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Small u shaped kitchen remodels


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(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

U-shaped kitchens are efficient three-sided designs that max out storage possibilities with everything at your fingertips. If space is tight, these horseshoe-shaped layouts offer plenty of countertop space, cabinets and drawers above and below for an ultra-streamlined look. 

U-shaped kitchens don’t have to be restricted to three walls either and the kitchen layout ideas can be adapted if there’s space for an island unit or breakfast bar at one end of a run of units. Whether you have an open-plan layout or a separate room, U-shaped kitchens work well in every size and style of room. 

'As its name suggests, a U-shaped kitchen features cabinetry on three adjoining walls to create a U-shape,' says Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio . 'This layout is very flexible and works no matter the size of your space.'

Below, we have masses of inspiration for U-shaped kitchen ideas. 

U-shaped kitchen ideas

We have rounded up the most inspiring U-shaped kitchen ideas, so you can decide if this is the best shape for you. But it's not all about layout: there are many kitchen ideas that suit any kitchen footprint from our design experts below.

1. Add a bridging breakfast bar

(Image credit: Life Kitchens)

Open-plan kitchens probably won’t have the traditional three walls to work with if you want a U-shaped kitchen. One solution is to add in a bridging breakfast bar that will form the horseshoe shape and create a highly usable kitchen that links seamlessly to the rest of the room. 

'This U-shape kitchen embodies the feeling of an island based design with a bridging breakfast bar which helps to segregate the living area from the dining, while maintaining the flow in an open-plan space,' says Graeme Smith, head of retail and commercial design at Life Kitchens . 'Fully fitted, but with break out elements, everything is wrapped up in the geometry of the open frame units creating a bold line across the kitchen.'

The bridging, breakfast bar not only creates an efficient, U-shape design with everything to hand for cooking and preparation, it also becomes an informal spot for eating and working. 

2. Incorporate a bay window

(Image credit: Sustainable Kitchens)

Galley kitchens can be compact, but by incorporating a window into the layout, you can add more usable U-shaped space, all while flooding the area with light. Installing a sink below a window is a great idea as you can look out while doing dishes, while the longer lengths of counter space can be reserved for appliances and food preparation.

This U-shaped kitchen makes the most of an awkward split-level space. The bay window has become a multi-use zone with a huge trough sink and a lowered breakfast bench where the children can eat their cereal in the sunshine before getting ready for school. The bright orange range cooker looks over the lower level dining table area so the owners can cook and talk to family and friends at the same time. 

3. Go for glazed fronts

(Image credit: deVOL)

U-shaped kitchens don’t always need to be streamlined and modern, as this beautifully eclectic, design demonstrates. The rustic, U-shaped kitchen works because the palette of natural materials is kept to a minimum (wood, copper and marble) and the glazed fronts of the Haberdasher’s cabinets reflect light around the room. The result is to create kitchen cabinet ideas that are timeless, cool and packed with personality.

'Glass-fronted cabinets are visually less obtrusive than standard cabinets,' says Brani Hadzhi, co-founder and showroom manager of Scavolini by Multiliving . 'What’s more, glass is great for bouncing light around a space, making it look and feel bigger. Plus, it lets you see what’s inside your cabinets while keeping everything dust free.'

4.

Do away with wall units in a small space

(Image credit: IDF Studio/Photographer: Christopher Stark)

In a small U-shaped kitchen, it can be a great idea to eliminate wall units altogether and focus the storage opportunities on the lower half of the kitchen. This will help the space to feel less crowded and cluttered, and allow for kitchen wall decor ideas above.

'With an Edwardian bay-shaped wall on the sink side of the room, this kitchen – half octagon – is even more U-shaped than most!' says Kassin Adelman founder and CEO of IDF Studio in San Francisco Bay. 'We kept the bay wall clear of cabinets and instead focused on the beautiful stone tile and the light pouring through. The tall, narrow island is key to this space, providing visual symmetry and ensuring that each workspace isn’t too far apart, while keeping walkways clear.'

5. Consider a u-shaped island

(Image credit: Simon Taylor Furniture)

A large, U-shaped kitchen island is a striking alternative to a standard, U-shaped kitchen design. Here, the imposing U-shaped island is the focal point of this classic, Shaker kitchen and incorporates a cozy and sociable dining banquette seating, perches for bar stools, wine coolers and the main countertop work zone.

