Different Kitchen Layouts
Different Kitchen Layouts
Here at My Beautiful Kitchen, we don’t just like to design kitchen layouts…we LOVE it! Some people get their kicks playing golf. Others have a passion for reading. For us? Well, it’s all about sitting down with our customers (with a nice cup of tea, of course) and mapping out the kitchen of their dreams.
The regular U-shaped kitchen works well. This is where you have two longer worktops, with a shorter surface at the end (often where a sink is placed, or your oven and hood can be housed).
Ideally, the three main kitchen components should be set out in the perfect ‘working triangle’, an ergonomic principle that is applied to most kitchens to ensure they can be practical and efficient.
The goals of a good kitchen work triangle are to place the three most common work sites (fridge, stove and sink) the most efficient distance apart and to minimize traffic through the work zone.
If you place these points of your triangle too far away from each other then you will find yourself dealing with a lot of ‘back and forth’ when you’re preparing food.
On the other hand, you want to avoid them being too close together as you will end up with a cramped kitchen and limited work space that is of any use.
Trying to minimize traffic and avoid obstructions can be difficult while maintaining the ‘perfect’ layout. So how can you make your kitchen interesting while trying to obey these rules?
Try an island – If you have a large kitchen, the addition of an island immediately adds extra interest to your layout and it doesn’t have to be an obstruction either. Make sure you have enough space around your island to move comfortably and have your three main points within easy reach.
Make your island a useful part of your triangle rather than an empty workspace by installing your sink or stove there. A stove as part of your island adds an immediate focal point to your kitchen and adds extra interest and detail due to the range hood over your hob.
Go for a galley – If you have a small or narrow kitchen then a galley kitchen (like the one pictured) would best fit your needs. This is ideal for creating a lean look to your kitchen without it being boring or lacking in detail.
This ‘walk-in’ kitchen can feel a bit like a long corridor as you will have two parallel countertops with a walkway in the middle. However, this allows you to make the best use out of a small space and means that there will be no obstructions.
If you’re worried about it being a bit monotone, add a few splashes of colour in the form of coloured appliances or a high gloss on one side of the kitchen to keep things interesting.
The ‘L’ shape – An L-shaped kitchen is perfect for almost any kitchen. It works well in small to medium sized kitchens as it allows for maximum use of corner space. However, it works brilliantly in larger kitchens too as it opens up the room for entertaining and for the inclusion of bigger appliances such as a large fridge and freezer and huge farmhouse table.
It is also perfect for a big range-style cooker like the gorgeous CH10450GF from Hotpoint.
Discuss these concepts with your kitchen designer when deciding what works best for you. Make sure you get the opportunity to see examples of the kind of kitchen layout you’re interested in, as the kitchen is the centre of any house and you’ll be spending plenty of time there.
To start setting out some ideas for your new kitchen, call My Beautiful Kitchen on 0141 771 3640, or bob in to our offices for a cup of tea and a chat.