The U-shape Arguably the most versatile design for any size kitchen, a U-shaped floor plan surrounds the user on three sides, thus allowing for longer countertops and additional storage cabinets. The L-shaped kitchen is one of the most popular designs because it is super functional and can be adapted to spaces of almost any size. As the name implies, an L-shaped design features cabinets and appliances along two adjacent walls, creating an obvious triangular path between work zones. Unlike a galley kitchen, an L-shaped kitchen rarely requires non-cooks to have to walk through the space, but there is certainly more room for additional cooks with this design.
The length of the two walls need not be equal, but if the room is quite large, this design can be further optimized with a central island. The island kitchen is the preferred open-plan design these days, especially in larger spaces. Not only does the island allow easy circulation around the kitchen and living areas, it can also function as a breakfast bar and counter space. It can house appliances such as a stove, dishwasher, or sink, making it easy to create the ultimate work triangle.
Designs best suited for large kitchens include the U-shaped and island design, the G-shaped design and the L-shaped and island design. Any of these fit perfectly into large spaces to accommodate large groups of family or friends. The work triangle was devised in the 1920s as one of the first measures of efficiency in a residential kitchen. The triangle creates a clear path between the food preparation area (countertop), the cleaning area (kitchen sink) and the food storage area (refrigerator).
With very economical use of cabinets, the kitchen kitchen consists of two rows of cabinets facing each other, creating an interior passage or galley between them. By eliminating the need for corner cabinets, this type of design uses every millimeter of space without wasting. The simple design also means fewer special devices are needed, which also makes it a cost-effective option. The U-shaped design is the most versatile design for large and small kitchens.
Surrounds the kitchen everywhere and allows ample counter space and storage. The U-shaped kitchen creates an efficient work triangle and creates a large amount of storage space. This arrangement is suitable for separating the cooking space from the dining space. U-shaped design is ideal for creating large amounts of storage space.
If you have a huge kitchen and need space, storage, and a place to eat, the U-shape is perfect as it offers counters and workspaces on 3 walls and there is still the option of adding an island in the middle. Essentially, the U-shaped kitchen can offer the best of both worlds. You'll have all the space you need to make sure you can use the kitchen to its full potential, perhaps separating the cooking and prep areas and giving yourself ample storage space, but the space in between is yours to play with. This is ideal for the homeowner who likes not only spending a lot of time in the kitchen preparing meals and baking, but also sees it as a common family room where everyone can gather.
The difference between the L-shaped kitchen design and the U-shaped design can be seen in the shape of the letter: with the L-shape you lose a wall of counters and storage. This is ideal for single occupants with small, separate kitchens, as it makes the most of the available space while maximizing corner space. This dead-end approach is ideal for those who want to cook in privacy, but if you don't want the family to be left out and you like the idea of children stopping by to watch dinner, the next option might be for you. To be honest, this approach to kitchen design has gone out of style in recent years because the strict shape and sense of closure don't suit open-plan living.
However, galley kitchens in the right house have a lot of advantages. First of all, they can provide a two-wall approach to storage and installations in a small space. Everything a home cook needs is available on both sides, but it's still a great way to save kitchen space with minimal room to move. Secondly, the long walkway between the two work areas can open up the space on either side, allowing for a steady flow of traffic between the backyard and dining area and a sense of community.
Island kitchens are incredibly popular because not only do they offer a wealth of new design options for new construction and renovations, but they can also improve on the designs mentioned above. An island can give great depth and opportunity to an L-shaped kitchen and a new purpose to a galley kitchen, provided that both spaces are spacious enough to accommodate them.
Kitchens
are often cramped, but in a larger room, an island provides a stopping point in the middle for families to sit. In other kitchens, such as large U-shaped kitchens, islands can be a big focal point in the middle of a large, dominant kitchen.Some kitchens that are short on space can use them to prepare, while others will get an alternative dining area. As the name suggests, when you add a peninsula to a kitchen, you're actually adding an island that's connected to the rest of the kitchen. The result is often referred to as a horseshoe shape, but it's also a bit like having the counter space of the kitchen layout U-shaped, just without the wall behind it. This is ideal for homes that really want an island to work or eat, but don't really have the space to build one in the middle of the room.
This approach has limitations in terms of use and accessibility, but it can be a big commitment to improving a small L-shaped design. Last but not least, we came up with a kitchen design idea that is probably the most extravagant of all. If you are planning to create a huge kitchen in your new home and you have a large open space in between, there are two approaches to filling it. You can go for a traditional island kitchen design or you can have two islands.
The two-island kitchen design makes a lot of sense in large spaces because a large island can be impractical. The question is, if you divide the space in two and have two separate islands, will you use both? There are a lot of options and design ideas to play with when considering two islands. You could have an island for cooking and another for eating, or maybe one for children to spoil and another for them to keep well. The idea is attractive but requires a lot of reflection.
Check out the Luxury Kitchen Designer article for more double island kitchen ideas. The examples above give an idea of the most popular and traditional approaches to designing a kitchen and should inspire you a little. If you need more help planning your renovation, check out the article “9 Easy Steps to Remodeling a Kitchen” we wrote. Be sure to consider the best option for the dimensions of your kitchen space, think about the potential of adding an island or peninsula to the layout, and take the time to understand what you really want from your new kitchen.
Just because the images of the elegant two-island kitchens look amazing in the brochures, does not mean that they will work for you. Many kitchen cabinet manufacturers have combined base and wall cabinet sets that form the basis of the L-shaped kitchen design. This design lends itself to a zoned approach to kitchen planning rather than the more traditional approach of the work triangle. Whether your island becomes a washing area, a preparation zone or a cooking zone, you can create an efficient work triangle very easily in an island kitchen.
Ideal for studio apartments and small living spaces, the one-wall kitchen is discreet and hidden. Selecting a layout for your large kitchen is probably the most important part of the entire kitchen design process. The U-shaped, or horseshoe, kitchen adds a third wall to the L-shaped design, which surrounds the kitchen with workspace on all three sides and provides a seamless countertop and storage space. It's also much more “open” than any other design, allowing you to move more freely and incorporate more than one cook into the kitchen, without feeling too tight.
It is a great solution for a small closed kitchen, where a wall can be removed to open the area to an adjacent room without giving up storage space. The key is to know the basics of kitchen design and choose the layout that best suits your space and your cooking habits. First let's give a quick overview of kitchen ergonomics, which forms the basis of excellent kitchen design. Peninsula cookers create a U-shape, but differ from U-shaped cookers because the third side is fully open and accessible from three sides.
Usually found in smaller kitchens, this simple design saves space without sacrificing functionality. Closed kitchens are more formal and can limit the amount of socializing you have while preparing meals and entertaining guests. The downside is that open kitchens can make your home look cluttered and maintenance free if not cleaned regularly. While the traditional work triangle isn't possible in a single-wall kitchen, try putting the fridge at one end, the oven and hob in the center, and the sink at the other end.
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