Kitchen Designs Section
Kitchen Layouts
Kitchen is the integral part of the home. This is where you spend most of the time.
Kitchen layouts allow an easy access, efficient food preparation and social meetings all at the same time.
Some people will argue that the purpose of the kitchen is only limited to the food preparation.
This was often the fact in the past but today it is the different story.
For the past 20 years designers have tried to incorporate kitchen into the overall house functionality.
Designers and architects worked out that the layout of the modern kitchen must follow a "working triangle".
The "working triangle" is based on 3 main elements: sink, stove and fridge.
These three elements must be located on the tips of the working triangle.
Ideally, the total distance of all the sides of the triangle should not exceed 8 meters.
Types of Kitchen Layouts
Experts identify 5 main kitchen layouts:
- Single-Line
- L-Shaped
- U-Shaped
- Gallery
- Island
So, which kitchen layouts should I choose? The answer is in the functionality and how the space can accommodate the design.
Single-Line Kitchens
This is the easiest design to be accommodated in most of the small houses and flats with small kitchens.
Essentially, the single-line kitchen layouts are straight benches in which three appliances (stove, sink and the fridge) are not more then 2 meters apart.
If the kitchen is long (but not narrow) the design should also accommodate an island. Otherwise the layout will not be efficient.
You may wonder how the working triangle works on this design.
Well, 1 appliance is on the left (first vertex of the triangle), one in the middle (2nd vertex) and the last to the right (3rd vertex).
Thus, if you have these appliances 2 meters apart then the maximum distance between the furthest vertexes is 4 meters.
This leads to 8 meters of walk either way.
This design is really simple and the most efficient for shorter walls but narrow houses.
It is also the cheapest kitchen model to implement.
L-Shaped Kitchens
This is my favourite design. L-shaped kitchen layouts allow a lot of space and yet great efficiency between appliances in the working triangle.
The most obvious setup is one appliance on one side of the L shape and two on the other side.
For obvious reasons the longer side will get more kitchen appliances.
If the sides are equal then designers try to position stove, sink and fridge in such a way that the golden "8 meters of the working triangle" still applies.
This kitchen layout is suitable for larger homes.
The great thing about this design is that one of the benches can be positioned against the window.
Mostly, the sink area is placed towards the window side.
L-shaped kitchens always have space for islands or a dining table.
This makes it great for easy serving and social events.
U-Shaped Kitchens
U-shaped kitchen layouts are the most efficient.
All sides of the working triangle are even and two people can work in the space without interfering.
The non-collision path is very important for 2 or more families living under the same roof (imagine two ladies trying to prepare food at the same time!!!)
However, the design may not be practical for most houses.
You require a bench space on at least 3 sides.
For those lucky ones who can accommodate this layout there is plenty of storage and preparation space.
The difficult to reach cabinets with less important items can always be placed at the corners.
These kitchen layouts allow for islands and dining tables.
Thus, same as the L-shape layout this is a great social space for the family and friends.
Gallery Kitchen Layouts
This is a modern addition to the kitchen design.
This layout works well in industrial kitchens and homes which have narrow passages.
Essentially, the gallery kitchen layout is either a U-shaped design without the link or two single-line designs in parallel to each other.
The gallery kitchen adds to the efficiency of the long but narrow rooms.
You can place one appliance on one side and other two on the opposite bench.
The gallery kitchen designs are increasingly popular with the home builders as they are inexpensive and easy to fit.
However, the gallery kitchens should be avoided in the main passages as the area is busy during the food preparation.
Island Kitchens
Island kitchen is a modification of standard shapes. Essentially, there is an extra square or rectangle bench for eating, cooking or washing. In most cases, the island will function as the table, sink or a stove. If you could not find the information you are after on this web site - let us know! Our experts would be glad to help you.