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U shaped kitchen meaning


U Shaped Kitchen Layout - Kitchen Infinity

A staple of modern kitchen design, the U shaped kitchen is one of the most sought-after kitchen layouts due to its practicality, storage, countertop space, and overall aesthetically-pleasing design.

U shaped kitchens can really improve your cooking space, but they're not right for everyone's home. Here the Kitchen Infinity team will look at how this unique kitchen layout works, what the advantages are, and how it compares to other kitchen styles.

Let's get to it!

What is a U-shaped kitchen?

Put simply, a U-shaped kitchens are a kitchen layout where the counters flow around 3 walls uninterrupted to create a “U” shape in the room. This kitchen layout is thought to be the best kitchen layout by many designers because it maximizes storage space and countertop space.

Large U-shaped kitchens are also ideal for two chefs, so if you spend a lot of time preparing meals with other members of your household, a large U-shaped kitchen allows you both the space to work without getting in each other's way too much.

Image credits: Kitchen Infinity Photo

The working triangle

The working triangle (aka the “work triangle”) is the space between the sink, the stove, and the fridge. As these are the most frequented areas of a kitchen, your kitchen layout should prioritize putting these elements in a convenient location (ideally with around 4-5 feet of space between each element).

So to be clear, the working triangle is:

  1. The Refrigerator
  2. The Stove
  3. The Sink
U-Shaped Kitchen Layout

A U-shaped kitchen gives you multiple options for your working triangle, as you have 3 walls and 2 corners to take advantage of. With all of this space, it's usually pretty easy to have a practical and convenient work triangle in a U-shaped kitchen.

The working triangle is the foundation of all good kitchen design ideas, helping to make a small space as practical and as convenient as possible. A U-shaped kitchen makes it easier to implement this foundation in the best way possible.

The secondary working triangle

The secondary working triangle is the fridge, your appliances, and your prep space. For example, you might have a dedicated counter space for your chopping board or butcher block, and then a dedicated space for appliances such as blenders, mixers, and food processors.

So to be clear, this secondary working triangle is:

  1. The Refrigerator
  2. Smaller Kitchen Appliances
  3. The Food Preparation Area

If you do a LOT of cooking, especially for complex meals, then you might want to consider the design of the “second” working triangle. This is reserved for more technical chefs, but with a U-shaped kitchen, you have more than enough space for both the main and secondary working triangle areas.

You might want to consider a U-shaped kitchen remodel to help give you more kitchen space for complex food preparation.

Different sizes and how they work

U-shaped kitchen design can be found in both large and small kitchens. Depending on the size of the room, the U-shaped design could be used slightly differently:

The space you have available to you largely dictates how your U-shaped cooking area is going to function.

Lighting ideas

If you're working with a U-style kitchen, you need to think very carefully about lighting. If there is space for windows to let natural light in, then let as much natural light in as possible. A lot of U-style cooking spaces have a large window above the sink to let in natural light.

High-gloss paint on your kitchen cabinets also helps to reflect light!

After the natural light, you'll need several ceiling lights and under-cabinet lighting to illuminate all the counter tops. When you've got so much counterspace, it's important to find the best way to light it all, whether that's with natural light, artificial light, or a combination of the two.

Image credit: Kitchen Infinity Photo

What are the advantages of a U shaped kitchen?

A U-style kitchen has many advantages over other layouts.

The kitchen layout allows for:

  1. Maximizing storage – U-style spaces naturally have more storage solutions and cabinets than other layouts, making them convenient for those with A LOT of food and appliances to store
  2. Countertops – Unlike l shaped kitchen, this kitchen design gives you a lot of countertops to play with, especially if you put an island in the middle too. You have an open shelving which makes moving around easier.
  3. 1 or 2 chefs – most U-style kitchen layouts have plenty of room for 2 chefs to work without bumping into each other
  4. Versatility – when designing a U-style kitchen, you usually have multiple options for how to lay things out and where to place your “working triangle”
  5. Organized – with all of the room and cabinetry that a U-style kitchen can offer, it's much easier to have a kitchen that is organized into distinct work areas and storage spaces

There are many ways that a U-style kitchen could benefit your family, but these are just some ideas.

