A well-formed plan Kitchen design advice, tailored to your layout

When you’re designing a new kitchen, the way your units and appliances are arranged can have a huge impact not just on how the room looks but on how well it will work. Experts give their advice on four different shapes

GALLEY STYLE

This type of arrangement has units fitted along one or on two opposite walls (pictured right). Floor space between the units needs to be at least 1.2m so that there’s comfortable access to cupboards and drawers, and enough space to turn and get to appliances on the other side of the room. With units on both sides, the sink, cooker and fridge are best positioned conveniently close on either side, not directly opposite each other. On a single run, place the sink in the middle with the fridge and cooker on either side, leaving at least 1.2m between them if possible.

‘With careful planning a galley kitchen needn’t feel cramped,’ says Graeme Smith, senior designer at Second Nature

Kitchens. ‘A tall larder, for instance, will hold a surprising amount of provisions. Use a mix of materials and finishes, and include either glazed wall units or open shelving so the room doesn’t feel hemmed in.’

Pros If well-planned this design can be efficient and streamlined.

Cons It can feel a bit like a corridor with appliances far apart.

L-SHAPED SCHEME

An L-shaped layout is an open arrangement with a table or island added if space allows, and it’s easy to retain the work triangle of sink, fridge and oven by spacing them out on both walls. Good lighting is important as natural light may not reach the whole room.

Combining a section of tall cupboards with floor and wall units creates varied storage and breaks up the layout. Alternatively, use wall and base units on the longest wall only, then install base units only on the short wall.

In a small kitchen, opt for a hob and built-in oven as they will look sleeker than a cooker. ‘L-shaped kitchens offer optimum counter space but remember the three-point placement of the hob/oven, sink and fridge that allows you to successfully move between the three areas,’ says Rebecca Hughes of Rebecca Hughes Interiors. The appliances should be no less than 1.2m apart and no further than 2.7m.

Pros It’s adaptable and spacious with the possibility of adding a table or island.

Cons A large kitchen could mean appliances are far apart with a lot of walking between them.

U- SHAPED UNITS

This layout is formed by lining three walls with cupboards or by adding a peninsula that brings the units around to create the shape. Don’t make this run too long, however, as you could feel cut off from the rest of the room.

‘Of all the possible layouts in a kitchen, the U-shape is potentially the most effective and ergonomic,’ says Graeme Smith, senior designer at Second Nature Kitchens. ‘The wraparound shape can make the most of a compact kitchen, but is equally effective if you have the luxury of more space.

‘If there’s enough room, add an island or a dining table and chairs within the U-shape, remembering that you’ll need at least 1.2m for easy access all around it.’

Pros You’re surrounded with units so appliances are within easy reach and are more accessible.

Cons The two corners need to be fitted with flexible storage to be as useful and accessible as possible.

An island looks impressive, and provides storage and extra space for food preparation and eating. As you’ll need at least 1.2 m between the island and units or wall, it’s unlikely to fit into a small kitchen. Islands start at around 1m square, but 1m by 2m is better, though it could fill a larger space provided it doesn’t obstruct movement between the main appliances.

Appliances – such as a hob, wine cooler or small sink – can be fitted, while a worktop overhang of 30cm to 45cm will create a breakfast bar to use with stools. ‘Consider the height and design of your stools. Ones that tuck under your breakfast bar will give a streamlined look,’ says Melissa Klink of Harvey Jones. You will also need to think about directing the electricity and water supply to the centre of the room, which will add to the costs.

Pros Can make good use of a large kitchen by offering storage and convenient food-preparation areas.

Cons Takes up a lot of space in small to middle-sized rooms and may block access.

A peninsula forms the third side of this U-shaped kitchen layout (left and above). It creates extra storage and makes good use both of the area in front of the window and floor space that would otherwise be wasted, while leaving access to the wall of...

In this kitchen, two rooms were merged to create a long, galley style (left and above). As there are no wall units, the room feels wide, and quartz and wood surfaces are used to break up the space. At the end, a freestanding larder gives height and...

This generous-sized L-shaped kitchen keeps the space feeling open and has enough room to add a table and chairs. The fridge-freezer straddles the cooking and eating zones, with the oven and hob on the long run of units and the sink on the short return...

This kitchen (left and above) shows an island working at its best. In a new extension with a wall of windows, units are fitted on opposite sides and the space in the middle is filled with the island. It forms a link between the two runs of units,...