The L-shaped layout is the virtually pop kitchen configuration, according to the NKBA 2019 kitchen blueprint trends. But what is an L-shaped kitchen layout? We asked a few transcend experts to explicate this layout too render advice for using it. After all, simply because it’s pop doesn’t hateful it’s the correct configuration for you.
L-shaped configurations are immensely popular. Image: Svet-Feo/Shutterstock
L-shaped kitchen layout options
“The L-shaped blueprint consists of ii adjoining, perpendicular walls of cabinets that shape a formidable ‘L’ shape,” explains David Shove-Brown, Partner at Washington, D.C.-based boutique blueprint theater //3877. He says its popularity is due to the layout’s adaptability.
“Typically, ane side is dedicated to smaller kitchen tasks too acts every bit abode base of operations for the sink too countertop appliances,” Shove-Brown says. “The other ‘wing’ is oriented for larger, to a greater extent than time-intensive activities, asset the attain too fridge too offering additional storage.”
An L-shaped configuration tin laissez passer the axe also include an island. Image courtesy of Joan Kaufman/Interior Planning & Design.
An L-shaped kitchen layout tin laissez passer the axe also direct hold some other form. “There tin laissez passer the axe hold out ane wall amongst a cooktop too some other amongst the sink,” explains Joan Kaufman, Interior Designer too President of Interior Planning & Design inwards Naperville, IL. But inwards this design, the fridge may non hold out inwards the L. “Often an isle is inwards the centre of this style kitchen.” An representative of an L-shaped kitchen designed past times Kaufman is above.
While the kitchen piece of work triangle is efficient, she says that planning for the isle is essential to ensuring that the infinite is efficient. “Determining if an ‘L’ is correct for a homeowner volition hold out largely influenced past times the floor plan too infinite availability.”
Incorporating a window
Michael Radovic, CKD at Showcase Kitchens, admits that he loves L-shaped kitchens because they are efficient too hold off great. “Being on Long Island, where in that location are to a greater extent than oft than non graciously-sized soul homes, nosotros typically add together a centre island, but the perimeter is where all the activeness is.” Radovic says that it’s preferable to pose the sink — too trendy faucet — inwards front end of a window, every bit his fellowship did inwards the blueprint above.
And that window tin laissez passer the axe render an awesome view. “The leg of the L is oft along an outer wall too yous tin laissez passer the axe make a large motion-picture demo window to an amazing landscape,” says George Bevan, Principal of the architecture theater Bevan & Associates inwards Sonoma, CA. “This allows for natural low-cal too consummate views of the outdoors.”
However, if yous desire a window behind the sink, sympathize how this volition alter the configuration. “It volition hold out an influencing ingredient inwards the placement of cabinetry too appliances inwards your kitchen,” Kaufman explains.
This style fits good inwards an opened upwardly concept design. Image: hikesterson/Getty Images
Open concept design
Open concept kitchens stay popular. “The L-shaped kitchen layout provides an slow selection for creating a seamless period of time betwixt the kitchen too following living spaces,” Shove-Brown explains. It does this past times keeping kitchen essentials express to ii outside walls. “Movement throughout the infinite is to a greater extent than fluid amongst this flooring plan.”
The piece of work triangle tin laissez passer the axe grip ii cooks
Chelsea Allard, VP of Design at Case Design/Remodeling inwards Charlotte, NC, also likes an L-shaped kitchen. “They are mutual because they tin laissez passer the axe make a dainty piece of work triangle betwixt the refrigerator, sink too cooking surface,” she says. “Now to a greater extent than than ever, we’re seeing L-shaped kitchens paired amongst islands to make split zones for multiple cooks.” Above is an L-shaped kitchen designed past times Allard’s company.
Shawn Breyer, Owner of We Buy Houses Atlanta, agrees that virtually homeowners too designers savor the opened upwardly layout of this flooring plan. “It spreads out the functional piece of work areas to brand a kitchen experience less cramped.”
There’s plenty of flooring space. Image: FluxFactory/Getty Images
It’s dandy for modest spaces
“These kitchen layouts piece of work good inwards lofts amongst industrial kitchens too opened upwardly concept flooring plans where the dining room or breakfast nook is incorporated into the space,” according to Ariel Richardson, the San Diego-based Interior Designer and Founder of ASR Design Studio. “It’s dandy for small- to medium-sized spaces where yous desire the kitchen to experience similar it’s component division of a larger space, such every bit a dining room too living room.”
An L-shaped kitchen tin laissez passer the axe also hold out intimate. Image: jujuenter/Getty Images
Shove-Brown says he’s seeing a lot of townhouses too even out buildings comprise the L-shaped kitchen concept. “This layout is also dandy for condos. The challenge is figuring out what people desire to encounter too what people don’t desire to encounter inwards their space,” he explains. For example, Shove-Brown says that spell L-shaped kitchens locomote on cleanup too cooking areas separate, everything is viewable to the following living spaces. “If you’re comfortable amongst an uninterrupted period of time betwixt each, too hence an L-shaped kitchen is a dandy fit.”
Dead zones tin laissez passer the axe waste product space. Image: Jimkruger/Getty Images
Potential problems
However, in that location are some downsides that homeowners should computer program to address. “In spaces modest too large, hold out aware of the ‘dead zones’ that tin laissez passer the axe emerge from this layout,” Shove-Brown warns. “In many instances, the corner infinite isn’t utilized properly.” He says the expanse is non quite equipped for active use, but also non quite correct for storage. If possible, Shove-Brown recommends limiting the size of this zone.
Don’t identify piece of work areas likewise far away. Image: BenAkika/Getty Images
And if yous don’t add together an island, Breyer notes some other issue. “The work amongst the L-shaped kitchen comes when the functional areas are likewise spread out, making the workspace inefficient.” He says an isle — fifty-fifty ane on casters that tin laissez passer the axe hold out moved — tin laissez passer the axe shorten the distances betwixt piece of work areas.
Appliances tin laissez passer the axe also hold out likewise close. Image: dit26978/Getty Images
However, sometimes there’s non enough distance. “In modest L-shaped kitchens, the appliances tin laissez passer the axe hold out likewise unopen together to render whatsoever effective prep space,” Allard explains. She points to restored ranch homes that didn’t direct hold an master copy dishwasher or microwave every bit an example. “In those cases, lengthening ane side too adding an isle tin laissez passer the axe aid to stretch out the zones, making them to a greater extent than appropriate for the agency nosotros motility today.”
L-shaped kitchens tin laissez passer the axe hold out to a greater extent than expensive than galley configurations. Image: Artazum/Shutterstock
Nathan Outlaw, President at Onvico, a full general contracting too design-build fellowship inwards Thomasville, GA, points out ii additional cons. “Compared to a galley kitchen, an L-shaped kitchen is to a greater extent than expensive, due to the extra complexity amongst cabinets too countertops and possibility of an island.”
And spell some families beloved opened upwardly concept styles for maximizing social interactions, that tin laissez passer the axe also hold out a drawback. “Sometimes an L-shaped kitchen tin laissez passer the axe hold out likewise inviting, making it harder for the make to ‘kick’ someone out,” Onvico says.