Tips for maximizing your U-style kitchen

If you want to get the most out of your new kitchen layout, try some of these tips:

U-Shaped Kitchen Design by Kitchen Infinity

What are the 6 types of kitchen layouts?

So, you've heard about U-shaped kitchens, but what are the other options?

  1. The One Wall Kitchen – sometimes called a “line kitchen”, the one wall kitchen takes up one side of the room, as the name implies. Often found in apartments and small spaces, the smaller One Wall Kitchens may be called “kitchenettes” sometimes.
  2. The Galley Kitchen – named after the kitchen layout commonly found on ships, the galley-style kitchen comprises of 2 walls running parallel to each other. This is best for long and narrow spaces, especially if there is a window at the end.
  3. The L-shaped Kitchen – one of the most common layouts, the L-shaped kitchens take up 1 corner and 2 walls of a room to create an “L” shape. Usually, the size of the two countertop lengths will be pretty similar in l shaped kitchen, though they can vary depending on the size of the room. When it comes to kitchens, L shaped designs are very common.
  4. The U-shaped Kitchen – this layout uses 3 walls and 2 corners of the room to create a “U” shape. With a slight area increase in an l shaped kitchen, kitchen u shaped add more open shelving and space to your kitchen.
  5. The Island Kitchen – this is any design that features a kitchen island somewhere in the room, though it's usually found on U-style designs.
  6. The Peninsula Kitchen – the peninsula style is VERY similar to the U-shape, except that one of the countertops is freestanding in the middle of the room to create an island-like breakfast bar, breakfast nook, or countertop area.

The bottom line

A lot of homes don't have the room needed for a U-shaped cooking area, but if you do, I would recommend getting one! A well-designed U-style space with granite counters and stainless steel appliances could be just what your home needs to propel it to the next level and significantly increase its value.

Whatever layout you go for, we hope you enjoy it and find it practical for your cooking needs!

15 Ideas for a U-Shaped Kitchen Layout

By

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel is an interior design expert who has covered architecture, interiors, and decor trends for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Lonny, and the American and international editions of Elle Decor. She resides in Paris, France, and has traveled to over 30 countries, giving her a global perspective on home design.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Published on 01/04/22

Design by Leclair Decor

A U-shaped kitchen is a common layout that features built-in cabinetry, countertops and appliances on three sides, with a fourth side left open or featuring a cased opening or entry door. In larger spaces with enough width, U-shaped kitchens are often outfitted with a freestanding island or seating. In smaller spaces, a peninsula may be attached to one side to provide seating and extra counter space while leaving a clearing for moving in and out of the kitchen. The smallest U-shaped kitchens might be built into three sides of a dedicated room with an entry door or cased opening on the fourth wall. 

Here are some tips for setting up your kitchen around a U-shaped layout that will help you to make it functional, stylish, and enjoyable to use. 

Central Dining Table

Design by Sara Simon of Handsome Salt / Photo by Jenny Siegwart

If your U-shaped kitchen is large enough, you can always install a kitchen island. But if your kitchen has enough counter space and storage around the periphery and enough depth or width in the center to add a seating area, some people find a dining table and chairs more comfortable than bar seating around an island. An antique or reproduction farmhouse table, or a sculptural live edge style dining table, has presence but a lighter profile, and can be changed out more easily if your tastes change. If you are choosing to include a central table, be sure you leave ample room for circulation and flow around the table.

Add Depth With Paint

Design by Whittney Parkinson Design

To prevent your U-shaped kitchen from feeling too boxy and one-note, add depth with dark paint on the far wall and/or the base of the kitchen island that will help create a focal point and define the space.

Pendant Lighting

Design by Whittney Parkinson Design

A large U-shaped kitchen can have a cavernous feel. Hanging pendant lighting above the island or dining area in the middle of the room will help define the seating area and fill some of the empty vertical space, making the kitchen feel more comfortable to spend time in.

