When it comes to kitchens, what works for one doesn’t always work for the other. You may love the idea of an island but did you know in order to have an island, you need to have three feet minimum from counter to counter? That means if you have cabinetry on both sides of the kitchen and a standard cabinet depth island, you need a minimum of 12 feet across and your island can not have an overhang. so, each kitchen configuration needs to take different solutions into consideration when working with your space.
Galley Kitchens
Galley Kitchens can be as long as you like and are a common choice of chefs because of the ease of access in working within the space. They can look very modern and most galley kitchens utilize the full vertical space so there is plenty of storage. They also are known for offering ample counter space as well as a great working triangle to easily go from one task to another with ease. Some disadvantages of a galley kitchen are that if you have more than one person prepping a meal, you may end up bumping into each other or things could get congested if the traffic flow goes through your kitchen.
Advantages of a Galley Kitchen:
- Lots of counter space
- Great work triangle
- Works nicely with a contemporary layout
- Plenty of storage
- Easy to clean
Disadvantages of a Galley Kitchen
- Layout can cause traffic jams.
- Can limit the space you have in your dining room
L Shaped Kitchen
An L shaped kitchen works very well with open concept plans as it allows for the kitchen to be part of the activities of everyday living, not just food prep. If room allows, especially in an open concept plan, many people like to complement an L shaped kitchen with an island for even more added storage and functionality. “L” shaped kitchens also normally have plenty of space for storage and this is the configuration that is most conducive to an island if the space allows so oftentimes, it can be expanded to have even more storage and an eating area on an island if there is enough space. Some of the grievances that people have with “L” shaped kitchens is that if there is only one person doing the cooking, they may find it frustrating because typically there is more space between appliances and it is not a simple pivot to go from the refrigerator to the kitchen to the stove. There is also more workspace to clean in an “L” shaped kitchen which can also add to frustration and the corners can be difficult or worse, wasted space if you do not utilize a Lazy Susan or a corner pull out accessory.
Advantages of an “L” shaped kitchen:
- Great for open concept plans
- Lots of storage
- Most conducive to adding an island
Disadvantages of an “L” shaped kitchen
- Appliances are more spread out
- Corner storage can be an issue without corner accessories.
Regardless of your kitchen configuration, remember that your home should be comfortable for you and reflect who you are. If you are considering a kitchen remodel and are not sure about what you want or how to maximize your space, speak to a design professional. Helping people love where they live and coming up with unique design solutions provides us with fulfillment and satisfaction.
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