

12. Create a ‘Chef’s Table’ experience with a long island 

(Image credit: Richard Felix-Ashman Design/Aaron Leitz)

For serious foodies, cooking and serving dinner is the main event, especially when entertaining guests with equally strong culinary inclinations. Upgrade your island’s seating area from a casual breakfast bar to a full-blown dining area, by choosing a larger-than-life island that can accommodate a dinner party. 

Bringing guests into the kitchen space can help create a unique ‘Chef’s Table’ experience, as demonstrated in this stunning kitchen in a bar conversion by Richard Felix-Ashman . A large kitchen for entertaining, it also hosts two dining tables for when you want to give a more intimate feeling to a gathering. 

13. Bring personality to an open-plan space

(Image credit: Future/Polly Eltes)

'Open-plan kitchens can easily feel disjointed if the different areas aren't carefully linked,' explains kitchen designer Sally Hinks. 'Kitchen islands and peninsulas are a good choice to bring the kitchen out into the room, while accommodating seating areas within an island is a great way of tying dining areas and kitchen spaces together.'

14. Keep kitchen layouts simple to enhance space

(Image credit: Ginny Macdonald/Sara Tramp)

'Using light kitchen color ideas and mirrored backsplashes will open up spaces,' says Allison Lynch. 'Keep things simple. In galley kitchens in particular, keep tall cupboards for dry food storage and the fridge to the ends of the room, and perhaps limited to one side but not both.

'Too many details will crowd the space – keep to simple clean lines and lose the clutter. '

15. Pick storage that's truly ergonomic

(Image credit: Neptune)

Never underestimate the importance of good kitchen storage ideas. Nerine Vacher, kitchen designer at Neptune Fulham in London, advises: 'Effective storage is one of the simplest ways to create a happy and homely kitchen. 

'By including a single piece of furniture, like our Suffolk larder (above), a bi-fold cabinet, or even an island, you can completely transform your kitchen, by creating more surface space and keeping clutter out of sight.'

H&G's Busola Evans adds: 'Ensure your bottom units are drawers rather than cabinets. Deep drawers are a more efficient use of space and give easier access to items at the back.'

16. Consider the second work triangle, too

(Image credit: Rikki Snyder)

'I've moved house seven times – and designed seven new kitchens for myself,' says H&G's Editor in Chief Lucy Searle. 'Plus, I've interviewed countless kitchen designers over the years, both for my kitchen remodels, and professionally.  

'In time, I've realised that there's a second kitchen work triangle that no one talks about overtly – but it's really important.

'The second kitchen work triangle is between the kitchen sink, the bin(s) and the dishwasher. These three elements need to be as close to one another as possible to make tidying up after dinner as easy as possible. You want to scrape plates, rinse them and stack them all in one easy move, without pacing up and down the length of the kitchen. 

'If you can ensure that the dining area is towards that end of the kitchen when planning its layout, too, you'll find it makes life even easier.'

17. Work out storage zones

(Image credit: Martin Moore)

When planning your kitchen layout, one key aspect is to consider how you want to use the kitchen and where you want items to be stored. 

Naturally, heavy pots and pans should be kept in lower cabinets, and within easy reach of your oven and hob. 

Likewise, mugs should never be too far away from your kettle. In this open plan kitchen, the dining table is in the same space as the kitchen area, so the addition of a tall dresser provides storage for crockery and cutlery, to make laying the table quick and easy.

18. Put in a pantry

(Image credit: Sustainable Kitchens)

Larder or pantry ideas separated from the rest of your kitchen can help keep things clear and tidy, as they are an ideal space to keep store cupboard staples and baking equipment. 

In this barn conversion project, the ceilings were low and natural light was limited, so a walk-in pantry was designed by Sustainable Kitchens . It has internal windows and under-counter cabinets only, so that it feels bright and connected to the rest of the kitchen. Automatic lighting makes it extra bright inside.

