LEARN ABOUT THE 5 FUNDAMENTAL KITCHEN

LAYOUTS, AND FIND OUT WHICH LAYOUT

WORKS BEST FOR YOU!
The kitchen layout is the shape that is made by the arrangement of the countertop,
major appliances, and storage areas. This floor plan creates the kitchen's work
triangle - the path that you make when moving from the refrigerator to the sink, to the
range to prepare a meal. When designing your new kitchen and choosing the best
cabinetry solutions for your home, one of the first considerations is the overall layout
of the kitchen.

There are five fundamental layouts for most kitchens - the G, L, U, single, and galley.
While certain floor plans create a more spacious, efficient kitchen, each kitchen
layout can be enhanced with the right cabinetry and decorative accents. Depending
on the overall size of your kitchen, a kitchen island can be added to many of these
layouts to expand storage and create additional counter space. The width of
walkways between cabinetry and the island is important and your kitchen designer
will help determine if you have enough space to accommodate an island. Kitchen
islands can be created in all shapes and sizes and you are not limited to a standard
square or rectangular shape.

Review the five basic kitchen layouts to identify which is most similar to your current
kitchen.  You and your kitchen designer may need to work within the space of your
current kitchen, OR you may decide to remove or reconfigure walls to expand the
space which would give you additional options for your kitchen layout.  When looking
at each layout, focus on the work triangle created in the room - you may find a
kitchen floor plan that you prefer over your own.  Keep in mind - even if you're not
making significant structural changes to the kitchen, you can still enhance the layout
with the right cabinetry.  

Whatever you decide, we recommend working with a kitchen designer to select

the cabinetry and create a kitchen that works best for you.

THE L-SHAPED KITCHEN:

In an L-shaped kitchen layout, a natural work triangle is created from continuous
counter space and work stations on two adjacent walls.  The benefit of this kitchen
floor plan is that it not only provides the cook with an efficient work area, but it
typically opens to a nearby room, making it easy for the cook to interact with guests.

THE U-SHAPED KITCHEN:

The U-shaped kitchen design is the most versatile layout for kitchens large and small
because the layout offers continuous countertops and ample storage, which surround
the cook on three sides.  In larger kitchens, this floor plan is spacious enough to be
divided into multiple work stations for cooks to easily prepare a meal together without
getting in each other's way.

How to enhance the U-shaped kitchen layout:

To maximize storage and keep countertops clutter-free, conceal the microwave in a

base or wall cabinet and store large cooking essentials in a corner lazy susan.

THE G-SHAPED KITCHEN:

The G-shaped kitchen layout is a version of the U-shaped kitchen layout, with the
same amount of counter space and storage options that surround the cook on three
sides.  However, the difference with the G-shaped kitchen floor plan is the peninsula
or partial fourth wall of additional cabinets.

How to enhance the G-shaped kitchen layout: 

Depending on the size of the kitchen, G-shaped kitchens can seem cramped.  To
make the room feel more spacious, open up the wall in a nearby room, and create a
pass-through or breakfast bar for the family.

THE SINGLE-WALL (OR STRAIGHT KITCHEN):

he single-wall kitchen floor plan is ideal for smaller homes.  The work triangle in this
kitchen layout is less like a triangle and more of a work line with all three kitchen
zones along one wall.

How to enhance the Single-wall kitchen:

Add additional storage and maximize the space by stacking cabinetry such as the
wall pantry pull-out above the base pantry pull-out.

THE GALLEY KITCHEN (OR CORRIDOR KITCHEN):

The galley kitchen layout has a workspace large enough for one cook.  In this kitchen
floor plan, the work stations face each other on parallel walls, creating a small work
triangle.  

How to enhance the Galley kitchen:

Similar to the single-wall kitchen floor plan, stack storage solutions to maximize

space.  If possible, add a pass-through or remove a wall to open the kitchen, but still
allow for base cabinetry and countertop space.

What makes a good kitchen?

