The Pros and Cons of Five Common Kitchen Floor Plans

Every kitchen remodeling is unique regarding the aesthetic needs of the homeowner. Cabinets, appliances, flooring, tile, and countertops may be specific to each home, but kitchen designers typically stick to design templates concerning kitchen floor plan layouts.

These floor plans have become standardized specifically because they offer homeowners the most efficient use of space for their particular remodeling situations. Of course, there are often design variations within specific plans, but for this topic, let/s explore the pros and cons of the five most common kitchen floor plan shapes.

The L-Shaped Kitchen

The L-shaped kitchen is a well-established design whose ergonomics make it a sensible and popular choice for many homeowners. What makes it work is that it supports the kitchen work triangle with specific preparation, cooking and clean-up areas. The L-shape is a perfect choice for smaller kitchen spaces that cannot fit an island into the design or are not large enough to accommodate a “G-shaped” design.

The L-shape design is timeless and works well in any aesthetic style or décor. The shape refers to the floor plan layout where the kitchen design is built into a corner where two walls form a perpendicular angle, where one wall is at least twice as long as the other.

G-Shaped or Peninsula Kitchen Floor Plan

The G-shaped or peninsula kitchen is the term used to describe a situation where cabinetry includes a prep-area peninsula and four walls of storage. It got its name because this design resembles the letter “G” on a blueprint grid.

This design is an extension of the “U-shaped” kitchen and is often a logical upgrade for those homeowners who already have the U-shaped kitchen cabinetry installed. A G-shaped kitchen increases the number of base cabinets included in the design, and this increases storage space along with a more streamlined cooking area.

This design is popular not only for the increase in storage but also the facility offered to the home chef, surrounding them with a variety of close countertop options for prep and immediate access to cooking tools and supplies. The extra counter space is reachable during the entire food preparation process and can make preparing complex meals more efficient. It's a great design for prep, cooking, and clean-up with all stations conveniently accessible to the central area of the kitchen. The peninsula or G-shaped kitchen offers a tighter countertop configuration that is perfect for larger kitchens.

The U-Shaped or Horseshoe Shaped Kitchen

The horseshoe or U-shaped kitchen features cabinets and appliances lining three walls. It's an efficient design that is perfect for freeing up floor space in the kitchen.

The U-shaped kitchen maximizes wall space by using the walls for cabinets and appliances. The nature of the design makes it easy for the home chef to access various areas of the kitchen without needing to cross the room. If the existing kitchen doesn't allow for three walls to be used, an island can serve the same function. The U-shaped kitchen works in many different kitchen styles, and the size of the space is not a determining factor. When designing the space, make sure to place your most used appliances within a single working triangle. This will allow you to use the space efficiently.

One Wall Kitchen Floor Plan

This design is built along a single wall. It's typically found in smaller homes and efficiency or studio apartments and is used to conserve floor space and lower construction costs.

A one wall kitchen has all of the cabinets, countertops, and appliances built along one wall. This means that the homeowner must perform all of the tasks associated with cooking in a single space. Because of the limited space, a one wall kitchen will often contain smaller appliances like a compact refrigerator or range. These appliances are typically separated by the sink. Modern one wall designs will often feature an island located directly across from the wall which allows the chef more space to work. While this design does offer limited options, it does have benefits. A one wall kitchen allows the homeowner to prepare, cook, and clean-up in a single compact space which is very convenient. This layout has become more popular recently with owners who have plenty of space, yet want their kitchen to have a more open feel.

Galley or Corridor Kitchen

A galley kitchen is perfect for homes with a smaller space for a kitchen, which features more length than width. Regarding space, galley kitchens are economical but can be inefficient if not thoughtfully designed. This style is found in many apartments. While most homeowners would prefer more space, it's important to understand that the galley kitchen is the choice of most restaurants and professional chefs because it can be an extremely efficient design if a proper kitchen triangle incorporated.

A galley kitchen works best when outfitted with open shelving and less cabinetry. Closed cabinetry can visually shrink the space and give it a more confined look and feel. A popular addition to the galley kitchen is a pass-through window to facilitate moving food from the kitchen to the dining area efficiently. Galley kitchen designs are cramped, but the can be incredibly functional if you carefully plan your design.

Your kitchen designer or design-build team can offer you more options regarding layouts for these five favorite designs. It is important when planning a kitchen remodel and choosing a floor plan, that you make sure to take your lifestyle and space needs into account. Chances are, you'll find your perfect floor plan design in one of these five popular options!

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