5 steps to the perfect KITCHEN
Follow our simple guide to create a timeless kitchen that’s super stylish
Every kitchen is different, but most fall into one of these five basic layouts. Once you’ve sussed out which one best describes your kitchen, it’s easy to make a couple of simple changes and tweaks to get the best out of your space.
1 U-shaped
Allowing for units on three walls, this shape offers plenty of workspace
✱ Use two sides of the room for your working triangle to keep it compact in a large space. Or consider placing one element, such as the sink, on an island.
✱ Allow for lots of worktop between your cooker and sink. A distance of at least 80cm is preferable.
✱ Maximise your storage with clever corner cupboard solutions.
✱ Go for informal dining in larger rooms by placing a peninsula at one end of a long run of cabinets. ✱ Choose open shelving to stop your kitchen looking crowded, with shelves in handy places.
2 Galley
Usually a long, narrow room where units sit along one or both walls in a line
✱ Avoid wall units in a narrow space to prevent the room feeling too cluttered. Go for open shelving instead.
✱ Go modern by using handleless units and fitting semi- or fully-integrated appliances to maximise space.
✱ Lay your flooring widthways – it will help to make the space appear wider.
✱ Arrange the working triangle so your hob and fridge aren’t opposite each other. That way, people won’t end up back to back when cooking together.
✱ Banish clutter by investing in internal storage solutions such as multi-layer drawers, pull-out racks and pan dividers to keep your essentials organised.
3 Open plan
Great for kitchen-diners, this layout has plenty of room for dining and seating
✱ Zone it by separating the functional areas – for cooking, eating and relaxing – using different but cohesive materials and textures to create distinct spaces.
✱ Invest in quiet appliances so you’re not struggling to talk over the noise.
✱ Heat the space efficiently – in large rooms, underfloor heating might be best for an even spread of warmth.
✱ Use contrasting flooring to divide space, defining boundaries between the living, dining and cooking areas.
✱ Get a powerful extractor fan to banish any lingering cooking smells.
4 L-shaped
This layout offers flexibility without feeling too enclosed
✱ Keep an open feel by placing wall units only on one side of the room.
✱ Ensure there’s plenty of work surface area on either side of the sink and the cooker, for the most efficient use of space.
✱ Plan a place to eat if space allows – a table or breakfast bar at the end of the longest run of units creates a spot for informal dining.
✱ Utilise the corners with special pull-out units or carousels.
✱ Fit task lighting over the prep areas and supplement natural light from any windows with spots and downlighters.
5 Island
Great for roomier designs, an island allows extra workspace with a tighter working triangle
✱ Allow enough space around an island to open cabinets and dishwasher or oven doors. A workable minimum is 90cm, but 120cm is preferable.
✱ Consider a prep sink and possibly a dishwasher in your island. Extra drawers for storing pots and pans are a good idea if your hob is on the island.
✱ Choose curved corners for safety, which will do less harm to toddler heads and adult hips.
✱ Figure out the function – will the island be used for storage, cooking, food prep or dining? Plan a design that can fit everything you need.
✱ Add overhead light – spotlights are practical and affordable, but low pendant lighting creates an intimate dining setting.