The aim of a great kitchen design is to maximize counter space and
storage and be a pleasure to use.
 Sufficient storage in the right places.
 Sufficient counter space in the right places.
 An efficient working area.
 An appropriate amount of appliances for the size.  If you have a
small kitchen then don’t sacrifice counter space and storage for
a steam oven and warmer drawer.
 Access to natural light and well lit.
 The level of ‘kitchen working area privacy’ is right for you. 
Some people want a kitchen with a table in the middle of the
action.  Others prefer the kitchen work area to be out of view
from the eating area and to be able to get a bit of peace in the
kitchen.
 The kitchen is fairly near an entrance to allow groceries to be
brought into the kitchen easily.
Kitchen design mistakes
Here are a few kitchen calamities to avoid...
 An island that interrupts the work triangle.  It’s a long way to
walk from the refrigerator to the sink.

 A tall unit that interrupts counter space flow.  Counter space is

golden in kitchens so don’t interrupt all that flowing flat
countertop with a tall unit in the middle.

 Large kitchens with enormous work triangles.  This is the same

arrangement as above except without the island.  Now that the
obstruction is gone it still has the problem of an enormous work
 triangle – you’d walk 10 miles each meal with this kitchen
design.

Circulation cutting through the work triangle. If you can make your
kitchen the road to nowhere.  Accidents happen when cooking and
foot traffic mix.

Kitchen Design Observations

I like cruising Houzz as much as anyone and here's a collection of
kitchen layouts with a few comments, all to illustrate some of the
ideas made on this page.

More kitchen design for you...

It's not really a kitchen triangle, is it?

Kitchen Dimensions and Planning Guidelines

Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions

Kitchen Layout Ideas

U-Shaped Kitchens

G-Shaped Kitchens

Galley Kitchens
 L-Shaped Kitchens

Kitchens With Islands

Kitchen Island Designs

How to design a kitchen

Kitchen storage solutions

More kitchen storage ideas

 Kitchen lighting ideas

More room design for you...

Living Room Layout

Bathroom Layout

Kitchen Layout

Dining Room Design

 Bedroom Design

Closet Design

Laundry Room Design

Home Office / Study Design

Entry & Foyer Design

Staircase Design
 Garage Design

The Kitchen Layout

ayout makes meal preparation easy and fast. It Simpie d savese diidenergy. Ihe kitchen is the work
center for meal preparation. It is the neartorto009evicedrestaurent1ts production and manufacturing
department. To make meal prepataoroeertdna enjoyable, the kitchen should be well-organized and its
work should be property ditaniged.
in the plan of the house or a food establishment, the kitchen should be placed in an area WnereIs easiy
accessible to the dining room and living room. It has to have a front doof dnd oack C0or1Or entrance
and exit that Would facilitate the bringing of food to the dining area and receiVIngpurchases and
deliveries at the back door. Remember that doors should not biock tne equipmentand work areas nor
should major equipment be placed beside the door. it should nave windovws forSurhcient ventilation.
The arrangement of equipment, cabinets, work spaces, and counters snouldprovide an efficient flow of
work trom washing cutting ingredientS, to mixing. cooking, ana seving
The best location of the kitchen should be at the coldest side of the house to counter theheat generated
by cooking. it should neither be too big as to taking extra steps in going tromone workcenter to another
nor too small as to causing congestion and discomfort while working.The important consideration is that
it allows suficient space for the required number of workersappropriate to the quantity of preparation or
cooking load of the food establishment.The size of the kitchen in a food establishment is determined by
the type of operation (Doesit serve major meal and snacks?), the menu ofered (is there a wide variety
of dishes?), the customerload (How many customers are seated at one time, and the extent to which
the foods prepared or
partially prepared are used.

