The Pros and Cons of Common Kitchen Floor Plan Shapes

The Five Most Common Kitchen Floor Plan Designs Defined

Every kitchen remodeling is a unique experience. There are so many fixtures, appliances, finishes, and styles to meet the aesthetic needs of the homeowner that a kitchen remodel is a personalized experience. But while each client's needs and style are different, kitchen designers typically stick to five common shapes when creating a kitchen floor plan.

These floor plan layouts have become a standard because they offer the most efficient use of space and fit into most remodeling situations. Of course, there are often slight design tweaks within specific plans.

This article will explore the characteristics of the five most common kitchen floor plan shapes.

The Horseshoe or U-Shaped Kitchen

this u-shaped or j-shaped kitchen used to be a g-shaped kitchen with a peninsula. it gained functional countertop space and extra upper cabinet storage when we remodeled it.

The u-shaped kitchen features cabinets and appliances lining three walls within the space. It is an efficient design that is great for freeing up floor space in the kitchen. The u-shaped kitchen maximizes wall space by using three walls for upper and lower cabinetry and appliances.

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This design allows the homeowner access to various areas within the kitchen without needing to cross the room. If the space does not feature three free walls, an island can be added, but this option eliminates the third wall of upper cabinet storage. The u-shaped kitchen is flexible and works in many different design styles. The size of the space is not a determining factor. The crucial element of the u-shaped kitchen design is the proper design of the working kitchen triangle. This floorplan offers the most efficient use of space.

The Pennisula or G-shaped Kitchen

this kitchen is large enough to have both a peninsula and an island.

The g-shaped kitchen describes a kitchen design in which the kitchen includes a peninsula used as a prep area and four walls of storage. It got its name because, on a blueprint, this design resembles the letter G.

This design is an extension of the u-shaped kitchen described above and is a natural upgrade for homeowners looking to add additional prep space to their existing u-shaped design. A g-shaped kitchen increases the base cabinets resulting in increased storage space, a more streamlined cooking area, and improved flow.

This design is a popular choice for the home chef. It surrounds them with close counter space options perfect for food prep and immediate access to the tools and supplies needed. The extra counter space is accessible during the entire food prep process and makes preparing complex recipes easier. It's a great floor plan for food preparation, cooking, and clean-up, with all stations accessible to the central area of the kitchen. The g-shaped floor plan offers a tighter countertop configuration and is an excellent choice for larger kitchens.

The L-Shaped Kitchen

this l-shaped kitchen has an islane for additonal countertop workspace

The l-shaped kitchen design is an ergonomic and sensible floor plan that is well established and has become a popular choice among homeowners and designers. This design works well because it supports the kitchen work triangle featuring specific prep, cooking, and clean-up areas. The l-shape design is perfect for a smaller kitchen that cannot fit an island or is not large enough to accommodate a g-shaped design.

The l-shape design is timeless and works regardless of the homeowner's décor or style choices. This design is built into a corner where two walls form a right angle. It works best if one wall is twice the length of the other.

The Corridor or Galley Kitchen

this 1920’s remodeled home is a galley kitchen at heart. the sink, range and dishwasher are along one wall. the refrigerator and microwave are along another wall. a pass-thru provides the essence of a dinette or island with a small peninsula countertop.

If your home's kitchen is a smaller space with more length than width, a galley kitchen is a perfect design choice. Galley kitchens can be economical, but if not designed properly, a galley kitchen can be very inefficient and difficult to work in. This floor plan is often seen in apartments. While most homeowners prefer a larger space, it's important to note that the galley kitchen design is the layout of choice for many restaurants and professional chefs. A galley kitchen can be a great space to work in if the kitchen triangle is incorporated into the design properly.

A galley kitchen can be visually beautiful when completed with fewer cabinets and open shelving. Closed cabinetry can close off the space, making it feel confined. A popular addition is a pass-through window to help move food from the kitchen to the dining room. A galley kitchen can feel cramped, but with proper kitchen design, a galley kitchen can be incredibly functional!

The One Wall Kitchen

the most common one-wall kitchen floor plan shape also has an island, as we did in this remodeled arboretum-neighborhood contemporary home.

Number five is the one-wall kitchen. As the name implies, this design is paced along a single wall. It is often found in studio apartments and smaller homes. A one wall kitchen is used to conserve floor space and reduce construction or remodeling costs.

A one-wall kitchen has all the appliances and cabinetry placed along a single wall. This means the cooking process must be accomplished in a single linear space. Because of limited space, a one-wall kitchen may contain smaller appliances like a compact range and refrigerator. Typically, these appliances are separated by the sink.

The contemporary open floor plan has increased the popularity of the one-wall design. A one-wall kitchen is often coupled with an island directly across the wall. A one-wall kitchen offers the convenience of prep, cooking, and clean-up in a single compact space. A true one-wall kitchen has all utilities and appliances along the wall, and the island becomes a less-expensive set of cabinets and countertops. A stationary island still requires electric, though. Another option is to use a movable, rolling island which qualifies as furniture rather than cabinetry, and so it does not have any electric outlets.

In the end, the most common one-wall kitchen design is typically a hybrid plan: one function (sink or cooktop) occupies the island, while the rest of the utilities and appliances are along the wall.

Working With A Designer On Your Floor Plan

Every kitchen is different! When planning your kitchen and choosing a kitchen floor plan, make sure to take your family's lifestyle and needs into account. One of these five popular kitchen floor plans will be the ideal option for you.

At Degnan Design-Build-Remodel, we are well versed in the five kitchen floor plans. We work with the homeowner to ensure that whatever the floor plan, their new kitchen perfectly meets their needs!

If you're planning a kitchen remodeling project and live in the Greater Madison, Wisconsin area, give the expert design team at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel a call at (608) 846-5963. Let us help you design your dream kitchen!

This article was updated by Abe Degnan on 9/30/2022.