'Designed for entertaining, this bespoke Shaker kitchen features a long run of cabinetry with an Everhot range cooker at the centre, together with a U-shaped kitchen island as the main focus of the room,' says Simon Taylor, managing director of Simon Taylor Furniture . 'There is an overhang on both sides of the U-shaped design to accommodate bar stools beneath, and, in the center, a U-shaped banquette was created to surround one end of a large rectangular dining table that the client already owned.'

6. Strip it back

(Image credit: Design Space London)

A block color, handle-free, U-shaped kitchen is a clever design solution in a modern, open-plan space. A pair of monolithic islands are clad all over in a pebble grey laminate to create a crisp, un-kitcheny mood, with a covered sink and retractable tap maintain the sleek lines. A raw oak bar top joins both structures creating a super fluid take on the U-shape.

'When putting together a U-shaped scheme, it is important to ensure that there is sufficient access space to allow for the dishwasher to be opened fully while not blocking the use of important working zones,' says Richard Atkins, managing director of DesignSpaceLondon . 'The sink and hob areas should be located perpendicular to each other to minimize walking distance between the two zones.'

7. Extend storage upwards in a narrow U-shape

(Image credit: deVOL)

Smaller, U-shaped kitchens offer a really efficient use of space. In this narrow kitchen, the bespoke cabinetry is painted in a fresh, neutral shade called Linen to keep the room as light and airy as possible with a floor-to-ceiling, wall of storage maximizing every square inch of space.

'This beautiful, bespoke cabinetry not only keeps everything neat and in its own place, but it gives a feeling of depth, space and quality,' says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL .

8. Be creative with storage

(Image credit: Scavolini)

Think outside the box when it comes to boosting storage in a small U-shaped kitchen. As well as utilizing glass fronts to reflect light and ceiling-height cupboards for maximum storage opportunities, don’t forget overhead racks. 

'Cabinets on every wall can sometimes feel a little overwhelming in a U-shaped kitchen set-up,' says Brani Hadzhi of Scavolini by Multiliving. 'Create some breathing room with open shelving or even a hanging rail above the base units – alternatively create a focal point by hanging a stylish rack over your peninsula.'

9. Increase functionality with an island unit

(Image credit: Tom Howley)

If your U-shaped kitchen is large, consider adding an island unit to increase storage, enhance functionality of the working kitchen triangle and boost preparation space with extra island countertops.

'In a large, U-shaped kitchen, I tend to add an island unit,' says Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio. 'Without it, the cabinet runs are set too far apart to use the key services – cooking, cooling and washing – efficiently. The island bridges the gap and creates additional prep, cooking and storage space.'

Make sure you choose the right size kitchen island and that there’s enough room to move around the island. Look at the depth of the wall units and the footprint of the island: will you have enough space to move around freely? Typically, experts recommend a minimum of three feet clearance on all sides of the island. 

10. Go for handleless units in a small kitchen

(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)

In compact kitchens, innovative kitchen storage ideas, such as pull-out racks and magic corners, make the most of every centimetre of space. Narrow-depth cabinets solve the problem of limited manoeuvrability, providing that little bit of extra room to move. 

If you are still in the planning stage, design a kitchen with handleless doors, like the one above, so you’re not always catching against handles while working.

11. Paint in a neutral color palette

(Image credit: Future / Ngoc Minh Ngo)

U-shaped kitchens can work in large spaces, but even small kitchens can benefit from a U-shaped design – just be sure you have at least six feet of moving-around space between the opposite banks of units.

Opt for pale colors on cabinets and worksurfaces that reflect the light to make your kitchen seem bigger.

Neutral kitchen color ideas and reflective finishes enhance the feeling of space, as do clutter-free countertops.

12. Keep it minimal

(Image credit: Future / Richard Powers)

This impressive, all-white kitchen has the look of a U-shaped kitchen, while incorporating a walk-through in front of the high level units along the back wall. In essence this design consists of an island and one wall of floor-to-ceiling units. 

By choosing white for cabinetry, ceilings and walls, the boundaries between surfaces blur, giving the impression of a compact U-shaped design that gradually opens up as you move around.