Top tips to get the kitchen

layout you need
Getting your kitchen layout right is the most important factor in
ensuring a functional and practical kitchen area. Whether your
kitchen is small and cramped or large and expansive, a clever layout
will make all the difference in helping you to get the most out of the
space. Especially in a kitchen, there is a lot more to layout than just
placing furniture and cabinetry: ergonomics has a huge role to play
as well. Getting the heights right, ensuring enough space for
comfortable movement, placement of appliances, and ease of use are
all going to factor in your enjoyment of the room.

While the floorplan of your home will most likely determine the
layout that your kitchen will have, you can always optimize the area
to work better. Here are the most commonly found kitchen layouts,
with tips to help you do just that.

Kitchen Ergonomics 101

Let’s first give a quick overview of kitchen ergonomics, which
forms the basis of great kitchen design. Ergonomics is the science of
designing the environment to fit the people that use them, not the
people to fit the environment.
The Work Triangle

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 area for food preparation (stovetop), the
cleaning area (kitchen sink), and the food storage area (refrigerator).

The Principles of the Kitchen Work Triangle:

• The length of each triangle leg is between 1.2 and 2.7m

• The combined length of the three legs should be between 4m and
7.9m
• There should not be any appliances or cabinetry intersecting any of
the legs of the triangle
• There should not be any major traffic through the triangle
For maximum kitchen efficiency and usability, the basic guidelines*
below should be applied:

• Entry doors to the kitchen should be at least 812mm wide

• An entry door should not interfere with the safe operation of any
appliances, and appliance doors should not interfere with one
another
• The length of work aisles should be at least 1060mm for single
cook kitchens, and 1220mm for multiple cook kitchens
• Walkways should be at least 915mm wide
• In a seating area where there is no traffic behind the seat, a clear
walkway of 915mm should be allowed from the table or counter
edge to the edge behind it.
• Seating should be a minimum of 610mm wide for each person.
Allow a 460mm leg clearance at a table that is 760mm high; 380mm
clearance at a kitchen counter (914mm high); and 305mm at bar
counter (1066mm high).
• If there is only one sink, it should be located next to or across from
the stovetop and fridge.
• A sink should be flanked by a minimum 610mm landing area, with
460mm on either side.
• A primary work surface of at least 760mm wide and 600mm deep
should be next to the sink
• A dishwasher should be placed within 900mm from a sink
• There should be a landing space of at least 380mm next to the
handle side of the fridge or one no more than 1200mm opposite the
fridge
• The cooking surface should have minimum landing areas of
300mm on the one side and 380mm on the other side.
• There should be a minimum of 600mm between the cooking
surface and the non-combustible surface above it.
• Provide a cooking ventilation system above all cooking surface
appliances.
• Do not locate the cooking surface under an operable window and
provide a fire extinguisher near the kitchen’s exit, away from
cooking equipment.
• Microwave ovens should be placed based on the user’s
requirements, with 75mm below shoulder height being ideal.
• Provide a landing area of at least 380mm above, below, or next to
the microwave oven.
• Provide a landing area of at least 380mm next to the oven or one
no more than 1200mm opposite the oven.
• Landing space required for adjacent appliances may be combined
by taking the greater requirement and adding 300mm.
• A total of 4000mm countertop space at 600mm deep, with 380mm
high clearance, is required to accommodate all storage, preparation,
landing, and work areas.
• In addition to general lighting, each work surface should be well lit
by appropriate task lighting.

*From the guidelines set out by the National Kitchen and Bath
Association

 The 6 Most Popular Kitchen Layout Types

1. The One Wall Kitchen
Usually found in smaller kitchens, this simple layout is space-
efficient without giving up on functionality. Consisting of cabinets
installed against a single wall, the One Wall Kitchen can have upper
and lower cabinets or shelving over base cabinets, creating a clean
aesthetic.