19. Maximize storage and workspace

(Image credit: Burbridge Kitchens)

Most L-shaped kitchens are fitted onto adjacent walls of a room, creating a practical corner design. They provide plenty of work surface as well as storage, though be mindful of where the two runs of cabinetry meet – the addition of pull-out drawers or an internal carousel will help to avoid wasting useful storage space.  

Consider keeping wall cabinets to one side of an L-shaped layout, opting for open shelving on the other so as not to make the room feel overcrowded. If space allows, you could add a dining table.

20. Use your alcoves

(Image credit: Tom Howley)

You are likely to inherit some unusual nooks in older country properties, so taking a flexible approach to your kitchen design may be necessary. 

Look for alcoves and recesses that you can build storage into and toss out the idea of a conventional fixed layout. Add single runs of cabinetry wherever they fit best in the space you have to work with, incorporating your appliances in between. 

To add to this flexible approach, go for a portable kitchen island or freestanding island design – units on legs open up the amount of floor space on show and can be moved around if needed, too. 

21. Build banquette seating

(Image credit: Martin Moore )

Banquette seating ideas mean you can fit more seating into the available space when it is built in to the design of your kitchen.

The fitted, upholstered benches not only provide storage beneath, but are a clever way to hide any unsightly wires or pipework. ‘These are a necessary evil that may have to be boxed in to be concealed,’ says Daniela Condo, designer at Life Kitchens . ‘See if services can be re-routed inside bulkheads, voids or under the plinth of the kitchen.’

22. Enjoy layout flexibility with freestanding furniture

(Image credit: Sebastian Cox X deVOL)

Often found in rustic-style homes, free-standing furniture offers a more flexible approach to kitchen design. It’s a relaxed look, enabling you to add single runs of cabinets around the kitchen to create your ideal layout, incorporating your appliances in between. 

This mix-and-match method works particularly well in older, country-style properties where the room may be unusually shaped. Paired with complementary wall-hung cabinets, a run of wooden free-standing cabinets will provide ample storage for small kitchens, as seen in this example by deVOL .

(Image credit: Harvey Jones)

A kitchen-diner layout is ideal for busy family households, where both the cooking and dining zones sit within the same design. 

‘When planning a kitchen, take inspiration from the existing features in the room, such as doors, thoroughfares and windows,’ says Sally Hinks, kitchen designer at Harvey Jones. ‘Looking at these elements will help you site the table in the best possible position.’

24. Go with the flow

(Image credit: Naked Kitchens)

‘Always walk through the plan in your mind to ensure it flows well and works efficiently, making sure that you can easily and fully access appliances so there are no pinch points,’ says Jayne Everett, creative director of Naked Kitchens . 

‘If you go for an island, make sure there’s enough space around it to pass through and open cabinets,’ she adds. It’s the well-planned, seamless flow around the U-shaped layout and the double-ended island that makes this kitchen design work well.

25. Make the most of a large kitchen

(Image credit: Magnet)

It’s easy to be spoilt for choice when considering kitchen layout ideas for a large area, but don’t overlook one of the most popular layouts, the U-shape, which can be the perfect match for a generously sized kitchen. 

To suit the open space, this particular layout is comprised of worktops on three connecting sides to allow for ample room for cooking. This design – by Magnet – is created for high efficiency cooking and accommodates the ‘working triangle’ perfectly, meaning you can easily move between the three key cooking components, sink, oven and refrigerator. 

This kitchen layout encourages smooth food preparation, plenty of practical storage space and allows two chefs to be operating at once, making mealtimes a real team effort. It also incorporates a peninsula breakfast bar idea, so visitors aren't excluded from the action.

26. Include an island in a different color

(Image credit: LochAnna Kitchens)

With open plan living proving increasingly popular, islands today come in a range of styles, functions and sizes to suit your space. Offering the possibility of extra room for 
both cooking and seating, they can help turn a kitchen into the hub of the home. 

To make an island the focal point, choose one in a different color from the rest of your cabinetry, as shown in this traditional kitchen design that combines earthy brown and off-white. 

The length of this island allows a variety of different elements to be included, including a sink and ample storage.

