Design 101: Common Kitchen Shapes That Blend Beauty and Function
Monday, April 29, 2013 at 12:00PM We all want our kitchens to be both beautiful and functional. And while you may have an idea of how you want your new kitchen to look, balancing proportion and scale to achieve a harmonious whole is critical. However you'll also want to understand the factors that impact how it feels to be in the space. Here, we've gathered some information on kitchen shapes, optimizing functionality and how to ensure a layout works for you and your family.
Your Lifestyle and Your Home Will Influence Your Kitchen's Shape
Are you an aspiring cook? Do you like to entertain? Is counter space a premium? These are just some of the considerations that will determine which kitchen shape is right for you.
Photo Credit: Omega | MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.
U-SHAPED
Popular with many cooks because of its efficiency, the U-shaped kitchen offers generous counter space and provides an efficient workflow by creating a compact work triangle. It can however make the cook feel apart from a group when entertaining, as most movement will be facing one of the three walls.
Photo Credit: Omega | MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.
L-SHAPED
The L-shaped kitchen offers flexibility for both large and small homes. This shape utilizes only two kitchen walls, providing an open sensibility. The L-shape minimizes traffic through the kitchen and, typically, features larger expanses of countertops, allowing ease of preparation at mealtime.
Photo Credit: Omega | MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.
L-SHAPED WITH AN ISLAND
An L-shaped kitchen with an island is ideal for entertaining. The ample counter space along the "L"of the kitchen becomes the primary work area, while the island allows guests or other family members to gather, to help prepare or just visit... AND to stay out of the way of the cook!
Photo Credit: Omega | MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.
G-SHAPED
A modified "U" shape, the G shaped kitchen is very efficient. However, unless one or more of the walls are designed as half or "pony" walls, this kitchen shape can feel confining for today's cook.
Photo Credit: Omega | MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.
SINGLE WALL
This layout positions all of the appliances on a single wall, and would typically be found in a studio apartment or other very small space.
Photo Credit: Omega | MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.
GALLEY
Open on both ends, the Galley requires a minimum corridor width of 48" so that the cook can easily maneuver during meal preparation. Typically, appliances are near one another which is convenient, but due to the corridor shape of the kitchen, all of the household traffic will pass through the space.
Efficiency Has a Shape: The Triangle
The basic work triangle is comprised of an imaginary line drawn between the kitchen's primary work areas:
- food storage (refrigerator)
- food preparation (stove)
- clean up (sink)
For maximum efficiency, the sum total of the triangle should be 26 linear feet, with the sink being the center point.
What You Can Expect From Your Designer
In addition to offering guidance on door style, wood type and color selections; a professional kitchen designer will typically prepare three types of documents for your review:
- floor plan
- elevations of all the wall that receive cabinetry
- perspective view from one of more vantage points within the room
Availability of these documents to the consumer is usually contingent on a contractual agreement and/or down payment.
Photo Credit: Omega | MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.
FLOOR PLAN
A floor plan shows the wall layout from above, and an outline of all the components that will fill the space, such as base, wall and tall cabinetry. Sometimes lighting and electrical detailing are also shown on this plan.
Photo Credit: Omega | MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.
ELEVATION
A "flat" drawing that shows each wall of cabinetry as if you were standing and facing it head on. The elevation view is good for seeing the detail of the cabinetry components that aren't visible in the floor plan view. It is also good for establishing heights of components within the room.
Perspective
A perspective drawing is one that is "3D" or dimensional. It shows the room as it would be actually seen from the viewpoint of a person 5'-6" in height. Perspective drawings provide details such as areas that are increased or reduced in depth, a dimensional quality that elevation drawings don't offer.
Testing the Fit
It is a good idea to layout the proposed kitchen in the actual space. If the space is empty, this is easily accomplished a couple of different ways. Refer to the completed floor plan utilizing a tape measure and masking tape to indicate where cabinets and appliances will be located. Newspaper can be folded to adjust its size and then moved around within the space - perfect for determining just how big that island should be! If there is an existing kitchen in place, you'll have to improvise a bit. Both tape and newspaper can be used to outline new cabinets or appliances, helping you visualize your new space.