Stay Neutral

Design by deVOL

While less common today, older homes and apartments often feature smaller self-contained rooms that house the kitchen. This might feel like a disadvantage in an era when open plan kitchens seem to dominate, but confining your kitchen to a single room with a U-shaped design has advantages. It means that everything will be within a few steps' reach, streamlining cooking and washing up. Keep a small U-shaped kitchen feeling light and airy with a limited palette of soft colors and neutrals.

Be Dramatic

Design by Laura Brophy Interiors

In a U-shaped kitchen with equal sides, add some low-key drama by creating a focal point on the far wall with a striking piece of slab stone above the stovetop, statement pendant lighting, striking tilework, or a large scale piece of art.

Open Shelving

Design by Latham Interiors

One way to keep a U-shaped kitchen from feeling claustrophobic is by adding open or floating shelves to the walls in place of cabinets. Be sure to keep open storage looking orderly with proper organization, and don't miss the styling opportunity to add colorful glass, accessories, artwork, or other decor elements to make the room feel homey and inviting.

Mixed Finishes

Design by Leclair Decor

Add interest and break up the boxiness of a U-shaped kitchen by mixing dark and light cabinetry, mixed metals, or a combination of glossy and matte finishes.

Round Table

Design by John Pawson for Living Architecture / Photo by Jack Hobhouse

A U-shaped kitchen with seamless built-in floor-to-ceiling storage can help you maintain an orderly and minimalist look. While many people choose to add a square or rectangular island or table to the center of a large U-shaped kitchen, one way to add visual interest, break up all those straight lines, and increase flow is to add a round table instead.

Monochromatic

Design by Kate Marker Interiors

U-shaped kitchens with long sides can feel cluttered with cabinets and appliances lining all three walls. Minimize visual clutter with an all-white palette, conceal appliances like the refrigerator behind built-in doors to match cabinetry, and incorporate wood accents on the flooring, kitchen island, or seating to add contrast.

Open and Shut

Design by Laura Brophy Interiors

Reduce visual clutter in a U-shaped kitchen with floor-to-ceiling built-in cabinetry on one of the walls that maximizes vertical space. A mix of open shelving and closed storage will keep it interesting and give you a chance to highlight objects you want seen and hide clutter behind cabinet doors.

Wraparound Seating

Design by Chelius House of Design

One disadvantage of island bar seating is the fact that you have to strain your neck to make eye contact with your dining companions. If your U-shaped kitchen is large enough and wide enough to accommodate a kitchen island, consider adding seating on two sides.

Peninsula

Design by Latham Interiors

If you a working with a U-shaped kitchen that has a narrow profile and a built-in peninsula, keep clutter to a minimum with under-counter storage and appliances, and leave the surface clear for dining and kitchen prep.

Negative Space

Design by Erin Williamson Design

Reduce visual clutter in a U-shaped kitchen with plenty of built-in cabinetry and open shelving to display decorative objects or house everyday items. But whenever possible be sure to leave some wall space free and clear, especially the space around windows. Leaving some negative space will allow the design to breathe and make the room more comfortable.

Banquette Seating

Design by Erin Williamson Design

In a long and spacious U-shaped kitchen, adding a banquette on the far wall adds comfort and means you can reduce visual clutter by adding fewer chairs. If you don't have the room for a banquette, try adding a space-saving bench.

Use Area Rugs

Designed by Velinda Helen Design for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

In a narrow U-shaped kitchen, adding area rugs to define the space can make it feel less like a corridor and more like a living space.

Guide to the 5 Most Common Kitchen Layouts

layout and placement of the corner set

The L-shaped layout of the kitchen is well suited for small and medium-sized spaces. This arrangement of furniture gives a certain convenience during cooking.

Reading: 4 minHeading: Kitchen DesignAuthor: Pavel Kuzmin


Those who were involved in the arrangement of the kitchen know that it is not as easy as it might seem, while a lot depends on the chosen layout of the room. It is she who forms the basis for the correct placement of furniture and appliances in the kitchen. An L-shaped kitchen is one of the most convenient layouts, since in this case the working triangle is located along two walls that adjoin each other perpendicularly. This allows you to create a comfortable space that meets all ergonomic requirements.

