Choosing the right kitchen layout is one of the most important decisions in any kitchen renovation. Get it wrong and you'll spend years working around a layout that doesn't suit your habits. Get it right and the kitchen almost runs itself.
Here's a breakdown of the five most common kitchen layouts, when each works best, and how to use Free Room Planner to evaluate them in your actual room.
The Galley Kitchen
A galley kitchen runs two parallel runs of units along opposite walls with a corridor between them. It's the most efficient layout for cooking — everything is within reach and the workflow is linear.
Best for: Narrow kitchens, flats, serious home cooks who prioritise function over socialising.
Minimum width: 2.4 metres between unit fronts for comfortable two-person use. 2 metres is workable for one person.
Common mistake: Making the corridor too narrow. Always plan at least 1 metre between facing units — 1.2 metres if two people cook simultaneously.
The L-Shaped Kitchen
Units run along two adjacent walls, forming an L. This is the most versatile layout and works in a wide range of room sizes. It naturally creates a work triangle between the hob, sink, and fridge on the two walls.
Best for: Medium-sized rooms where one corner can be utilised, open-plan kitchen-diners where one wall opens to the dining area.
Tip: Place the sink and preparation area on one leg of the L, and the cooking area on the other. Keep the fridge at the end of one leg where it doesn't interrupt the workflow.
The U-Shaped Kitchen
Units wrap around three walls. Maximises storage and worktop space, and keeps everything close. The work triangle is tight and efficient.
Best for: Larger kitchens with enough room to maintain walkway clearances on all three sides. Families who need maximum storage.
Minimum room size: You need at least 3 metres between the two parallel walls to fit a U-shape with adequate clearances. Draw this in Free Room Planner before committing.
The Island Kitchen
An island adds a freestanding unit in the middle of the kitchen, providing additional worktop, storage, and often seating. Works with L-shaped or U-shaped perimeter units.
Best for: Large kitchens with enough clearance on all sides of the island (minimum 1 metre, ideally 1.2 metres).
Critical check: Draw the island in Free Room Planner at your proposed dimensions and measure the clearances on all four sides before ordering it.
The Single-Wall Kitchen
All units and appliances line one wall. The most space-efficient option — used in studio flats and open-plan spaces where the kitchen shouldn't dominate.
Best for: Small flats, studio apartments, secondary kitchens, utility areas.
Limitation: Storage and worktop space is constrained. Maximise by fitting tall wall units and extending the worktop as far as the wall allows.
How to compare layouts in Free Room Planner
Open Free Room Planner, draw your kitchen walls to scale, and try each layout by dragging unit items from the furniture library. The snap-to-grid ensures accuracy. Measure clearances between units before committing to any layout.
Export your preferred layout as a PNG and share with your kitchen designer or fitter — arriving with a clear plan makes the design consultation faster and reduces the risk of miscommunication.