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

If you are looking for small kitchen layout ideas, a U-shaped design is well worth considering. Depending on your space, it may be easy to incorporate a table and chairs at the opposite end of the U shape. 

Be bold in a small space, with dark-wood kitchen units and bare white walls – and consider matching tabletop and countertops for a tailored look. If you can pare back cupboards to the minimum, you may find you have capacity for a table and chairs. 

This smart kitchen has a look all its own and demonstrates a very individual approach to kitchen design, making the space feel fresh and special.

14. Let there be light

(Image credit: Future / Jody Stewart)

Lighting, especially natural daylight, also helps create an airy atmosphere. But if your kitchen has limited access to natural light, consider installing plenty of light fixtures. 

Cleverly planned kitchen lighting ideas will bring your space out of the shadows. ‘Often, lighting can be the last thing considered in kitchen design,’ says Andrew Hall, managing director of Woodstock Furniture . ‘However, for a kitchen to look its best and function well, the space must be lit properly.

'With U-shaped kitchens, ensure you give due consideration to both task and  ambient lighting,' advises Neil Partridge, design director of NGI Design .

A series of ceiling lights and wall hung lamps really help to enhance the U-shape in this kitchen. 

15. Use a dark color on cabinetry 

(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovatti)

Dark, bold colors work well in U-shaped kitchens when there is ample space and, as in this blue gloss kitchen, when there’s masses of natural light streaming in.  

Daylight bounces off the white walls and ceiling, enhancing the airy feel of the kitchen.

16. Create a divider

(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)

In larger kitchens, adding an island or dining area provides more workspace and a social aspect, while in open plan kitchens, consider using one side of the U as a divider between the kitchen and living areas.

17. Plan your kitchen according to size

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

Keep your cabinets low level and opt for open shelving across all walls of your kitchen for a modern, minimal look. To continue the sleek design, consider integrating appliances into the cabinetry and go for handleless doors. 

This kitchen – finished in matte white lacquer – uses wooden shelving as an integral part of the layout.

18. Install a breakfast bar if space allows

(Image credit: Future / Paul Massey)

U-shaped kitchen ideas can make the room feel quite confined, so avoid having wall units on all three sides if possible, or use open shelving to lighten the look.

There’s little space for a dining area in a U-shaped layout, so perhaps take a look at some of breakfast bar or peninsula ideas instead.

Remember, if you drift in and out of your kitchen throughout the day, this layout may feel closed off from the rest of your living area.

19.

Create a look you'll love for years to come

(Image credit: Future / Alicia Taylor)

Mix and match cabinets from different collections – different colors, textures and materials – to achieve a personal style.

This kitchen has been given a characterful update with paint, artwork and a rather delightful floral arrangement. 

20. Free up floor space

(Image credit: Future / Kate Martin)

Opting for a U-shape in a medium-sized kitchen maximises floor space and keeps the outlook open. 

If your kitchen is on the smaller side, then limit your color palette, for a neat, tidy and steamlined aesthetic. This monochrome combination is a tried-and-tested winner.

What are U-shaped kitchens? 

U-shaped kitchens traditionally have units running along three walls of the room with one free wall as the access point.

Modern variants include the U-shape plus island combo, which sees an island bridging the middle of a large U-shape, as well as standalone U-shape islands that sit in the middle of an open-plan room.

'Where there are only two walls to work against, you can still achieve a U-shape by making the third side a peninsula unit,' adds Jamee Kong of DesignSpaceLondon.

What shape kitchen is best? 

There are U-shaped kitchens, L-shaped kitchens, galley kitchens and more – but what shape is best? The truth is, it's down to whatever suits your lifestyle.

Kitchen trends come and go, but planning a layout essentially remains the same. The classic layouts of galley, L- and U-shapes are designed to be the most ergonomically sound, helping to create the ‘work triangle’ of hob, sink and fridge within easy distance of each other and allowing for adequate work space in between.

And while we have swapped compact kitchens for open plan living, it is interesting to see how these shapes have found new relevance in a larger space.

When it comes to the design of U-shaped kitchens, there are some things to keep in mind.

The main attraction of an U-shape layout is its abundance of worksurfaces.  

