Kitchen Layouts

Five Common Kitchen Layouts

Whether it’s a G, L, or U-Shape...find out which kitchen layout works best for you

The kitchen’s layout is the shape that is made by the arrangement of the countertop, major appliances and storage areas. This floor plan creates the kitchen’s work triangle —the path that you make when moving from the refrigerator, to the sink, to the oven to prepare a meal. 

When designing your new kitchen and choosing the best cabinetry solutions for your home—the first thing to consider is the layout of the kitchen. 

There are five different layouts found in today’s kitchens—the G, L, U, single, and galley. While certain floor plans create a more spacious, efficient kitchen, each kitchen can be enhanced with the right cabinetry and decorative accents.

Review the five kitchen layouts to identify which is most similar to your current kitchen. When looking at each layout, focus on the work triangle created in the room—you may find a kitchen floor plan that you prefer over your own.  Keep in mind—even if you’re not making significant structural changes to the kitchen, you can still enhance the layout with the right cabinetry.

Whatever you decide, we recommend working with a kitchen designer to select the cabinetry and create a kitchen that works best for you.

Kitchen Layouts

1. The L-shaped Kitchen: 

In an L-shaped kitchen layout, a natural work triangle is created from continuous counter space and work stations on two adjacent walls. The benefit of this kitchen floor plan is that it not only provides the cook with an efficient work area, but it typically opens to a nearby room, making it easy for the cook to talk with guests.

2. The U-shaped Kitchen:

The U-shaped kitchen is the most versatile layout for kitchens large and small because the layout offers continuous counter tops and ample storage, which surrounds the cook on three sides.  In larger kitchens, this floor plan is spacious enough to be divided into multiple work stations for cooks to easily prepare a meal together without getting in each other’s way.

How to Enhance the U-shaped Kitchen Layout:  

To maximize storage and keep countertops clutter free, conceal the microwave in a base wall cabinet and store cooking essentials in a Lazy Susan.

 3. The G-shaped Kitchen:

The G-shaped kitchen is a version of the U-shaped kitchen layout, with the same amount of counter space and storage options that surround the cook on three sides. However, the difference with the G-shaped kitchen floor plan is the peninsula or partial fourth wall of additional cabinets.

How to Enhance the G-shaped Kitchen Layout: 

Depending on the size of the kitchen, G-shaped kitchens can seem cramped. To make the room feel more spacious, open up the wall in a nearby room and create a pass-through or breakfast bar for the family.

4. The Single-Wall or Straight Kitchen:

The single-wall kitchen floor plan is ideal for smaller homes.  The work triangle in this kitchen layout is less like a triangle and more of a work line with all three kitchen zones along one wall.

How to Enhance the Single-Wall Kitchen: 

Add additional storage and maximize the space by stacking cabinetry such as the wall pantry pull-out above the base super storage. To get more ideas on organization, browse storage solutions, 

5. The Corridor or Galley Kitchen:

The corridor layout has a workspace large enough for one cook. In this kitchen floor plan, the work stations face each other on parallel walls, creating a small work triangle.

How to Enhance the Corridor Kitchen: 

Similar to the single-wall kitchen floor plan, stack storage solutions to maximize space. Add linkable light strips under the cabinets for task lighting and brighten the room with glass inserts and interior cabinet lighting. If possible, add a pass-through to open the kitchen, but keep the lower wall for base cabinetry.

Learn About the Design Possibilities

Perhaps you’re happy with the existing layout of your kitchen—that’s great! Let’s talk cabinets and design ideas.