The functionality and convenience of your kitchen are dependent on its proper layout. Furthermore, the efficiency of the kitchen layout will depend on the correct proximity of the three major function areas of the kitchen to each other, which are the storage, washing, and cooking represented by the fridge, sink, and stove, respectively. Think of these three spots as occupying an imaginary triangle formed by the three points. The kitchen will also be more efficient if there is no blockage on each of the lines on the imaginary triangle. Consider these concepts in relaying out your kitchen and in your kitchen remodeling to get the best results.
5 Different Kitchen Layouts
It is important to know different kitchen layout designs and understand the idea behind them so you can choose the layout suitable for your home especially if you are looking at a kitchen remodeling project.
1. I-Shaped Kitchen
Also called the single-wall kitchen, I-shaped kitchen is a simple type of layout where the major functions are in a straight working line fixed along the wall, making it a compact kitchen.
Pros:
- The compact design of this kitchen makes it extremely space-saving and is a perfect choice for small homes.
- With its straight working line, it offers great practicality for daily use.
Cons:
- The limited space in an I-shaped kitchen translates to poor capability to store all kitchen or food items.
- To address this issue, you’ll need to install more tall cabinets or hanging cabinets to store things vertically, making the storage difficult to reach.
2. L-Shaped Kitchen
The most popular kitchen layout, L-shaped kitchen is based on two adjoining walls perpendicular to each other forming the L-shape. This type of kitchen is great for any size of kitchen and features an efficient work flow or triangle.
Pros:
- The kitchen layout takes advantage of the corner to extend the countertop and storage.
- Its open-plan design offers a flexible cooking area, which is useful when you need someone to assist you in your kitchen work.
Con:
- The corner area in this layout easily hides dirt after daily use; it is hard to clean up because of its shape.
3. U-Shaped Kitchen
This kitchen layout takes a U-shape. It is based on two adjacent walls perpendicular to each other and an extra countertop parallel to one of the walls. The kitchen surrounds the cook. It is perfect for medium or large kitchen spaces and offers an ideal work triangle to make cooking convenient.
Pros:
- The layout with its wide space for countertop provides a sufficient area to finish cooking.
- It extends the storage space by allowing more cabinets to be installed. You can also add a small dining table to this type of kitchen.
Cons:
- It is not suitable for narrow spaces; it will make the area more cramped and restrict the movement of the cook.
- The layout will also cause traffic to be restricted if there is more than one cook
4. Island Kitchen
This kitchen is also known as the peninsula kitchen. It can be considered an improvement of the I, L, or U shape kitchens with the addition of a kitchen island to the original layout. Its popularity is growing because of its great functionality.
Pro:
- You can be creative with the island customizing it to expand the storage area, extend the countertop or utilize it as a dining area depending on your need.
Cons:
- The extra island would make the kitchen narrower.
- It may ruin the work flow or triangle. It may cause inconvenience if the island is installed in an inappropriate spot.
5. F-Shaped Kitchen
An unusual kitchen layout compared to the other four layouts, it always connects the cooking area to the dining area. A larger room is required for an F-shaped kitchen
Pros:
- This kitchen layout is like a complement of the U-shaped kitchen. It combines the kitchen with the dining room to make cooking and ding in a row.
- It also provides more space for storage as more cabinets are installed.
Cons:
- The layout requires a lot of space to set up and is hard to remodel.
- Grease and smoke from cooking could make the dining area dirtier over time, making cleaning a challenge.
When doing kitchen remodeling, choosing the perfect layout solution can be a challenge. Focus on the actual applicable space and your cooking habit when considering a kitchen layout.
The professionals at 215 Mercury can help guide you to choose the right kitchen layout design for you and offer you the plan that’s best for your home. Call us to know how we can work together to build your dream kitchen through kitchen remodeling.