'Capitalize on this by investing in the best countertop you can afford, such as a striking granite or chunky timber, to create a stunning design feature,' suggests Hayley Shaw of Magnet Kitchens .

Avoid too many tall or wall cabinets as they can make the room feel smaller and too closed in. Instead, go for base units, fit tall cabinets across one wall only, or create an airy feel with open kitchen shelving.

This layout can make the room feel quite confined, so avoid having wall units on all three sides if possible, or use open shelving to lighten the look.

What is the best color for U-shaped kitchen cabinetry?

Choosing a contrasting, darker shade on the base units of a classic U-shaped kitchen will help anchor the design and create the illusion of space. Replacing wall cabinets with a single, extended shelf opens up the room with white walls and natural, concrete countertops adding to the airy ambience. The monochrome color scheme is effortlessly cool and will never date.  

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

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50 Unique U-Shaped Kitchens And Tips You Can Use From Them

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A u-shaped kitchen is a highly coveted layout for a househunter since they offer so much space for cabinetry. The u-shaped layout places units around the cook on three sides with the top of the ‘u’ left open for a doorway or an open plan living room. U-shaped kitchens can be combined with dining areas or even a kitchen island if the width of the room allows. An open plan room often presents the opportunity to make one arm of the ‘u’ into a peninsula that can be accessed from both sides, such as for use as a breakfast bar or as a dual sided storage volume. Find all this and more in this inspirational gallery.

Generally speaking, there are six types of kitchen layouts: The One Wall, Galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, Island and Peninsula. There are no strict positions in which to order the stove, fridge or sink, and a kitchen can be combinations of one or more of the typical layouts. For example, you could have an L-shaped kitchen with an island or a peninsula, or a galley kitchen that is linked at one end. In designing a functional kitchen, the kitchen work triangle should be considered, which means that the distance between the sink, stove and fridge should be no more than 1200mm apart. Though, the concept of the kitchen working triangle is now evolving further to take into account multiple cooks, as well as new gadgets and appliances. In comparison to when the concept originated in the 1940s, where kitchens were a utilitarian place typically home to the housewife, our kitchens and equality have come a long way. Microwaves, separate cook tops to ovens, prep stations with an additional mini sink and teamwork all interrupt the traditional triangle. As modern kitchens present an increase in dedicated task zones, secondary triangles become commonplace.

Play with floor levels. This unique u-shaped kitchen is sunken below the floor level of the open plan living room, allowing onlookers a birds-eye view.

Colour coordinate upper units with the wall colour. The wall cabinets in this blue kitchen have been used as reference for the room’s paint colour. Colour coordinating the paint with the units in this way helps the space appear more open.

A different tack has been taken in this blue kitchen, with wall cabinets placed around the full u-shape. However, one side of the arrangement is open to the dining room, and windows run around the rest of the countertop level bringing plenty of airiness to the scheme. Cleaning the backsplash after cooking dinner in this kitchen becomes an exercise in window washing!

Forget the plinths. With the abundance of cabinets typical to a u-shaped kitchen you may be looking for new ways to help your design look more open and spacious. Leaving off the base plinths can help expand the look of your floor space – though do be prepared to get down low to clean out the recess regularly if you’re dropsy with your vegetable choppings.

Create a wrap around storage volume to an adjacent area. The tall height of the oven housing unit and fridge freezer housing has been continued around the corner into the lounge in this open plan home. The extension is used as a media unit surrounding the tv facing the lounge.

Define edges with lighting. LED strips placed just beneath the lip of a kitchen countertop and wall units create an ambient glow.

Make a feature of a niche shelf by picking it out in a different colour. A dark wood tone adds sophisticated flair to an all white kitchen.

Match the baseboard to the backsplash. This grey and white kitchen brings in grey not only through a tiled backsplash but with a coordinated kickboard.

In a long open home, a mid-way u-shaped kitchen can be used to effectively divide the floor plan.

Bring in colour with countertop appliances and accessories. This red kitchen set looks great with warm rustic brick walls.

Black appliances in a white kitchen look punchy and modern. This design has black pieces situated on each of the three straights of the u-shaped kitchen to maintain balance.

Shortening the returns of a u-shaped kitchen can leave room for a fully-fledged dining set.

