The kitchen layout is fundamental for the home. That’s why it needs to be organized in a way that makes it easier to carry out everyday tasks in a practical way. When setting up the kitchen, many people wonder if there is an ideal place to position the stove, for example, and the answer is yes.
In any case, for the interior design of your kitchen, whether it is small or large, the recommendation of our specialists is: keep a distance between the appliances that heat up and those that cool down for safety reasons and for the best functioning of these items. Here are some other simple tips we prepared to help you organize your kitchen and transform your home into a more welcoming space.
What is a Kitchen Layout?
A kitchen layout is the ideal way to organize the kitchen. In other words, it means forming a triangle whose vertices would be the refrigerator, the sink and the stove, in this order. The sum of the distances, in a straight line, should not be greater than six to seven meters to go from one to the other.
According to the triangle rule, if it’s possible, the distance from the sink to the refrigerator should be as short as possible. The reason? That way you can get the food from the refrigerator, take it to the sink, prepare it, and take it to the stove for cooking.
This famous rule in the kitchen layout is nothing more than a simple organization for kitchen planning. The triangle rule is part of an interior design trend that seeks to facilitate mobility in space by making your kitchen more functional.
By the triangle rule, the strategy is: positioning these three items of furniture and appliances, which are the most used in the kitchen, throughout the most appropriate places. That is, distribute them among the space to optimize the circulation area.
Before deciding your kitchen layout, be sure to also consider the plumbing and electrical points in your kitchen, as well as the windows and doors. Here’s some ways and spaces where to place the refrigerator, the stove and the sink in the triangle.
Ways of distribution
In interior design real life, the environment does not always allow for this distribution. Therefore, we consider the shape of the environment and distribute, trying to preserve this idea, in the best possible way. Below are some examples of kitchen shapes.
Kitchen Layout Type
The six kitchen layouts are refered below for your reference.
L-shaped Kitchen Layout
The L-shaped kitchen layout is most commonly used for modern homes. On one side, the stove and refrigerator can be placed next to each other. And the sink on the other side, usually closer to the stove.
These are just a few ideas among the triangle rule and its many possibilities of arranging these three items. The most important thing will always be to ensure good mobility between the elements and to make the space functional.
The “L” shaped kitchen layout opens space for the placement of a dining table in the kitchen. It resembles the letter “L” taking advantage of two orthogonal walls to support the kitchen cabinets and leaving a good free area for the table.
One-wall
In the one wall kitchen layout, just like the name suggests, the sink and stove can be positioned on one wall. Preferably near a window or on the brighter side of the kitchen, and on the opposite side, the refrigerator.
The parallel or aisle kitchen layout, as it is also called, is one in which there are two aligned surfaces, one facing the other, usually connecting different rooms. That’s why it needs an aisle – for the points of the triangle to be distributed on the two cabinets.
This interior design trend is also used in narrow and elongated kitchens, but with enough area to have a corridor between the cabinets of at least 120 cm, allowing two people to pass.
U-shaped
The U-shaped kitchen layout is the most popular among people. To have a U-shaped kitchen, it doesn’t matter the size of the room. You can choose solutions that are more open or closed, depending on the layout of the elements. Each element can be placed on a different wall, forming a perfect triangle ensuring total mobility and perfectly solving the needs of the residents.
But why choose the U-shaped kitchen layout? Because it is most efficient for a large kitchen. Which can easily solve the principle of the triangle rule. In this kitchen layout we can easily arrange between sink, oven/cooktops and refrigerators as needed. This type of kitchen layout can accommodate two or more cooks due to the ample space. It is best suited for a large family.
G-shaped
This type of kitchen layout covers more space in the living room area. It opens up to a nearby room and creates a passageway. This should be used by those who have more space to apply the triangle rule and use as much space as possible. That’s because it can serve as a large kitchen area with appliances and a wide variety of additional workspaces, increasing the storage area. Besides that, the cook also has enough space to work with ease.
A Galley
It is a type of kitchen layout with a narrow and wide organization. It includes base cabinets, wall cabinets, counters or other services. This type of kitchen can be equipped with devices such as countertops, refrigerators, sinks and other functional items on both sides of the central walkway.
Galley kitchen layouts are small in size. The result is cheaper and denser than other kitchen layouts. Also, it is more efficient and compact because several storages are made around it.
Kitchen Island Layout
The island kitchen layout is becoming more and more popular in modern times because this type of kitchen offers new design options for renovation. Usually, homeowners build additional islands in the kitchen to increase the meal preparation area.
Kitchen Layouts with islands can have two work surfaces. One of them is linear, with the sink and refrigerator aligned in a cabinet against the wall. And another parallel surface with the stove or cooktop and even another sink, respecting the minimum distance of 120 cm between them.
The kitchen is a fundamental space for your family
The interior design of a kitchen should be planned with care and affection. This is a space for many domestic activities, such as circulation and preparing meals. Invest in flowers, pictures, symbolic magnets and other items that have affective value for you and your family. Organizing the kitchen is also turning it into a space of care, so you will feel the positive impact on different aspects of your daily life.
Find out with Objective USA how interior design can make the difference between any kitchen and your kitchen, combining timeless, modern decor trends and unique flair building your home with a look that’s ultimately influenced and led by you, our client.
We have over 25 years of experience providing timeless, long-lasting design solutions for a variety of tastes and lifestyles. Feel free to contact us and get to know more about our services.
