Design Style

Kitchen Design Basics

Typical Kitchen Layouts

The kitchen layout is the shape that is made by the arrangement of the countertop, major appliances and storage areas.

When you start to visualize the kitchen of your dreams and want to make it reality, you’ll find that kitchens generally fall into one of the design layouts shown here. Let these layouts be your guide as you plan your space and know that Royal Sheffield will provide maximum functionality and beauty for the way you want to live in your space.

U-Shaped

The U-shaped kitchen layout is a useful and versatile layout for a small, medium or large kitchen. A U-shaped kitchen consists of work space on three adjoining walls, two parallel walls perpendicular to a third. There are no traffic lanes flowing through the work area. It is an efficient design that frees up floor space. When designing u-shaped kitchens, try to place the most used appliances or work areas into a single triangle of space.

L-Shaped

The L-shaped kitchen layout is one of the standard kitchen layouts that decades of ergonomic research developed. This layout is one of the most popular and versatile kitchen layouts. An L-shaped kitchen consists of work space on two adjoining walls perpendicular to each other. The L-shaped kitchen layout offers flexibility for both large and small homes. This shape minimizes traffic through the kitchen and, typically, features larger expanses of countertops, allowing ease of preparation at mealtime. This plan works well when the kitchen adjoins a casual space. Introducing an island to an L-shaped kitchen is ideal for entertaining. It allows guests or family members to help in preparation or just visit.

G-Shaped

A G-shaped kitchen is the term used to describe a cabinetry configuration that has a preparation-area peninsula and four walls of storage. G-shaped designs also increase the number of base cabinets that can be included which increases storage space while streamlining the cooking area. A modified “U” shape, the G-shaped kitchen layout is very efficient. This kitchen design works best when one or more of the walls are designed as half or “pony” walls, so that the kitchen still has a feeling of openness for the cook.

Single Wall

A one-wall kitchen is a kitchen that is all built into one linear wall. These types of kitchens are found typically in small homes and efficiency apartments to conserve floor space and construction costs. A one-wall kitchen has all appliances, cabinets and countertops on one wall.

Galley

The galley or corridor kitchen layout is one of the standard kitchen layouts that decades of ergonomic research developed. This layout is the most efficient layout for a thin kitchen space. A galley kitchen consists of work space on two opposing walls. There is a single traffic lane between them. Open on both ends, a galley kitchen design requires a minimum corridor width of 48” so that the cook can easily maneuver during meal preparation. Typically, appliances are near one another which is convenient, especially because most of the household traffic will pass through the corridor.