Combine cabinet finishes, like this wood grain and white gloss modern kitchen.

Let your budget inspire you rather than restrict. Choosing Scandinavian kitchen style can be a cost effective exercise, since the magic of the Scandi aesthetic is simplicity. Wooden bar stools from Ikea drive in the look.

Use every nook and cranny for storage in a tiny u-shaped kitchen. Shape shelves into the eaves.

Tailor the design to suit your own lifestyle. One side of this setup has cabinets facing out to the living room where a wine rack on hand. A raised bench is in place where you can easily pop the cork.

Build a lighting soffit. A wood effect soffit has been installed around the ceiling perimeter of this white kitchen, complete with recessed spotlights.

Where there is plenty of natural light, don’t be afraid to go dark with the cabinetry.

Add hints of green with indoor plants, or add colour with kitchen stools. It helps when the countertops are super-clean — no messy dishes, plates or knife holders in sight!

Take tiling to the top. This white kitchen has metro tiles stacked almost to the rafters. Dark grout accentuates the tile design.

Get wired – without any hassle. If you don’t want to punch holes in the ceiling for spotlights or install a lighting soffit, how about positioning some exposed bulb kitchen pendant lights. With exposed electrical wiring being on trend you can feel free to string wires from a single power point. If you fancy a bit of colour then go for lengths of brightly bound electrical wire; there’s the pick of the rainbow available out there.

Just can’t decide on a kitchen cabinet colour? No problem. Go multicoloured with Mondrian inspired interior design.

The golden touch. Take your kitchen scheme upmarket with a flurry of gold finishing touches. Try a gold faucet, cabinet handles, tile trims or planters. Leave out your best cooking oils too, they will decorate the countertop with their own golden essence.

Forget making do with a tiny kitchen tv – go big using a projector.

Break with stereotypes. The positioning of the fridge with an adjacent oven at the neck of the ‘u’ in this layout is quite unconventional. The tall units at the back make the plan feel almost like a galley kitchen. The fridge and oven are often situated in tandem in modern kitchens, though some manufacturers warn that the proximity is detrimental to your fridge by making it work harder to achieve the desired internal temperature.

Select an extractor unit to be the main feature.

If you tire of colour schemes quickly, use easily replaceable items to colour the room. Keep bold colours confined to mugs, trays and tea towels to make a decor change gentle in effort and low on price.

Use similar tones but different materials. These coffee coloured wall cabinets match with the walnut wood grain below – yet the change in texture brings interest and makes the space appear less crowded.

Leave a wall free of upper cabinets to make a space appear larger.

Take an indoor kitchen to the great outdoors with a living wall. This one brings a lovely quirk to a tv wall.

Open shelving dipped within a bank of wall cabinetry gives the scheme added depth.

Draw inspiration from a raw concrete kitchen floor, and install an industrial kitchen design.

Kitchen flooring can zone the cooking area from the rest of an open living room.

Create a colour stripe, like in this red and white u shaped kitchen with peninsula.

Colour the opposite side of a peninsular to fit with dining room or lounge decor.

In a large layout, a peninsular can be dedicated entirely to dining, with prep taking place only along an L-shape.

Similarly, if space allows, situate seating on the inside of the peninsular to look outward over the rest of an open plan room.

Think on another level. This u-shaped kitchen is a collection of optical illusions and undulating bench heights.

Mark out a dining area using a contrasting countertop.

For a true ‘u’, how about this curvaceous little number?…

… Or this sleek u-shaped kitchen island.

Create interesting angles where there are none. This geometric peninsula is matched by a diagonal cut baseline across the wall units.

Camouflage a kitchen extractor unit against wall decor, or distract the eye with colourful accessories on adjacent shelving.

This u-shaped kitchen installation allows footfall to move straight past without anyone disturbing the cook.

Use bold wall tiles to add wow factor to a white kitchen…

… Feature floor tiles work well too.

Fashion a glass divide across the length a peninsular to contain cooking splashes or prep mess.

Revamp a tired rustic u-shaped kitchen with some cheerfully painted cabinets and contrasting accessories.

Add personality with unexpected touches. These copper pendant lights and kitchen backsplash give this white kitchen a unique energy.

Don’t think you have the space to complete a u-shaped design? Half depth units can be used along one of the walls to create the effect.