27. Create the heart of a family kitchen

(Image credit: Future plc / Darren Chung)

To tie a family kitchen together, the addition of an island can be the final piece to the puzzle. Usually suited to medium-to-large sized kitchen layout ideas, an island can contribute valuable extra storage and worktop space that’s so sought after by large families. 

When prepping meals at the island, parents can keep one eye on dinner and one on the kids, too. Then in the evenings it can transform into a dining table or even an office and homework club, offering the family a place to catch up and congregate, like the multi-purpose island in this stylish grey kitchen.

(Image credit: Future)

If your U-shape is more generous, it's worth sticking to the work triangle principle as closely as possible, but ensuring the three important elements are grouped on just two sides of the kitchen, with the third side given over to kitchen storage. 

'If your kitchen's third side is an island, like the one above, storing cutlery, plates, china – in fact any items use use for dining – is the best option,' advises Homes and Gardens' Editor in Chief Lucy Searle. 

'If you are keen, unflappable cooks who like to entertain regularly, having the hob on that unit with the cookware you need below will also work brilliantly – and be much more sociable.'

To avoid any costly kitchen design mistakes, the first step is to think carefully about how you move within the space and how you see your family using the room in the future – and this is where the well-known kitchen work triangle comes into play.

'The "work triangle" is the common sense principle that a kitchen plan revolves around the location of the sink, cooker and fridge and that the kitchen plan should be based on the most efficient workflow using these elements,' says Adrian Bergman, senior designer at British Standard by Plain English .  

'This is, of course true, especially in a busy kitchen, but there can be other considerations such as aesthetics and respect for the architecture of a room, so there are occasions where we might stretch the layout rules to achieve a result that pleases the eye as well as the brain.'

Adrian continues: 'Usually, the size and shape of the room will suggest the best kitchen layout ideas, but often there is a choice and there are pros and cons to each; a single long run, for example, can look smart but means a lot of walking between elements and the fact that guests will be looking at the chef's back while they cook. 

'I find that the best approach is to mock up and test any kitchen layout ideas in the actual space using battens and trestles, or with blocks of paper on the floor to represent the cupboards and appliances.'

Ailis started out at British GQ, where a month of work experience turned into 18 months of working on all sorts of projects, writing about everything from motorsport to interiors, and helping to put together the GQ Food & Drink Awards.  She then spent three years at the London Evening Standard, covering restaurants and bars. After a period of freelancing, writing about food, drink and homes for publications including Conde Nast Traveller, Luxury London and Departures, she started at Homes & Gardens as a Digital Writer, allowing her to fully indulge her love of good interior design. She is now a fully fledged food PR but still writes for Homes & Gardens as a contributing editor.

7 Kitchen Layout Ideas That Work

You may have your cabinets, flooring, tile, appliances, and paint all selected. But what makes a kitchen livable has little to do with the way it looks, and everything to do with functionality.

Blog | Kitchen

Today’s post comes from the home improvement experts at Modernize.

If you’re planning a kitchen, there are a few essential kitchen layout ideas you need to keep in mind as you’re designing and planning.

Before you make any big decisions or get carried away with the aesthetic, here are 7 essential kitchen layout ideas you will want to incorporate to make your kitchen design a success:

1.

Reduce Traffic

No matter what, the kitchen is probably going to be a high-traffic area of the house. But there are ways you can get around making the kitchen a catch-all for mail and backpacks and coats.

Create a space before you get into the kitchen, like a mudroom, to control the chaos that can come sweeping in every day. Once in the kitchen, make sure the primary pathway through the kitchen is hazard-free and will not be obstructed by the refrigerator or oven door when open.

Create clear zones for circulation, meal preparation and cooking in your kitchen layout

2. Make the Distance between Main Fixtures Comfortable

When laying out your kitchen it’s important to keep the main tasks in mind – preparing, serving, and cleaning up from meals. You don’t want to put the stove across the room from the sink, or the fridge too far away from the stove because that will complicate whichever task you are working on.

