Shapely Kitchens

Kitchens come in all sizes, but what about shapes? Here are seven classic kitchen layouts to help you pick the perfect one for your space and needs.

By Kate Schwartz

It’s easy to sum up most people’s wishes for a new kitchen: no more laminate. But granite countertops and cherry cabinets won’t mean squat if your kitchen is a pain to work in, like that counter edge you bump every time you walk to the fridge, which is too far from your prep area. Or squeezing past your spouse when you work in too-narrow aisles.

That’s why kitchen layout—where you place appliances, sink and prep space—is crucial. The seven designs featured here are structured around the classic “work triangle,” defined by the National Kitchen & Bath Association as an imaginary straight line drawn from the center of the sink to the center of the range to the center of the refrigerator and back to the sink.

Though the triangle is imaginary, the reasons for incorporating it into your design are quite real: It ensures a safe distance between major workstations and helps create a logical traffic flow when you fill the spaghetti pot in the sink, transport it to the stove and grab the Parmesan from the fridge.

Whether you’re remodeling or building from scratch, understanding the benefits and limitations of different kitchen layouts will facilitate your ability to use your space more effectively. Get started with these classic designs:

Wall Kitchen

The most basic layout, the wall kitchen isn’t flashy but it is functional: The sink is placed in the middle of the wall and flanked by the dishwasher and range. All cabinetry, countertops and appliances are housed along one wall, collapsing the triangle into a long line, which makes it “very efficient for a one-cook kitchen,” says Kim Foutz, a designer for Caruso Kitchens in Boulder and Wheat Ridge who has designed kitchens for 15 years.

If you can eke out the space, turning this kitchen into a small L or U will increase your countertop and cabinet space; if not, it’s best to locate everything on a wall free of windows or doors. This layout typically features a bar island for an eating area, which can also be used for storage if cabinetry is at a minimum.

Corridor Kitchen

If you’ve lived in an apartment, chances are you’ve whipped up macaroni and cheese in a corridor kitchen. Consisting of two parallel walls, this layout trumps the wall kitchen in terms of space, as most corridors benefit from two sets of counter­tops, extra cabinetry and a smaller distance between the legs of the all-important triangle.

“The challenge for these kitchens can be fitting all the modern appliances into the space, which often has two doorways leading in and out, as well as a window, which can cut down on the placement of double ovens,” Foutz says. “The doorways can also cause a heavy amount of foot traffic to cross the cook’s work triangle.” De­-pend­ing on the width of your aisles, this could be a tight squeeze for two—and it certainly doesn’t allow for in-kitchen entertaining.

Galley Kitchen

A galley kitchen is nearly identical to the corridor, but only one of its two ends is open. This limits traffic flow, making for fewer interruptions by passing-by family members and guests. There’s little-to-no room for in-kitchen entertaining, however, so many designers recommend adding a bar island that can also house the sink.

L-Shaped Kitchen

This popular kitchen layout relies on adjacent walls, but let’s hope your boots are made for walking, as the varying sizes of the longest leg can result in a longer distance between the range and refrigerator.

The L’s elbow can also be a tricky space to fully utilize: The meeting of the two countertops often makes for very deep cabinetry that can suck pots, pans and glasses into a black hole. Using a Lazy Susan or other cabinetry insert here will allow you to maximize storage and ease of access. You can also opt for a second sink in the corner space. This often-open layout is a good bet for families, as it usually has space for a table and chairs.

U-Shaped Kitchen

This versatile design makes for a great work space, regardless of how small or large your room is. The U shape typically gives a cook one more bank of cabinets than the L design, resulting in more counter space and often more wall cabinet storage if the room is slightly more enclosed.

“This plan will have two corners to contend with, which can be best utilized with Lazy Susans or wire-storage systems available for blind corners,” Foutz says. If your space is open enough, one of the legs can double as a breakfast bar, which allows guests to easily chat with cooks, but stay out of their way. The U’s contained work space also means you won’t have passing traffic to contend with.

G-Shaped Kitchen

Basically a U shape with a little something extra, the G-shaped kitchen has abundant counter space and storage—“sometimes too much,” Foutz says. This layout typically has a peninsula that juts from the tip of the U, which can be used as an eating bar. “While the shape can certainly keep people out of the cook’s traffic pattern, on the flip side, it can feel slightly closed in.”

To give the peninsula a dual function, make it a two-tiered space with a cooktop on the lower portion and an elevated eating area for safety concerns.

Island Layout

Provided you have the space, any kitchen design benefits from an island, which can serve as a buffet or serving area, a second cooking or cleanup zone, and an eating area. And, like the G-shaped kitchen’s peninsula, islands are just as good at keeping people out of the work triangle as they are at drawing them in.

Kate Schwartz’s galley kitchen is an improvement over her last kitchen, which ignored most design guidelines established by the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

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