1. Kitchen canisters 2. Fruit kitchen clock 3. Evercut Furtif Knives 4. Touch kitchen faucet 5. Comfort kitchen mat 6. Kitchen trash can with step lid 7. Counter edge cutting board with collapsible bin 8. Green foldable cutting board 9. Green and white sink strainer 10. Nesting bowl set 11. Modway kitchen stool 12. Swan ladle


Recommended Reading:
50 Cool Kitchen Gadgets That Would Make Your Life Easier
40 Captivating Kitchen Bar Stools For Any Type Of Decor

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10 U-shaped kitchen designs

Today, the U-shaped kitchen design is popular with both manufacturers and customers. And all because such a layout has a universal character and you can arrange furniture in it at your discretion. A kitchen set, household appliances and storage systems are located on three adjacent walls, thereby forming the letter "p". In this case, one of the sides can be a peninsula or a bar counter.

U-shaped kitchen will look good in a modern style, in a classic and even Provence style. There are no restrictions, since this type of furniture arrangement is suitable for most areas.

Now let's look at the main advantages and disadvantages of such a kitchen:

Advantages

Disadvantages

You can order a cottage design project to make sure that such a layout is convenient for a large room. In the meantime, we will give ten useful tips for arranging a u-shaped kitchen with photos. Go!

1. Plan your kitchen according to the "work triangle" rule

According to this rule, the stove, sink and refrigerator should form a triangle together. That is, each work area should occupy its own wall and, accordingly, perform the functions assigned to it. So, it is advisable to use one wall for arranging cabinets and other furniture for storage, the second for arranging a “wet” zone, and arrange the third with everything necessary for cooking.

There is another interesting way to place the basic zones: a sink with a stove can be placed opposite the refrigerator, due to this one working zone will be completely freed up, where you can additionally put, for example, a microwave or a coffee machine.

2. Pay attention to the passage

The main thing is that the passage is not too narrow or too wide. What does this mean and how can it be applied in practice?

If the aisle is too narrow, it will be difficult to open drawers, use the oven, or just walk around. With a wide aisle, the U-shaped kitchen will lose its main advantage - convenience, since it will be extremely uncomfortable for you to do something in a room where all zones are located at different angles.

Remember: a convenient distance between the cabinet walls is at least 120 cm.

Photo: home-designing.com

opening and makes it difficult to enter the room, it can and should be slightly narrowed - up to 45 cm. Such a solution is not only relevant, but also virtually indispensable for small kitchens in which the distance between the sidewalls does not reach 120 cm.

Photo: home-designing.com

4. To make the kitchen not seem cluttered, you should abandon wall cabinets in whole or in part

Incorrectly selected furniture can further reduce an already small space. Free at least one of the walls from hanging cabinets - and the kitchen will immediately “lose weight”.

But how to distribute all the things from these cabinets around the room, if space is limited, you ask? We will tell you what is needed for this.

Use pencil cases, placing them on the side of the headset, pay attention to carousels, pull-out multi-level baskets in the lower cabinets, replace hinged cabinets with drawers. So the kitchen will accommodate everything you need.

Another interesting option is to replace wall cabinets with open shelves. This method is ideal for a Provence or Shabby Chic kitchen, where open shelves are a mandatory attribute of the chosen direction.

Photo: decoreditor.com

5. Use a pencil case to create a spacious storage system

We have already mentioned these cabinets, now let's talk about them in more detail. If you need extra space for storing kitchen utensils, equip two sides of the kitchen set with these cabinets. To make the storage area even larger, consider a tall suite with an upper tier at the kitchen planning stage. By the way: pencil cases are perfectly combined with built-in appliances (refrigerator, oven and microwave), as can be seen in the photo below.

Not only is this closet very roomy, it is still a little invisible and seems to merge with the wall.

Photo: home-designing. com

6. Choose fronts in white or pastel colors

The U-shaped kitchen itself is very massive, so it should be lightened visually, including with the help of light shades. It is important to adhere to the following recommendations:

- choose a set to match the walls so that the kitchen seems to dissolve in them, due to this the space will visually increase. It is acceptable to use beige, cream, light gray, as well as universal white. Especially relevant is the use of white for small spaces.

