Design Tips for the Different Shapes and Layouts of Kitchens
The kitchen is the heart of a home and one of the most used rooms that unites the family members. A well-designed kitchen is also an inspiration for the cook at home and makes artistic food display an easier feat to achieve.
Here are some design tips for the different kitchen layouts.
The One-Wall Kitchen
These are combined spaces of kitchen, dining, and possibly the living room with no wall separators in between. This layout is in many modern, compact home designs, especially in apartments.
Tips: The long area along the kitchen will serve as your food prep, dining, cooking area and more thus furniture and floor selection must cater to the multi-functions. For a conducive and efficient workflow, place the basin in between the stovetop and the fridge. The basin serves as a separator between the hot and cold areas and gives space to the refrigerator to dissipate heat. Adding an island will increase the workspace.
The Galley
This layout is often a favourite with cooks as it consists of a back-to-back working space which, makes it convenient for meal preps and cooking. However, it is a narrow kitchen, and maximising such a small space can be tricky.
Tips: A brighter shade of floor and wall, coupled with downlights will make the long kitchen seem wider. Opt for open wall shelves on one side for extra storage without closing up the space with wall cabinets. Consider having a window at the end of the galley as a window can make a room appear spacious instantly.
The L-Shape
The L-shaped kitchen is one of the most classic layouts as it is adaptable to almost any kitchen size. It is easier to work in with separate workspace and cooking area. With the correct placing of the kitchen sink, refrigerator, and stove, the L-shaped kitchen has a practical and efficient workflow.
Tips: For small L-sized kitchens, place wall-hung cabinets as extra storage space to avoid clutter. For larger sized kitchens, a multi-purpose kitchen is possible by adding a dining table so that the cabinets will serve as a dining room buffet. Adding an island would provide an additional workspace that can be converted to a breakfast area or makeshift bar when needed.
The U-Shape
This layout is often seen in large kitchens and is often combined with the dining area. As its name suggests, the U-shaped kitchen comprises of workspace with three adjoining sides. They generally provide large working areas and storage space.
Tips: Make a statement out of the large kitchen space by matching similar shades of colours on the countertop and the floor. Lighter shades are best. Consider adding mosaic tiles on one or two sides as kitchen backsplash to liven up the space.
The Kitchen Island
Kitchen Island creates an open workspace in the kitchen. Islands tend to work best in an L-shaped kitchen. The island increases the functionality of a kitchen as it can be easily modified into different living spaces.
Tips: Place a couple of high chairs at the kitchen island to transform it into a multi-functional area – prep area, dining area, and a counter bar. To convert the island into an artistic feature or focus area, use patterned tiles on the floor.
Peninsula Kitchen
Different from the other layouts, the Peninsular kitchen is a 3-sided workspace kitchen, usually with one side against the wall. It is similar to the U-shaped kitchen but has a tail at one end of the cabinets creating an enclosed area.
Tips: To maximise the workspace and turn it into a multi-functional area, place wall-hung cabinets on the wall to free up space on the other sides. The open sides can then be used as a casual dining or breakfast area. For an elegant look, use large-sized floor tiles to emphasize the size of the kitchen further.