Lay out kitchen fixtures and appliances within comfortable proximity to each other

3.

Make Sure the Kitchen Island Isn’t too Close or too Far

A kitchen island is where much of the meal preparation happens. If your kitchen layout will include one, consider its location carefully. Make sure that it will not block the area in front of your major appliances, such as wall ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators.

Allow enough space for the appliance door swing plus room to pass when the doors are open. But you also don’t want to place it too far. Make sure your island is located within a comfortable arm’s reach from each of these fixtures.

Keep appliance door swings in mind when placing an island in your kitchen layout

4. Place the Sink First

When creating a kitchen layout, many designers place the sink first and then design from there. While this is probably grounded in tradition from the days when people spent a long time scrubbing dishes, it remains a good rule of thumb.

The oven and fridge are vital to preparing meals, but somehow the sink seems to still be the place where we spend the most time. Think about placing the sink where there is a view out a window or into the room. A kitchen island is also a great location for the sink.

Place your sink with a view into the room, out a window, or in a kitchen island for both

5. Always Put the Stove on an Exterior Wall

When you’re deciding where to put the stove and oven, remember to put them on an exterior wall rather than an island or interior wall. This will make it easier (and less expensive) to install a proper ventilation system.

Locate the stove or cooktop on an exterior wall for easy ventilation

6. Keep Vertical Storage in Mind

Instead of focusing all of your energy on creating enough cabinet and drawer storage, put a little of that energy into configuring convenient wall storage.

Storage walls are a great way to incorporate pantry storage, small appliances, baking accessories, extra china, or even a broom closet – in one convenient location. Open shelves, wall hooks, and overhead pot racks are not only convenient – if stocked with the right stuff, they can also add dimension to the aesthetic.

Think Vertical – Combine storage walls, wall hooks, and open shelves for a mix of functional storage

7. Create a Floor Plan and Visualize Your Kitchen in 3D

No matter how much designing, measuring, and pinning to your dream kitchen Pinterest boards you do, your completed kitchen can still come as a surprise once the contractors are finished – and not always in a good way.

Save yourself from costly mistakes and unfixable flaws with a kitchen layout tool. RoomSketcher provides an easy-to-use online kitchen planner that you can use to plan your kitchen layout. Draw your kitchen floor plan, add fixtures, finishes, and cabinets, and see them instantly in 3D!

Visualize your kitchen layout ideas in 3D with a kitchen layout tool

Get Started on Your Kitchen Design

Create 2D Floor Plans, 3D Floor Plans, and 3D Photos just like these, to share with your family, friends, or contractor for more accurate pricing.

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Recommended Reads

125 photos of smart kitchen layout ideas

> Kitchen > Kitchen layout - the main types of modern planning (125 photo ideas)

When you are at home, you spend more than half of your time in the kitchen. You eat breakfast, lunch and dinner there. Apart from cleaning, which also takes a lot of time. So that time does not disappear, you do not feel tired and guests are delighted at the sight of your dining room, it is worth planning your kitchen space.

Questions of interest:

When planning a kitchen, it is important to consider factors such as the number of people in the family, what electrical appliances will be used and the habits of the household. A good design will allow you to create a nondescript kitchen, more comfortable and attractive.

The kitchen must comply with three basic rules:

When planning your kitchen space, you need to take into account all the pipes, niches and ledges that may interfere with the realization of your fantasies.

Table of contents:

There are several kitchen layouts.

Direct way - the kitchen set is installed in a straight line along the wall. This layout is suitable for owners of small areas. On the other half, a dining area is perfectly placed: a table and chairs. And in the headset you can install all the equipment.

If the kitchen area allows, then you can use a two-line layout - the set will be installed along two opposite walls. This will allow you to arrange the placement of equipment in the most advantageous location.

The most versatile is the corner so-called "G" - shaped kitchen. It will successfully transform a small and walk-through room. There will be a comfortable dining area. In this embodiment, the sink, stove and refrigerator should be nearby to increase the working surface.

