From L-shaped to double galley and peninsula, there are plenty of practical kitchen layouts to pick from when planning your project. But how do you know it’s the right one for your lifestyle?
To help you design your new kitchen, KBB journo Charlotte Luxford has asked the experts to provide a back-to-basics overview of the key layouts and reveal their pros and cons.
- L-shaped layout
- Double galley
- Double galley with an island
- U shape
- Peninsula
- One-wall kitchen
- Hidden kitchens
- Single run with an island
L-shaped kitchens
“L-shaped kitchens are one of the most popular kitchen layouts as they offer a lot of flexibility, and they work in almost any size and shape space. Depending on how you decide to lay out the L shape, it can offer either closed or open-plan living, if your room is big enough,” explains Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport.
How to make it work
“This layout is great for maximising wall and floor space, offering huge amounts of storage while ensuring that your kitchen doesn’t feel overcrowded or cramped. This is why this shape works so well in smaller kitchens and apartments. As it helps to create a sense of space, it lends itself to being adventurous with colour – which can be a good thing if you wish to be daring,” says Richard.
“This kitchen layout still makes it possible to have the golden triangle of your fridge, sink and cooker, but because of the L shape, your triangle may be quite compact, as you will likely need to have at least two of the three items on the same cabinet run.
“However, while there is much to champion about L-shaped kitchens, there can be some drawbacks. If there are multiple adults trying to use the space at the same time, the layout may not provide enough room for two or more people to work comfortably simultaneously. It’s also important to think about how traffic flows in an L-shaped kitchen, especially if there is only one entrance and exit point. This can make it challenging to move around while cooking.”
Double galley
“The double galley kitchen layout, also known as the parallel kitchen, is characterised by two parallel countertops or work areas with a walkway in between. It’s suited to narrow or compact spaces where traditional layouts may not be feasible, maximising efficiency by placing everything within easy reach,” says Rhiannon Phenis, designer at Sola Kitchens.
How to make it work
“With appliances and workspace on both sides, this layout allows for easy movement between tasks. It also presents plenty of storage opportunities, often utilising the full height of the space, including upper cabinets, lower cabinets and drawers. Not only that, but it also naturally divides the kitchen into separate zones for cooking, prepping, and cleaning, helping to minimise clutter,” says Rhiannon.
“However, the narrow walkway between the two countertops may restrict movement if multiple people are working in the kitchen simultaneously. It’s also not ideal for those with larger households or homeowners who like to entertain regularly, as it can quickly become crowded. Plus, the layout can create a barrier between the cook and guests, limiting social interaction during meal prep. Designing a functional and aesthetically pleasing double galley kitchen requires careful planning to optimise space and ensure adequate lighting and ventilation.
“Overall, the double galley layout is a great choice for smaller spaces where functionality is paramount. However, it may not be ideal for those who prioritise open-concept living or frequently entertain large groups.”
Double galley with an island
“The double galley and island layout features two runs of cabinetry on either side of a central island. This layout is the perfect option for rectangular rooms that are longer than they are wide, as it utilises the full length of the space. Double galleys often have an element of symmetry, and it’s a visually impactful layout that can be very striking when executed correctly,” says Richard Moore, design director at Martin Moore.
How to make it work
“By its very nature, a galley kitchen is narrow, so great care is required when including an island into the space, which will also likely be long and narrow due to limited space and to reflect the rectangular shape of the room. There will be restrictions on both traffic through the kitchen and access around the island. To ease this, consider designing the latter with round edges to both ends,” says Richard.
“The narrow island is a great solution and, by making it one cabinet deep, you retain good storage. Any narrower than that, however, and it’ll be too thin to be stable. Also, it needs to be kept short, as a long island will exacerbate the access issues.
“Locating the sink and hob on one side of the kitchen, along with the larder and fridge, minimises the need to walk around the island, and the cook can simply complete the work triangle by plating up or preparing on the island behind them. The coffee station or breakfast cupboard can be positioned on the opposite wall, thereby allowing a second person to happily work in the kitchen at the same time.”
U-shaped kitchen layout
“U-shaped kitchens are very practical, for the simple reason that you can easily reach everything, so you’re making the most of your space. This is where you have runs of cabinetry on three successive walls so if you were looking at it from above, it would look like a U. This layout utilises every inch of space, giving the homeowner the maximum amount of cabinetry without the room feeling overwhelming and overcrowded,” explains Rebecca Nokes, design director at John Lewis of Hungerford.
How to make it work
“You would typically use the window in the room as the starting point for any plan, and this usually sits in the middle of the ‘U’, providing the perfect place for the sink. Then you would plan cabinetry to house the hob on either one of the side runs and typically keep any tall units, for example for fridge-freezers and oven stacks, near the doorway. With a U-shaped kitchen, it’s a good idea to look for multifunctional appliances, such as hot water taps, and a combination oven-microwave so you can keep worktops uncluttered and have plenty of space for cooking and preparation,” says Rebecca.
“Practicality wise, U-shaped kitchens aren’t really suited to busy family life, as they tend to feel a bit overcrowded if you have more than a couple of people in the room at the same time – that said, they are the perfect solution for apartments and smaller homes where space may be at a premium.
