No matter how different our lifestyles may be, a lot of activity revolves around the kitchen; cooking, preparing a quick snack, catching up, eating breakfast or an entire meal with friends and family. To serve both the functional and social functions of the kitchen, the organization and layout are essential in the design. Here’s a look at some of the most popular kitchen designs.
One – Wall Kitchen
This is common in smaller homes that do not have enough space. The typical layout is that everything, all appliances are kept within easy reach. However, if the appliances take up the most room, there might be little space left for food prep.
L-Shape Kitchen
This type of kitchen solves the problem of maximizing corner space, and it’s a smart design for small and medium sized kitchens. The versatile L-shaped kitchen consists of countertops on two adjoining walls that are perpendicular, forming an L. The “legs” of the L can be as long as you want, though keeping them less than 12 to 15 feet will allow you to efficiently use the space.
Gallery Style Kitchen
This efficient, “lean” layout is ideal for smaller spaces and one-cook kitchens. The gallery kitchen, also called a walk-through kitchen, is characterized by two walls opposite of each other—or two parallel countertops with a walkway in between them. Galleys make the best use of every square inch of space, and there are no troublesome corner cabinets to configure.
Island Style Kitchen
A working kitchen island may include appliances and cabinetry for storage—and it always adds additional work surface to a kitchen. It can provide a place to eat (with stools), to prepare food (with a sink) and to store beverages (with a wine cooler).
U-shape Kitchen
Like the one-wall and galley floor plans, a U-shaped layout is an efficient kitchen designed for one primary cook. Basically a wide galley kitchen with one end closed off, it keeps onlookers out of the main work area while remaining open to other rooms of the home and allowing traffic to pass.
Whatever layout and design your kitchen has, ensure that it allows enough room for food prep as well as for more help in the kitchen while not restricting socializing space.