- to make a small and dark kitchen more spacious and lighter, glossy surfaces should be used, which will make the furniture seem weightless. The same effect can be achieved when using mirror or glass surfaces.

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7.

Use the island in the U-shaped kitchen to make it as comfortable as possible

As we have already said, a too large kitchen with a U-shaped set will lose its convenience. But if you dream of such a layout, there is no point in resisting. A large kitchen is not a sentence, and the situation can still be corrected.

In this case, the island will come to the rescue. With it, we kill two birds with one stone: you get an additional work area and a storage area that can be equipped with drawers, and fill the void between three adjacent walls. Be sure to follow the main rule: the passages around the island should be quite wide - at least one and a half meters.

Photo: mkumodels.com

8. Good lighting plays an important role. Ceiling lighting will not be enough; local illumination of work surfaces is necessary.

- it is allowed to use spotlights or LED strips under wall cabinets - this will provide good lighting for the cooking area;

- you can use spotlights or pendant lights to comfortably illuminate the sink and worktop located by the window;

- the dining area also needs additional lighting - of all lighting fixtures, it is better to stop your attention on pendant lamps or a small chandelier.

Choose original design solutions in the form of lighting fixtures - they will decorate the room and create a special atmosphere.

Photo: livinator.com

9. Strive for symmetry and focus on the center set

In order for the kitchen design to look neat and noble, it is necessary to ensure symmetry in the layout and beautifully emphasize its center. If you have the opportunity to use this method without sacrificing convenience, by all means do it. The center can be a hood over the stove or a sink with a beautiful chandelier.

Photo: cremafriends.com

10. Make the most of the corners

In the case of corner pedestals, it is advisable to equip them with pull-out multi-level systems or a carousel. This optimizes the corners precisely in terms of functionality. In one of the corners, you can place a sink or stove, in which case give preference to a trapezoidal shape.

At the same time, it should be noted that the cost of such fittings is quite high, but this is not a waste of money, but an investment in convenience. Moreover, some are of the opinion that sliding and rotating shelves in the closet “steal” space. May be so. However, they are multifunctional and convenient, because you can find all the necessary things on them, and at the same time do not free up half of the shelf each time to find and retrieve them. Such accessories allow you to make the most of all available things and not worry that the pot or pan can get lost in the far corner.

Photo: housebeautiful.com

Now let's look at different options for planning a U-shaped kitchen:

1. U-shaped kitchen with an island

20 square meters. Even if the kitchen is 17-18 meters, it is better not to use this option, since there should be at least one and a half meters between the walls of the island and the fittings.

If the room fits into the footage, feel free to use the island! It is presented in different shapes: square, rectangular, rounded. Use the island not only as an additional work surface, but also as a dining area.

There is another interesting option: a two-level retractable island. Thanks to this option, the useful working surface will become twice as large. On the top level it is convenient to cut something, and on the bottom to knead the dough.

Photo: wallspan.com.au

2. U-shaped kitchen with breakfast bar

The bar counter is perfect as a third side of the kitchen if you do not want to put a separate large table with chairs. If you have a small apartment and do not have enough space to organize a dining area, this option will save the day.

Photo: roomaholic.com

required work surface height. In addition, you will have to additionally lay communications to the window and resolve the issue with the radiator. It can be covered with a countertop, but it will block the warm air flow, and the kitchen will become much colder. To avoid heat loss, make gaps on the surface through which air will pass.

It will not be very convenient to use this part of the surface, since crumbs can fall into the cracks, but you will keep warm.

Photo: homremodel.com

4. Small u-shaped kitchen

If you want to equip a small kitchen with the letter "u", it is important to consider that the distance between opposite kitchen blocks should be - how much? Right! - not less than 120 cm. This is necessary for free access to all cabinets and appliances. You should take into account the standard depth of the kitchen worktop, which is 60 cm. This number must be multiplied by 2 and added another 120. Thus, the width of your kitchen should be at least 240 cm if you still decide on a U-shaped layout.

Photo: home-designing.com

U-shaped kitchen design (80 photos)

U-shaped kitchen: tips for choosing

Headings: All about furniture 2 , Kitchens 88 , Living rooms 2 , Bedrooms 3 , Hallways 2