If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, but are constantly frustrated because you can’t seem to get anything done—at least not without struggle—in such a cramped space, then it’s the perfect time to do something about it. The limited square footage shouldn’t stop you from having a functional and workflow-friendly zone for your cooking, baking, and other activities.
A kitchen remodeling that focuses on optimizing the layout of your kitchen might be what you need. The following layouts are what professional contractors in Atlanta and other areas recommend to their clients with small kitchens.
Galley Style
This lean layout is characterized by two walls facing each other, which is why it’s also known as the ‘walk-through kitchen’ or the ‘corridor kitchen’. In this ergonomic layout, all appliances, cabinets, and other kitchen fixtures are placed on parallel countertops. To increase efficiency, it’s highly suggested for the work area to run down one side, with all storage running down the other.
One-Wall Style
Best for studio-type apartments and lofts where every inch of real estate is precious, this layout has everything lined up against a single wall. Having the stove, counters, and cabinets all on one side encourages a smooth flow through the work zones. This layout often calls for homeowners to get creative in order to expand the space, which can be done by maximizing vertical storage and using multi-functional features like foldable countertops or mobile islands.
U-Shaped Style
This next style is a bit more flexible as it works well in any room regardless of size, but it is best for smaller kitchens that are isolated from the dining and living areas. What makes the U-shaped layout great is the amount of work and storage space its three walls provide. Additionally, since the work zones are well-defined in this design, multiple cooks and/or users can comfortably use the room at the same time.
L-Shaped Style
Built along two adjacent walls to form the eponymous ‘L’, this layout works well for small to medium kitchens or open kitchens that flow into the dining and/or living room. One side is often used for countertop and storage spaces, while the other is used for the stove. Though traditional L-shaped designs had dead corners, more modern constructions maximize these areas through pull-out cabinets and shelves. Another way to make the best use of this layout is to add stools across one of the sides, creating a bar or breakfast area in the house.
After you’ve chosen your new layout, you can move on to design choices that will make the room feel bigger and more open. The smart use of colors, cabinetry, shelving, and other details will allow you to fully utilize the space you have. And with those done, you can finally say hello to a brand new kitchen experience.