Our site uses cookies to give you the best experience. or continue shopping if you're happy.
Accept & close
How To Plan Your Kitchen Layout
Planning your new kitchen can be tricky as there’s lots to consider, and it can be hard to know where to start. Whether it’s looking at the space you’ve already got, the new layout you want, or where and how to arrange your appliances, our handy guide will give you the tips and knowledge to be able to start planning your new kitchen with confidence.
Where to start
Before you do anything, you need to know what kind of space you’re playing with. That means the tape measure is going to be your best friend. Work out the square footage, worktop lengths and where any doors and windows are going to be. You’ll also want to jot down where your electrical outlets, gas supply and plumbing is. It’s really important to measure more than once, just to be sure. You don’t want to get too far and find out you’re too far gone to make a change.
Draw a plan of your kitchen
Drawing up a floor plan of your kitchen is a great way to work out what you can do with your space. So grab some pencils and a ruler and get creative. Try and draw it as accurately as you can and note down the measurements of all the walls.
Don’t forget to add in any doors, windows, or anything physical that’s built into your kitchen. This way, everything’s accounted for when you start planning for your new layout.
The work triangle
The work triangle is an age-old trick to help you make sure your new kitchen is as functional as possible. The idea revolves around having the three main aspects of your kitchen; your oven & hob, fridge freezer and sink formed in a triangle for the most practical layout.
We believe it’s important to think about your appliances right from the start of your kitchen renovation process. After all, they’re the heartbeat of any good kitchen, so planning with them in mind will only make things easier in the long run.
The six main kitchen layouts
So you’ve drawn up a floor plan of your kitchen space, and now you know all about the work triangle. Now it’s time to decide the layout of your new kitchen.
There are 6 popular choices depending on the space you have. Remember to think about your main appliances and how they’ll fit into the layout you’ve got your eye on.
L-Shape
A very popular choice for small kitchens as it gives you a good amount of counter space and you can easily arrange your appliances with the work triangle in mind. To make the most of the layout, it’s a good idea to install overhead cabinets to free up extra space on your worktops.
U-Shape
With on extra row of worktop space than an L shape layout, the U-shape design is ideal if you have a bigger kitchen. With counters against three walls in the shape of a U, you can have your fridge, hob and sink all on one side each with buckets of worktop space in between. A great layout for families as there’s enough space for everyone to be in and out of the kitchen while dinner’s being prepared.
Galley
A style that isn’t as popular as it once was, but can still give you a very functional kitchen in the right space. The galley layout features two rows of worktops on opposing walls. You can easily adhere to the working triangle with this design, and still have enough meal prep space too.
Island
One of the more popular layouts of late, an Island kitchen gives you lots of space with a central hub that you can share with your family. This design can work with any of the above layouts if you have the space, but it essentially consists of worktop spaces around the walls with an island worktop in the middle of the room.
You can arrange your central appliances in many variations that keep to the working triangle, and you can even have either your sink or hob installed on your kitchen island.
Peninsula
The Peninsula or G-shape layout is a great option if you like the island effect, but don’t necessarily have the space in your kitchen. It’s like a U-shape layout with an extra section of workspace that sticks out like an island which can be used as sitting and eating space. Similar to the U-shape layout, you’ll have plenty of room to arrange your appliances in a way that is practical and with enough worktop space to boot.
One Wall
Common in open plan living rooms and city apartments, the one wall layout is a great option if you’re short on space. It’s a little trickier to adhere to the working triangle as space is limited. If you can have your fridge freezer separate from the wall, then it’s possible, but otherwise they’ll have to spread across. Install overhead cabinets to free up as much worktop space as possible.
Kitchens are the heartbeat of any home, big or small. So planning a new one is no small task. But if you plan carefully, with your appliances in mind and with a layout that suits your space, you should end up with a result you and your family can enjoy for years to come.
Looking for more inspiration...
How To Design Your Kitchen Around An American Fridge Freezer
Tricks of the trade to designing around a kitchen superstar
How To Design Your Kitchen Around A Range Cooker
Things to consider when designing around that big hearty cooker
Image credit: @pearrtreecottagelife
