Getting your kitchen layout right is one of the most important things to make it a functional and practical space. Whether your kitchen is small or large, a clever layout will make all the difference. Getting the heights right, ensuring enough space for movement, placement of appliances, and ease of use are all going to factor in your enjoyment of the room.

1. The One Wall Kitchen

A kitchen in which all appliances, cabinets, and counter spaces are positioned along one wall. Is the answer to a very small home or condo. When using the single wall layout, the fridge should be positioned so the door opens away from the kitchen sink to reduce the disturbance in the workflow. Take into consideration whether you are right or left-handed when placing the dishwasher and cabinets.

How to Make A One-Wall Kitchen Layout Work:

Think vertical, take your cabinets up as far as possible will help create extra storage space. To keep it simple and balance, the sink goes between the range and fridge.

2. The Galley Kitchen

The galley kitchen is the most efficient layout for narrow spaces. It consists of two workspaces one in front of the other. Placing the range or cooktop on one side and the fridge and sink on the opposite wall allows easy workflow. This design can be used so the kitchen opens to the rest of the house on one or both ends.

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.

3. The L-Shaped Kitchen

The L-shaped kitchen is the most popular design and is appropriate for any size kitchen. It includes workspaces on two adjoining walls running perpendicular to each other. An L-shaped kitchen will allow for an organized and efficient workflow.

How to Make A L-shaped Kitchen Layout Work:

In an L-shaped kitchen layout, the space at the back of the corner cabinet, where the two runs meet, can be hard to reach without stretching and straining. It’s also difficult to see its contents. As a result, this corner space can easily be wasted, losing its potential because it’s simply too awkward. But there are solutions specifically designed to maximize this problematic area like pullout and carousel units.

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 hood. 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. This type of kitchen layout provides the perfect opportunity for having the work areas on the opposite end of the back- and entry doors.

5. The Island Kitchen

This is a very popular choice, 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 natural traffic.

How to Make An Island Kitchen Layout Work:

Use the island as a 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 similar 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 any 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.