A less common option - when the headset is installed along three walls at once, the so-called "P" - shaped. This layout is available only to those who have a large kitchen. The whole advantage of this design is that there will be no problems in the location of appliances and other kitchen utensils.

The next option is the so-called peninsular solution, when the room is divided by a bar or table.

There is also an island method. An example would be kitchens in restaurants or canteens where the modules and hob are in the center of the room. The main thing is not to forget that such design solutions can only be implemented in large rooms.

Arrangement of furniture and appliances

In this matter, three details of the interior are considered the most capricious. If you sort out the placement problems with these things, then we can assume that you succeeded.

Slab

Place it in such a way that it can be easily approached from all sides. Usually the stove is installed in the middle about 90 cm from the sink, but you can reduce the distance to 40 cm if the set is small. The hood above the stove is installed at a height of 70 - 75 cm from the stove.

Refrigerator

Usually, planning a kitchen with a refrigerator is the least of the problems. They put it on the opposite side of the stove, but in the case of a direct set or a small kitchen, the refrigerator can be placed at the end of the kitchen set, by the window.

Sink

Traditionally, the sink is placed on the opposite side of the window, for natural light.

The work area is used for daily cooking and storage of frequently used utensils. It contains the main drawers and cabinets. Usually the work area for convenience is located between the sink and stove, and the refrigerator or oven and stove.

The secondary technique, after planning the above three things, will now be easier to apply. For example, a washing machine should be placed next to the riser, that is, where the sink is. If you want the machine to be built-in, then it can be hidden in a double cabinet, between the sink and stove. If there is a dishwasher there, then the washing machine is installed on the right side.

Design

Avoid bright contrasting colors. It would be better to use warm and light colors.

There should be light in the kitchen. Beware of littering with small things, this will only spoil the overall look.

But still, I advise you to contact an experienced designer who will be able to fully and efficiently help by showing a lot of photos of the kitchen layout.

125 photos of the best kitchen layouts

the best options with plans and 43 photo ideas

Planning Rules

To make planning convenient, several points should be taken into account when designing:

When planning a kitchen, it is important to take into account the main criterion for its ergonomics - the rule of the working triangle. Between these points, the hostess (or owner) moves during cooking:

It is convenient when the listed zones are located side by side: the sides between the points of the triangle should not be more than 2 meters.

The diagram shows the most popular options for correct kitchen layouts.

The photo shows a schematic representation of a perfectly aligned triangle, viewed from above.

Layout options

Arrangement of kitchen equipment and appliances depends on the location of water and gas pipes, windows, doors and dimensions of the room. The main types of layout are easy to understand with the help of diagrams and photographs of interiors.

Linear or single row layout

All furniture and appliances are placed along one wall. The sink in this scheme is located between the stove and the refrigerator.

The linear layout of the kitchen looks good in a room with ledges and niches, as it does not overload the space.

Opposite the cooking area, there is more room for a dining table and chairs, so the single-row layout is suitable for those who cook little, but like to receive guests or gather with the whole family at the table.

Pros Cons
Takes up little space. It is not possible to create a working triangle, which means that it will take more time to cook.
You can buy a ready-made set without making it to order.

In modern small apartments this is the most common layout option, and in narrow spaces it is the only way to accommodate everything you need for cooking.

Parallel or two-row kitchen

This is the name of a suite built along opposite walls. Only suitable for rooms with a width of 2.2 meters.

The refrigerator should be placed opposite the stove and sink, and the passage should be at least a meter long so that everyone can move freely and cook. One of the rows may be shorter than the other and include a dining area. If the kitchen is square, the table can stand between the headsets.

Benefits Disadvantages
Spacious, plenty of storage space. A two-row kitchen is quite traumatic, as the set is actively used on both sides of the room.
The working triangle is easy to create with this arrangement.
Direct modules are cheaper than corner modules.

Parallel arrangement is ideal for narrow, elongated spaces found in old houses, or where a dining room is not intended, as well as for kitchens moved to the hall.