“Aesthetically, it’s a popular misconception that you should avoid choosing dark or bold colours when planning a smaller kitchen. While it’s true that lighter colours can make a space feel larger, you can still use darker shades in a U-shaped layout, as long as you have a good source of natural light or get your artificial lighting spot-on, and think about using lighter colours for elements such as worktops, splashbacks and flooring.”
Kitchens with peninsulas
“Typically, peninsulas are used in kitchens where the size of the room means an island, table or another central piece of furniture is not practical. They provide a worktop that faces out into the rest of the space and creates a U-shaped layout, with one of the shorter ends against a wall,” says George Glasier, co-founder of Pluck.
“They are very practical for adding storage, extra surface space for preparation, or a place to perch. What’s particularly great about this layout is that it often feels entirely integrated with the interior architecture of a room because the peninsula connects to a wall.”
How to make it work
“Usually, with big kitchens, we would advise against a peninsula as you may well end up with lots of gaping floor around it, making the room feel empty with an awkward layout; but there are exceptions to this. A peninsula could be just the solution, should you wish to have a big piece of furniture – for example deep, tall cupboards or a dresser along a wall, making the space too tight for that and a central piece of kitchen furniture,” says George.
“Obviously, the concept of peninsulas necessarily involves the floor plan beyond them, outside of the kitchen area – usually a dining table. And so, the peninsula forms a distinction between these two areas, while also connecting them – an impressive feat for a nub of cabinetry sticking out from a wall.”
One-wall kitchen
“‘One wall’ kitchens or ‘single run’ kitchen layouts are often incredibly efficient and work fantastically in smaller homes or apartments. This layout is frequently used in open-plan living areas that are divided into multiple zones, as well as very narrow rooms, which are less than two-metres wide for example. Smaller, single-run kitchens often work hard to house all the appliances that a larger kitchen would accommodate, meaning storage space and work surfaces can sometimes be compromised,” says Elizabeth Sherwin, creative director at Naked Kitchens.
How to make it work
“Keep the number of tall units to a minimum to make the most of any work surface areas, and be sure to keep a practical distance between the sink and the hob. Choosing integrated appliances will ensure that everything is tucked neatly out of sight, helping to create a more cohesive kitchen zone that can enhance or reflect key themes within the design of the wider room. Tall cabinets at the outer edges of the kitchen, with wall units or open shelving in between, provide much-needed storage space while framing the room and keeping the flow between preparation, cooking and cleaning areas uninterrupted,” explains Elizabeth.
“If you have a much longer stretch of wall, you could consider either grouping tall units together at one end, framing the run, or using the taller units to separate the space. This can be really helpful if you need to create a dresser or drinks zone at one end of the kitchen to serve the dining area for example. When working in a larger space, the distances between appliances will inevitably increase, which is good news for work surface space, but less practical from a usability perspective – there’s no sign of the working triangle in this kitchen layout!”
Hidden kitchens
“A hidden kitchen can mean many things: if you have a smaller studio apartment, having an entire fully functioning kitchen in one area can be a bonus, allowing you to simply close it off when not in use,” says Allison Lynch, senior designer at Roundhouse.
How to make it work
“In larger kitchens, the ‘hidden’ element may be a doorway leading into a walk-in pantry or utility room, seamlessly integrated into a tall cabinet run in the main kitchen. The pocket door system is perfect for this, maintaining the clean lines of the cabinetry and enhancing the overall flow,” advises Allison.
“Additionally, you could conceal ovens within a tall stack behind pocket doors. This allows the kitchen to transform from a functional space into a more furniture-like setting, which works particularly well in open-plan living setups where you don’t want to be looking at your dirty dishes from the sofa.
“While the pocket door system is effective in hidden kitchens, it does have some drawbacks. The mechanism can be cumbersome for tall doors and there’s a significant added cost compared to hinged doors, plus the space required for the pockets can limit design flexibility, unlike hinged doors, which allow full use of the cabinet width.
“Still, the advantages outweigh the drawbacks. Designating areas for specific uses, such as a breakfast cupboard with essentials, enhances convenience for daily routines while promoting kitchen organisation.”
Single run with an island
“The single-wall kitchen and island layout shines in both snug and sprawling open-plan spaces. This design stands out as a cost-effective solution, with one of the smallest footprints of all kitchen configurations,” explains Louisa Eggleston, creative director at Humphrey Munson.
“Streamlined and efficient, it seamlessly integrates furniture and appliances along a solitary line, reducing the need for excessive units and trimming down costs. Its linear composition ensures a fluid workflow, placing every essential within easy reach.”
How to make it work
“Adding an island or preparation table parallel to the single-wall design amplifies functionality and aesthetics, offering expanded work surfaces and storage. For a practical, hard-working kitchen, consider placing the sink, dishwasher and integrated bin on the island, with the cooking area and storage on the main run,” advises Louisa.
“The obvious drawback here is that room is limited, and getting the balance between preparation and storage space is key. If extra height is available, consider it for storage, keeping things that aren’t often used at a higher level. Countertop cupboards are also a godsend as they provide both storage and countertop space when the doors are open – then when you’re done, close them up and voila: a clear and uncluttered kitchen space.”
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