Unfortunately, there isn’t a standard one-size fits all approach to kitchens; so whether you are designing a completely new kitchen or simply remodelling the existing one, your first step will be choosing a layout. Your new layout will decide the way in which you entertain, cook and socialise in your kitchen. You need to know if a full kitchen layout renovation is in your future before you start picking cupboard designs.

Kitchens Bangor are experienced with fitting every layout of kitchen, and they can provide helpful advice that will save you time and stress. Here are five of the most commonly used kitchen layouts and their advantages and disadvantages.

U-Shaped Kitchen

This is the most common kitchen design, which can be seen in smaller properties and older homes. This design offers more efficiency and overall comfort in the kitchen.

Pros:

• Flexible kitchen layout.
• Appliances are more accessible; no more digging around in cupboards trying to find your blender – appliances can be left on the worktop.
• Ideal design for both large and small kitchens.
• Offers a good amount of storage space; with large cupboards, there will be enough storage space for all your kitchen bits and bobs.

Cons:

• Corner base kitchen cupboards are somewhat difficult to access.
• Might feel a bit congested due to the appliances being located so closely to each other; this might reduce the available worktop space for food preparation.
• Not suitable for a very large kitchen because in order for the kitchen work triangle to function properly, you need to also provide island kitchen layouts for easy and convenient working space.

L-Shaped Kitchen

With style of kitchen layout, two perpendicular walls form an L-shape. One arm of the L is designated as the appliance space, so it will contain the microwave, stove, oven and all the extra bits. The other counter is marked as a clean-up zone, with the sink and some food preparation space.

Pros:

• Adaptable and spacious.
• Provides an open cooking space; perfect for people who like to move around the kitchen.
• Ideal and best suited for socialising and entertaining in the kitchen; combining the cooking and socialising space will make it easier for those who like to be involved in the social side, whilst still needing to be in the kitchen cooking.

Cons:

• Can be inefficient.
• Can’t accommodate multiple cooks; too many appliances in such a small space is not conducive to multiple cooks being able to function harmoniously together.
• Appliances can be too spread out, means this layout is not suitable for larger kitchen designs.
• Corner base cupboard can be awkward to reach; this can mean wasted storage space as people won’t want to deal with the hassle of having to pull everything out to reach the pot or pan at the back.

G-Shaped Kitchen

This is just a modification of the U-shaped kitchen design – it has an extra bit of worktop space and more storage options.

Pros:

• This is the most social and efficient kitchen style.
• As compared with other designs for small kitchens, it offers extra worktop space and storage.
• Multiple cooks can easily work alongside each other without feeling as though they are in each other’s way.

Cons:

• It can make the kitchen appear smaller than it actually is.
• The corner base cupboard is still an issue with accessibility.

Galley-Style Kitchen

Considered to be one of the most efficient and functional kitchen designs, this unique kitchen layout provides you with the maximum amount of worktop space, with lots of storage. This is an ideal choice for many commercial kitchens, as it follows the kitchen triangle rule.

Pros:

• Corner base cupboards are easy to access, so there are no issues in terms of wasted storage.
• Provides versatility.
• Offers maximum space, making efficient and highly functional cooking areas.
• They can be designed as an open or closed concept.

(You also don’t have to worry about paying through the nose for finishing materials like backsplashes, and you won’t have to spend hours cleaning!)

Cons:

• You may find this design insufficient if you require a more spacious kitchen with maximum storage and worktop space.
• Not suited for multiple cooks due to the compact nature of the kitchen.

Renovating a kitchen isn’t as cut and dry as it seems from the outside – these lists of layouts and advantages and disadvantages should help bring some clarity to kitchen upgrades available.