Contents

  1. L-shaped kitchen layout features
  2. Pros and cons
  3. L-shaped kitchen design

L-shaped kitchen layout features

This type of layout, also called corner kitchens, can be used for many kitchens . Here you can perfectly delimit the space, conveniently placing the working and dining area. Moreover, it should be noted that many types of kitchen sets are produced precisely with this layout in mind and are equipped with corner sections.

Properly selected furniture with such a layout largely solves the problem of arranging the kitchen. When choosing a set, special attention should be paid to the corner cabinet, as its design can be different. It usually has a slanted door to save space. But recently, more modern stylish models have appeared in which the door is installed at an angle and consists of two canvases fastened to each other with hinges.

Corner layout has undeniable advantages over other types of layouts, namely:

Along with these advantages, this layout also has minor disadvantages:

Design for an L-shaped kitchen

It is best to start the interior design of such a kitchen with a graphic sketch, drawing it on a piece of paper. This will help determine the proportions of the room and rationally allocate space for the main areas. It should be noted that every centimeter must be involved in the corner space so that it is as functional as possible.

It is recommended to place the kitchen set along two blank walls or alternatively: again along two walls, but one of which will have a window opening.

Refrigerator, sink and stove should be placed so that they form a working triangle, which will enable the hostess to comfortably manage in the kitchen. An ideal placement option when the sink is located between the refrigerator and the stove, but at short distances that overlap with countertops. In addition, this work area should be well lit, for which built-in spotlights are best suited.

In the event that a beautiful view opens from the kitchen window, it makes sense to equip the sink and hob under this window. Not only does it have a positive psychological effect, but also the work area will be immersed in the rays of natural light.

Corner space can be interestingly played up and made much more comfortable by using cabinets with open shelves. An alternative to this option can be various mechanisms and modules that modern L-shaped furniture sets for kitchens are equipped with. They are designed to store a lot of different things. Made in accordance with all the rules of ergonomics, roll-out drawers and pull-out shelves, "carousels" and bottle holders, make it possible to maximize the use of corner space with the greatest effect. Moreover, such a thing as hard-to-reach places in a cabinet ceases to exist, since you can get anything out of it without problems.

If you choose an L-shaped layout for your kitchen, you will have the opportunity to create a very cozy and comfortable interior.

L-shaped kitchen in interior design: layout options set

We design and select furniture in urban apartments, primarily based on the size of the room. A small kitchen imposes certain restrictions on us, often preventing us from fully realizing our design potential.

It is for such cases that manufacturers offer L-shaped kitchens. This design allows you to maximize the use of precious square meters of living space, conveniently arrange furniture and appliances, as well as arrange a full-fledged dining area.

Contents:

L-shaped layout suitable for spacious rooms. By arranging the work area along two perpendicular walls, you can achieve maximum freedom in placing other pieces of furniture.

So, if desired, in a spacious kitchen you can place a full-fledged dining table for several people, or a table with a sofa, and even an additional island kitchen with a worktop and lower drawers and shelves for utensils. A kitchen-living room with a corner arrangement of furniture in the working area will be a good option for interior design.

L-shaped kitchen layouts

In practice, you can find several options for arranging furniture along two connecting walls. It can be an L-shaped furniture set with a table top, built into the geometry of a closed corner, where all the furniture is located against the window. This option is often found in kitchens in small apartments, when a blank corner is mastered from the bottom up to maximize the use of free space.

The sets include a corner wall and floor cabinet, and a sink is located in the corner of the tabletop. To save space, a built-in hob is often chosen instead of a conventional gas or electric stove.

If space permits, you can omit the use of corner furniture by placing a few simple hanging cabinets in a row on one of the walls. Such a solution will allow you to get more "air" in the room, especially if you give preference to light shades of the headset - white, beige, ivory.