L-shaped or corner layout

The kitchen set is located along walls running perpendicular to each other. This layout is also called L-shaped.

Corner placement is very ergonomic as it saves space while leaving free space for the dining area. A sink can be located in the corner or under the window. For a small kitchen, a corner layout is the most convenient option.

Pros Cons
It's easy to set up a workgroup, so moving around while cooking is quick and easy. It will be more difficult for two people to cook with this layout, since the space is designed for one and access to the equipment will be difficult.
Compact. One of the sidewalls can be made narrow, which will further save space. The cost of a corner kitchen is higher than that of a straight line.

Corner kitchen set is a versatile option, it is perfect for small and medium-sized kitchens.

U-shaped kitchen

With this layout, cabinets and household appliances are placed along three adjacent walls. The shape of the modules resembles the letter "P".

The distance between modules must not be less than 120 cm, otherwise opening cabinet doors will interfere. Ideally, if each side is responsible for its own zone: it is more convenient to place a refrigerator, stove and sink on different parts of the headset.

Often one of the sidewalls is a bar counter - this option is the most popular in studios.

Pros Cons
The most spacious kitchen configuration, occupies all free corners. Made exclusively to order.
Convenient while cooking: no need to move around the kitchen if everything is planned correctly. Looks very bulky and not suitable for tight spaces.
Symmetrical, which is important in terms of aesthetics. If the window sill is low, it will not be possible to place a headset near the window.

Suitable for studios, doubles, spacious rectangular rooms, and those who only use the kitchen for cooking.

C-shaped kitchen

This layout resembles a U-shaped kitchen, but is distinguished by the presence of a ledge in the form of a breakfast bar or cabinet. In fact, it is an open quadrilateral.

There must be enough space to accommodate such a headset, because the ledge hides the space intended for passage. The bar counter can play the role of a working and dining area.

Pros Cons
Has plenty of storage space for dishes and household appliances. Not suitable for long elongated spaces.
You can create a comfortable layout. Takes up a lot of free space.
The peninsula saves more space than an island.

Only suitable for spacious kitchens of at least 16 m: eg in private houses.

Island kitchen

Island is an additional cabinet for storing dishes or a table located in the center of the kitchen. On it there can be a stove, which will allow you to comfortably organize cooking. Also, the island can serve as a dining table, if a separate dining room is not provided, or a place to place a dishwasher or a small refrigerator. It can separate the cooking and dining area.

Benefits Disadvantages
Functionality: the island can free up an entire wall, theoretically replacing the entire set. Not suitable for small kitchens.
The interior with the island looks luxurious and monumental. If the island is to be equipped with a stove, a hood must be installed above it.

It is rational to use the island layout in square kitchens with an area of ​​at least 20 meters.

Non-standard examples

Unusually shaped rooms with sloping walls and extra corners are the hardest to plan. To solve this issue, you can turn to professionals or design a kitchen yourself. Here are some helpful kitchen planning tips shared by experts.

If the room is connected, for example with a connected balcony, it is important to use all the walls that are not occupied by openings. For a walk-through kitchen, a direct layout is most suitable.

The arrangement of the headset looks original in the shape of the letter "T" with a peninsula that divides the space into two zones. The central cabinet can act as a dining table or work surface. This layout is only suitable for a large kitchen.

The kitchen, moved to the corridor, is a narrow space that requires a special approach: shallow furniture, sliding doors instead of swing doors, small-sized appliances.

In the photo, the kitchen, moved to the corridor, is played with color as a continuation of the living room.

In a kitchen with a bay window or chamfered corners, you can create an unusual trapezoid design that will definitely attract attention. The difficulty lies in the fact that special fittings are required for non-standard premises. It is important not to clutter up the pentagonal kitchen with an abundance of decor and utensils: you can place a thin console on one of the walls or combine the suite with a single tabletop.

Photo gallery

With a little time and understanding of the kitchen layout, you can make the dining and cooking area not just stylish, but comfortable for the whole family. Other interesting layout ideas are displayed in the photos presented in the gallery.

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