Adding Appeal to Any Kitchen Layout
There’s no such thing as a universal kitchen layout. Homes are unique and have many different kinds of kitchen layouts, which all have different advantages and disadvantages depending on who you ask. Identifying what kind of layout you have and what qualities it offers is important for understanding how to renovate or upgrade the space. Use the shape of your kitchen to your advantage with this easy guide on kitchen layouts.
Galley Kitchen
Taking their name from the cooking spaces on ships, galley kitchens condense all the elements into a small space. Typically, they look like a small hallway with cabinets and appliances on both sides. Galley kitchens are great for small homes or casual cooks, but due to their size they can also feel cramped and dark. Small touches like floorboards that run lengthwise can make the space feel larger, and strategically-placed lighting will brighten up the dark areas. Adding more counter and storage space elevates the functionality of the kitchen, as does getting rid of unnecessary clutter. In terms of cabinet doors, we recommend a simple design in a light finish so that the doors blend into the space rather than standing out and making it feel smaller. Glass-front doors are also great in galley kitchens.
One Wall Kitchen
Another way to save space in a small home is to put the entire kitchen along one linear wall, often joined to a dining or living room. Since these spaces may have even less workspace than a galley kitchen, use compact appliances to maximize your counter space. You can also consider if anything typically left on the counter can be hung up, like a hanging basket for fruit or a shelf for spices. Running cabinets along the length of the wall and all the way to the ceilings maximizes the available storage space. Unlike separate kitchen spaces, one-wall kitchens integrate with other rooms and are highly visible, especially the cabinet doors. Therefore, consider using a bold style or a bright color that draws the eye towards the kitchen.
U-Shaped Kitchen
Kitchens with cabinets and appliances on three walls give homeowners the most counter space to work with, as long as the elements are arranged correctly. If possible, place the stove and fridge at the ends of the “U” on opposite sides so that the rest of the space is uninterrupted counter top (plus sink). Adding an island creates more room for prepping, cooking, and storing, and installing lights under the cabinets makes the room feel warmer. Almost any kind of cabinets work well in this kitchen layout, just be sure you love the style, color, and hardware you choose because you will be literally surrounded by the cabinet doors.
L-Shaped Kitchen
You see L-shaped kitchen layouts in both old and new homes because this design offers plenty of functional space within an open layout that facilitates traffic flow. The only tricky part is ensuring the most important elements – the fridge, sink, and stove – are arranged correctly. Ideally, they form a triangle shape. For instance, the fridge and sink are at opposite ends of the L with the stove in the corner between them. Most kitchen designs use this triangle technique because it optimize the use of the space and simply makes cooking and cleaning a lot easier. Cabinet doors in a dark stain or paint color work well in these kitchens as a contrast to the bright, open space around them.
Island Kitchen
A kitchen island is “must have” for a lot of homeowners, and it’s easy to see why. They offer tons of functional space, make use of kitchen square footage that would be wasted otherwise, and add a compelling design element to the kitchen. What your new or remodeled island includes is entirely up to you. If you want some flexibility, consider mounting it on rollers so you can move it wherever you need it. When you have too much kitchen clutter, use island cabinets to hide all of it away. Most homeowners use the same doors on the islands and cabinets, or you can contrast them to make the island the focal point of the room.
G-Shaped Kitchen
This type of kitchen layout is similar to a u-shaped kitchen but with counter tops that form a small fourth wall – similar to the letter G. More homeowners are building g-shaped kitchens because they offer ample amounts of counter and cabinet space. They’re also ideal for homes with an open concept because they create a separate “room” for the kitchen layoutwithout closing it off from the rest of the home. With so much space at your disposal, consider putting in extra appliances or using one of the counter tops as an eating space. From a design perspective, the sky is the limit. Modern and classic style cabinet doors work equally well in these kitchens no matter what finish is applied.
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