You can completely abandon the upper part of the kitchen, placing all the utensils, dishes, household appliances in the lower segment. A long wall will allow you to place several floor cabinets, the top of which will serve as the basis for a solid countertop.

This option provides the hostess with a large space for work and creativity, and the room will look spacious and harmonious. In the center of such a room, it is easy to install any version of the dining table and chairs, sofas and other pieces of furniture and household items.

Design features with a window

The design of an L-shaped kitchen can be done differently if there is a window in one of the perpendicular walls. This solution provides more convenience due to good natural light in the workspace.

The upper part of the suite - several hanging cabinets and shelves are usually located along a solid wall, while the lower extended part of the furniture is placed along both walls.

Under the window there is usually a work surface - a cutting board and a sink. The stove or hob, crockery and kitchen utensils are usually placed along the far wall.

The space above and near the window can also be used. For example, when implementing the Provence or Vintage style with a window, a wide massive solid wood shelf for ceramics is installed above it. It can perform both a decorative and practical function, serving as a container for dishes, earthenware, sets, flower pots, jars of spices, books - at the request of the owners.

Idea

Another interesting, modern and practical arrangement of the L-shaped suite is often used in studio apartments where it is necessary to divide and zone the space into a living space and a kitchen.

In this case, L-shaped furniture is installed in such a way that one of the sides of the right triangle adjoins only one wall, while the other plays the role of a kind of separator. It can also be a wall with a window, which is very convenient and functional.

Typically, the protruding part of an L-shaped set is a worktop that can be accessed from three sides at once. It can be used simultaneously as a work surface for cooking, as an impromptu bar counter for eating, placing several high chairs or stools along it.

L-plan kitchen styles

Regardless of the size and location of the room, most designers choose modern versions of the L-shaped kitchen. It can be both minimalism and functionalism, loft, Scandinavian and other styles.

This approach is explained by the fact that most kitchens with corner furniture are small in size. Classic headsets in a small kitchen will look somewhat cumbersome and impractical.

The best choice is a simple design set of rectangular shapes made of natural wood, laminated chipboard, as well as with plastic or acrylic facades.

The main functional load is assumed by the lower modules of the kitchens, in which dishes and utensils are rationally located. Appliances - ovens, stoves, dishwashers and refrigerators - it is better to choose a built-in type. This will save valuable technological space and create a sense of solidity and integrity of the design.

Idea

On one of the walls, you can place several hanging modules, the function of which will be both practical and decorative. Cabinets with facades made of furniture glass, showcases can be used to store beautiful sets, decorative plates and other interior accessories.

For loft-style rooms, a few simple shelves on the walls work well. They can be used to store spices, utensils, put live plants, books, decorative knick-knacks on them, creating the feeling of a homely living space.

For a more contemporary style, the interior can be decorated with round, flowing and streamlined shapes. Radial modules on the outer edges will not only look unusual, but will also provide additional security in everyday life, reducing the likelihood of injury when hitting the head against the corners of hanging furniture.

These modules are complemented by a countertop with a wave-like or concave design, where the main deflection is at the level of the sink or slab. Such a solution requires a fairly spacious room, since in a narrow space the consumption of additional square meters will not be justified.

Color solutions for design

There are no clear recommendations on which colors to use for L-shaped layout, it all depends on the creative idea of ​​the designer, as well as the direction of the world and other parameters of the room.

Both for spacious rooms and for small-sized kitchens, a versatile light set in a functional and concise style is well suited.

Tip

Light shades visually expand the space, create a feeling of "air" and freedom. You can enhance this feeling by using narrow floor modules. Their large number compensates for the lack of space and will allow you to place everything you need at your fingertips.

Another classic variant is noble wood furniture, which is successfully integrated into the corner geometry of a small kitchen. Noble shades of wood look good both in wall-mounted and floor modules. It can be combined with glossy and matte surfaces.

For example, a white marble top can be installed above wooden floor units, or darker porcelain stoneware can be used.

If you have built-in appliances, you can choose a worktop in a similar color - metal chrome or black. A product made of tempered glass, in which a hob of a similar design is built in, will look very stylish.

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