Top 6 Kitchen Layouts

Learn about different layouts, like L-shaped, one-wall and galley kitchens, and download templates for your renovation.

Black and White Kitchen

Black and White Kitchen With Large Island

The large island is the perfect spot for casual dining in this stunning black and white kitchen.

Photo by: Gordon Gregory Photography

Gordon Gregory Photography

By: Kristen Hampshire

Depending upon how you use your kitchen and the architecture of your space, kitchen layout can have a huge impact on how you work, how you entertain and how your kitchen intergrates (or doesn't) with the rest of your home.

The traditional work triangle that separates the sink, range and refrigerator has evolved into a more practical "work zone" concept.

"We have gone from the traditional kitchen, where one person prepared meals to a multi-purpose room and a multiple-cook room, and this evolution has changed us from looking at one work triangle to multiple triangles, or 'zones,'" says Mary Jo Peterson, principal, Mary Jo Peterson Inc. "With that in mind, we have to increase clearances and look at adding comfortable spaces in the kitchen."

Still, these tried-and-true kitchen layouts still apply to today's lifestyles — with modifications.

Popular Kitchen Layouts
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Basic Kitchen Layout Types

1. The One-Wall Kitchen

The open concept layout of Giana's historic Atlanta industrial loft allows for excellent flow and conversation between the kitchen, living room and work spaces. Focusing on shades of white and gray helps brighten the entire loft and keep things classic and timeless.

Open Concept

The open concept layout of Giana's historic Atlanta industrial loft allows for excellent flow and conversation between the kitchen, living room and work spaces. Focusing on shades of white and gray helps brighten the entire loft and keep things classic and timeless.

Photo by: Robert Peterson/Flynnside Out

Robert Peterson/Flynnside Out

Originally called the "Pullman kitchen," the one-wall kitchen layout is generally found in studio or loft spaces because it’s the ultimate space saver. Cabinets and appliances are fixed on a single wall. Most modern designs also include an island, which evolves the space into a sort of Galley style with a walk-through corridor. Download a sample floorplan.

2. The Galley Kitchen

This efficient, “lean” layout is ideal for smaller spaces and one-cook kitchens. The galley kitchen, also called a walk-through kitchen, is characterized by two walls opposite of each other—or two parallel countertops with a walkway in between them. Galleys make the best use of every square inch of space, and there are no troublesome corner cabinets to configure, which can add to a cabinetry budget. Download a sample floorplan.

3. The L-Shape Kitchen

High-End Kitchen With Wood Ceiling and Large Island

High-End Kitchen With Wood Ceiling and Large Island

An L-Shaped Kitchen

Photo by: Allie Beth Allman & Associates, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Allie Beth Allman & Associates, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

An L-Shaped Kitchen

An L-shaped kitchen solves the problem of maximizing corner space, and it’s a smart design for small and medium sized kitchens. The versatile L-shaped kitchen consists of countertops on two adjoining walls that are perpendicular, forming an L. The “legs” of the L can be as long as you want, though keeping them less than 12 to 15 feet will allow you to efficiently use the space.

With an L-shaped layout, you’ll eliminate traffic: The kitchen will not become a thoroughfare because it’s just not logistically possible. Plus, you can easily add a dining space and multiple work zones to this layout. However, avoid this layout if your kitchen is large and can support other configurations, such as adding an island, or if multiple cooks will be using the space. Download a sample floorplan.

4. The Horseshoe Kitchen

U-Shaped Kitchen with Island

U-Shaped Kitchen with Island

The horseshoe, or U-shape, kitchen layout has three walls of cabinets/appliances. Today, this design has evolved from three walls to an L-shaped kitchen with an island forming the third “wall.” “This design works well because it allows for traffic flow and workflow around the island,” says Mary Jo Peterson, principal, Mary Jo Peterson Inc. “You can get more cooks into the kitchen.” Download a sample floorplan.

5. The Island-Centered Kitchen

Kitchen with dark hood and marble- and walnut-topped island.

Transitional Off-White Kitchen With Custom Range Hood and Contemporary Pendant

The kitchen’s library ladder is charming, to be sure, but it’s also the linchpin of the space’s optimized-storage strategy. “A highly organized kitchen uses every inch of the galley-style layout — therefore we needed a rolling ladder to reach those uppers,” designer Adrianne Bugg says. Her team tucked functionality everywhere: “We even have drawers in the cabinetry toe kick for platters and placemats.” The drawers beneath the walnut-topped end of the island, in turn, conceal Sub Zero under-the-counter beverage storage.

Photo by: Gordon Gregory Photography,

Gordon Gregory Photography,

A working kitchen island may include appliances and cabinetry for storage — and it always adds additional work surface to a kitchen. It can provide a place to eat (with stools), to prepare food (with a sink) and to store beverages (with a wine cooler). The island can turn a one-wall kitchen into a galley style, and an L-shaped layout into a horseshoe.

Kitchen islands are incredibly functional, but the No. 1 misperception about islands is that everyone ought to have one. The reality is, many kitchens simply don’t have enough clearance to include this feature. Download a sample floorplan.

6. The Peninsula Kitchen

The newly renovated kitchen of the Long Beach, CA home as seen on HGTV's Christina on the Coast.

The newly renovated kitchen of the Long Beach, CA home as seen on HGTV's Christina on the Coast.

A peninsula kitchen is basically a connected island, converting an L-shaped layout into a horseshoe, or turning a horseshoe kitchen into a G-shaped design. Peninsulas function much like islands but offer more clearance in kitchens that do not allow appropriate square footage for a true island. Download a sample floorplan.

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