The Basics of Kitchen Floor Planning

By Christine Cooney, Direct from the Designers™ Staff Writer

Your kitchen's 'core' is said to consist of three distinct areas: storage, cooking, and cleaning/prep. Our architects are thinking outside the traditional kitchen work triangle to meet the needs and demands of consumers looking for a place not only to cook, but to meet and socialize.

As kitchen floor plans can take on endless variations, our designers chose to put together a list of the most popular and functional kitchen configurations:

The U-shaped Floor Plan

The U-shaped plan is versatile and efficient, designed usually with one workstation on each of the three walls. This design give you storage and counter space on three sides, to maximize efficiency. The 'dead-end' floor plan ensures that traffic won't disrupt the workspace.

The L-shaped Floor Plan

The L-shaped kitchen floor plan places two workstations on one wall and the third on an adjacent wall. This layout is more space-efficient than a U-shaped plan, but may not work as well in kitchens with a small footprint.

The G-shaped Floor Plan

The G-shaped (also known as a Peninsula) floor plan is designed with one end of an island attached to a wall or line of cabinets. The Peninsula kitchen contains the versatility of an island kitchen, with a bit less floor space.

The Island Floor Plan

The Island kitchen floor plan features a freestanding workstation, usually incorporating a cooktop or sink. The Island floor plan is very popular and provides a traffic-free environment with an abundance of counter space.

The Galley Floor Plan

The Galley kitchen plan is a perfect design for small spaces, providing extra room and a more open feel. Workstations on parallel walls allow the chef to move quickly from one area to another by simply turning around.

Single Wall Floor Plan

This floor plan is the most space-efficient design, making it perfect for small kitchens found in vacation homes or apartments. The single-wall layout places all of the major workstations on one wall, giving the cook quick access to each workstation while utilizing the least possible space.

For a collection of inspiring kitchens featuring great photography, visit Direct from the Designers™ collection of Fabulous Kitchen Designs.