The kitchen is a very important part of the home and it is necessary to have a practical and functional popular kitchen layouts. While the space allotted for the kitchen matters a lot in this regard, it is also very important to consider the popular kitchen layout. Without an ideal layout, the kitchen may end up cramped and rough, regardless of the size of space allotted for the kitchen area.
The layout of a kitchen is more than simply putting pieces of furniture and cabinets in a corner, it also involves ensuring that comfort and ergonomics are achieved within the kitchen area. It involves ensuring easy movement around the kitchen, easy placement, and access to utensils and appliances as well as many other factors.
It is important to note that choosing the kitchen layout starts from the schematics and floor plan of the building. However, if you didn’t know anything about popular kitchen layouts when designing and building your home, you need not worry. There are other ways of optimizing the available space to allow for the ideal layout that works for you.
This article will review the popular kitchen layouts that you can adopt, and how each of these layout options fits different building types.
Popular Kitchen Layouts Types
You should know that there are only six kitchen layout options. These options include One Wall Kitchen, Galley Kitchen, L-Shaped Kitchen, U-Shaped Kitchen, Peninsula Kitchen, and Island Kitchen.
The One Wall Kitchen
To start with, this layout works perfectly well in buildings where small space is allotted for the kitchen area. This layout ensures that there is efficiency in the use of the small kitchen area without affecting its functionality. The main feature of the one-walled kitchen is that the cabinets and shelves get arranged against a single wall. This arrangement usually gives better aesthetics and this is due to the inclusion of the upper and lower cabinets.
To effect the one wall kitchen design, you have to see space vertically rather than horizontally. This perception helps you to understand that you have enough space (on the wall) to work with, and thus, you can fit in as many cabinets and shelves as you want.
Finally, you should understand that due to the small space issue, the conventional work triangle in the kitchen may not be feasible in this case.
The Galley Kitchen
This layout option uses cabinets and shelves to create efficient use of kitchen space. The layout involves two rows of cabinets facing one another. This arrangement creates a passage which is also known as a galley (hence the name of the layout) between the two rows of cabinets and shelves.
Because of this arrangement of cabinets, the kitchen would not need any corner cupboards and this frees up more space for other uses. Also, the layout prevents the extensive use of appliances which also makes it ideal for people looking for cost-effective options.
The galley kitchen layout offers more storage space and better work areas within the kitchen. This feature makes it
a better fit for large families or homes with many cooks. It reduces traffic and crowding around the work triangle in the kitchen.
The L-Shaped Kitchen
The first upside to the layout option is the fact that it is perfect for both small-sized and large kitchens. The shape L is formed as the layout requires that you arrange and install your shelves and cabinet along two perpendicular walls. The layout plan, to foster its practicality, also requires some smart corner cupboards and cabinet works.
Apart from the fact that it is ideal for both large and small-sized kitchens, you will also find that it allows for a flexible work zone and placement of appliances and kitchen equipment. The smart corner cupboard work mentioned earlier involved the installation of a walk-in pantry cupboard.
With this type of installation, you get to make the most of the corner space which is usually wasted in this case, and in the same breath, get a valuable addition to your kitchen.
The U-Shaped Kitchen
This layout plan works better with large kitchen areas. Instead of the two perpendicular walls used for installing and arranging cabinets under the L-Shaped Kitchen layout, this layout plan uses three adjacent walls. The first advantage of this layout option is the huge storage space that it offers. Imagine having cabinets along three walls!
However, despite the large size of the kitchen, this layout could cause an enclosed feeling if there are upper cabinets on the walls. Therefore, to avoid this feeling, you should only have open shelves and cabinets on only one or two walls (if you must have upper cabinets).
Another advantage is the fact that this layout option allows for multiple users in the kitchen at the same time and a better workflow between cooks. To get the best out of this layout, you need to keep windows open and uncluttered at all times.
The Island Kitchen
The island kitchen layout is very common among people with open-plan homes. The layout’s name stems from the fact that the work area or surface in this kitchen arrangement is situated in the middle of the kitchen area. The work area, also known as the island, can contain the cooking surface, a fridge, and a prep bowl.
The major advantage is that it is aesthetically pleasing and also allows for natural traffic around the kitchen. It is also the ideal option for families that loves to bond over food or its preparation process.
The Peninsula Kitchen
The peninsula kitchen layout is a modification of the island kitchen layout. From the work area situated in the center of the kitchen area, we have a counter jutting out. This counter could also jut out from a wall in the kitchen. The added advantage of this layout option is the maximization of space where the kitchen area cannot accommodate another independent island.
With this layout, the whole family can gather and eat while the cook is also busy in the same kitchen without disturbing each other.
