Thought: you want a new kitchen. Your cabinetry is old, the paint marked, and worktops stained. While you may just be thinking of replacing the cabinetry, have you thought about creating a new layout that would work better for you and your space?
There are many different kitchen layouts with benefits and disadvantages, but it all comes down to the size and shape of your kitchen room. Below are three layouts worth considering.
The Galley Kitchen
The name comes from a ship’s kitchen, and the shape suits a long narrow room. If your house has not been extended, and you like keeping your kitchen and dining separate, then this style is very much suited to small rooms only used for the cooking and not eating. Lower cabinetry is placed on either side creating a corridor-like space. Keep upper head cabinetry to a minimum or use open shelf units for more storage to keep the space as open as possible. Don’t be scared to go dark with the cabinets because of the small space. Go light on the walls and worktops, add a patterned splashback, and the room carries plenty of character.
L-Shaped Kitchen
L-shaped kitchens are popular in houses that have been extended at the back, with or without a side return. Worktops run along two walls. This can either be the back wall and side, or the side wall and then a kitchen breakfast bar on the open end. In addition, an island can be placed in the middle of the floor which is great for home owners who love to host. Islands provide that extra space for food preparation, storage and a breakfast bar if wanted. When looking at cabinets don’t forget the little details such as handles, and the inside of drawers and doors. A kitchen has to work on the inside as well as look right on the outside. Handles come in many different styles, shapes, colours and finishes, the list is endless but also so exciting to make your kitchen your own.
U-Shaped Kitchen
If the room is square and small, a U-shaped kitchen can be useful for keeping the kitchen in its own area but still open and hold the ability to communicate with guests on the other side. Bring in colours from the other areas in your home such as your dining area to create a cohesive space that doesn’t feel so separate and boxed in.
When placing the appliances, most kitchen specialists work to the triangle. There is a good reason for it. You want to move around the room and finish a task without crossing your own path. The three main appliances are fridge, sink/dishwasher and oven/hob. If each of these are in easy reach of each other, it makes food preparation, storage, cooking and cleaning up efficient and easy to do. Placed like a triangle in correlation with each other, you can move from one appliance to the next and back simply. Obviously there are exceptions but a lot of kitchens follow this structure.
Your kitchen specialist will aid you with everything from shape to functionality and finishes. Kitchen functionality is key. It is where the socialising and the main tasks of family life happen: cooking, homework, cleaning, eating. However, that is why it should also be one of the rooms you enjoy most in your house, so make it personal and a space you enjoy being in.
If you are thinking of renovating a kitchen, we can talk it through.
To talk to the team, send two lines through the contact form. You can also call 020 7731 6841. We usually reply within a few hours, weekends included.
Published 5 December 2018. Written by the NU Projects studio, edited since for house style and accuracy.