Kitchen Layouts and Their Efficiency
Our expert design advice helps you make the most of your floor space. There are six basic kitchen layouts: Island, Parallel, Straight, L-Shape, U-Shape, Open, and Galley. The L-Shaped suits homes not needing much worktop space while the galley shaped fits small homes.
The layout impacts functionality, safety, and creating a pleasant living environment. The six common modular kitchen layouts each have advantages in using the work triangle differently.
Where you place the refrigerator matters. Evaluate different factors and layout options to reflect personality and enhance living. A well-planned layout balances functionality, efficiency and aesthetics, not just arranging cabinets. It optimizes workflow, storage, and style.
Get advice on the best layouts for your space and work triangles. We’ll help choose the best one to make the most of your new kitchen. Consider traffic flow, clearances, storage space and more. Ten layout ideas maximize efficiency, convenience and style.
Most Efficient Kitchen Layout for Small Homes
The galley kitchen layout fits small homes best. It has work spaces on opposing walls with a single traffic lane between. Putting the range on one side and the refrigerator and sink on the other allows for easy workflow.
The U-Shape design works well in both large and small kitchens. It provides storage and counter space on three walls, creating an efficient work triangle for food prep.
The L-shaped kitchen adapts to almost any sized space. It offers lots of counter space and storage possibilities. It makes travel between work areas like the sink, stove and refrigerator simple, creating a perfect work triangle.
The galley kitchen makes the most of every inch of available area. It provides great storage as cabinets and drawers can be installed on both sides of the counters.
Preferred Layouts in Professional Kitchens
What kitchen layout do chefs prefer? A double galley layout with a long kitchen island running parallel is often the optimum choice for a chef.
Galley and smaller kitchens actually work well, as the fridge, cooking range and sink tend to be fairly close together and are usually in a work triangle layout.
A chef’s kitchen comes equipped with high-end appliances not usually found in a regular kitchen, abundant storage, and space to accommodate multiple people preparing a meal. These usually include an island, as well, so the chef isn’t limited to just perimeter counterspace.
Design Tips for Gourmet and Chef’s Kitchens
- Involve your executive chef in decision-making.
- No input from your restaurant kitchen chef generally implies the wrong commercial kitchen equipment; the improper ratio of your kitchen to front-of-house.
The proper kitchen layout is crucial to the work of a successful chef and his or her fellow staff. If you want to be able to cook meals quickly and efficiently, where you place your sorted instruments and the amount of walking room available matter just as much as the quality of the ingredients.