How to Make A One-Wall Kitchen Layout Work:

Think vertical. You only have so much width to work with, so taking
your cabinets up as far as possible will help create extra storage
space. While the traditional work triangle is not possible in a one-
wall kitchen, try to put your fridge on one end, oven and hob in the
middle, and the sink at the other end. If your cabinets do not go up to
the ceiling, utilize the space above them by storing lesser-used items
there. Alternatively, you can use this space as a display area to
strengthen the theme of your kitchen.
2. The Galley Kitchen

With very economical use of cabinets, the galley kitchen consists of

two rows of cabinets facing each other, creating an inner passage or
galley between them. By eliminating the need for corner cupboards,
this type of layout uses every millimeter of space without wastage.
The uncomplicated design also means that there are fewer special
gadgets necessary, making this a cost-efficient option as well.

How to Make A Galley Kitchen Layout Work:

With an additional row of cabinetry, the galley kitchen already offers
more flexibility when it comes to storage space. Especially for
bigger families or multiple-cook kitchens, it is important to have the
work areas along only one of the walls, not both. This will help you
to avoid traffic through the work triangle and eliminate the risk of
injury.
3. The L-Shaped Kitchen

A practical layout option for small and large kitchens, the L-shaped

kitchen has cabinets along two perpendicular walls. Although the
corner necessitates some clever cabinetry solutions to make it
practical, the open plan design of the L-shaped kitchen offers great
flexibility in the placement of appliances and work zones. While you
can have the legs of the L as long as space allows, it is best to keep it
to less than 4.5m for ease of use.

How to Make A L-shaped Kitchen Layout Work:

Where space allows, make the most of the corner by installing
a walk-in pantry cupboard. This way you won’t lose the valuable
space that is usually lost in a corner, and you gain a huge asset to
your kitchen. With an L-shaped kitchen, you may even be able to
create a small breakfast nook in the opposite corner, further
increasing your family’s enjoyment of the room.
4. The U-Shaped Kitchen

A great layout for larger kitchens, the U-shaped kitchen consists of

cabinetry along three adjacent walls. This type of layout provides
plenty of storage but can feel enclosed if there are upper cabinets on
all three walls. To avoid this, choose upper cabinets along only one
or two walls, with open shelving, focal tiles, or a hob hood on the
other. The U shaped kitchen allows for great workflow and multiple
users at the same time.
How to Make A U-Shaped Kitchen Layout Work:
Keep window areas open and uncluttered in a U-shaped kitchen.
This type of kitchen layout provides the perfect opportunity for an
uninterrupted work triangle so make the best use of the space by
having the work areas on the opposite end of the back- and entry
doors.
5. The Island Kitchen

A very popular choice in open-plan homes, the island

kitchen provides a large work surface or storage area in the middle
of the kitchen. The island can incorporate a cooking surface, prep
bowl, and bar or wine fridge. It can also be used simply as a
preparation area or for enjoying family meals. While the kitchen has
to be big enough to incorporate an island, its placement is a great
way to create a natural traffic flow in the area.

How to Make An Island Kitchen Layout Work:

Utilize the island as both work- and social area where family and
friends can interact while meals are being prepared. Because of its
location in the center of the kitchen, it is a great place to install
prominent decorative lighting that can also serve as task lighting.
6. The Peninsula Kitchen

The peninsula is related to the island kitchen and incorporates a

kitchen counter that juts out from a wall or cabinetry. This is a great
solution that offers the benefits of a kitchen island where space
doesn’t allow for an independent island to be installed. The
peninsula can be used for food preparation, eating, or other tasks
while the cook is busy with meal preparation.

How to Make A Peninsula Kitchen Layout Work:

As with the island kitchen, the peninsula offers a great opportunity
for interaction during meal preparation. It is a great solution for a
small enclosed kitchen, where a wall can be removed to open the
area up to an adjacent room without giving up on storage space
Please refer to page 127 and read Designing a Kitchen Layout 

1. Provide for continuous flow of materials.

2. Have all operations on the same floor level for it is much easier and faster.

3. Minimize the distance between cooking and the point of service

4. Arrange compact work centers in the preparation and cooking centers.

5. Design for efficient traffic flow, delivery, and pick up.

6. provide a working condition that encourages productivity.

7. Design for sanitation and safety.