One major benefit of a U-shaped kitchen is that two or more cooks can operate at the same time - great for when you're entertaining or simply have a big family to feed! The U-shape layout also lends its hand to less traffic flow which helps keep people out of your hair when you're cooking.
U-shaped kitchens tend to provide plenty of storage.
With three connected walls, there is plenty of space for cabinets and drawers, which also means plenty of available storage space. On top of that, u-shaped kitchens can have space for a kitchen island.
U-Shaped kitchens are considered to be the ideal layout for home cooks, and according to Houzz, is the most popular layout of 2016. However, you'll find this layout lends more to traditional homes rather than the modern home.
A U-shaped kitchen is a common layout that features built-in cabinetry, countertops and appliances on three sides, with a fourth side left open or featuring a cased opening or entry door. In larger spaces with enough width, U-shaped kitchens are often outfitted with a freestanding island or seating.
U-shaped kitchen design disadvantages
Using cupboards and benches on three sides can reduce floor area. Bottom corner cabinets can be difficult to get into. A really large floor area can result in work stations being too far apart. A really tiny floor area can sometimes feel too enclosed.
The U-Shape
Arguably the most versatile layout for any size of kitchen, a U-shaped floor plan surrounds the user on three sides, so it allows for longer countertops and extra storage cabinetry. “If you have enough space, I love a U-shaped kitchen with an island in the center,” says interior designer Tina Rich.
The galley kitchen is the most efficient layout for a narrow space. It consists of work spaces on two opposing walls with a single traffic lane between. Placing the range or cooktop on one side of the kitchen and the refrigerator and sink on the opposite wall allows for easy workflow.
The six most common modular kitchen layouts are the L-Shaped, Straight Line, U-Shaped, Parallel or Galley, Island and Peninsula – each of these has it's own advantages and makes use of the work triangle differently.
180 to 440 Square Feet: is the range of kitchen size options you'll often see in new home designs. 225 Square Feet: a figure from Pi Consulting this is more in line with the overall national average for kitchen size as it relates to the average home size.
G shaped kitchen gives you a lot of space to keep items. However, if you are living in a small area then it could be too much to deal with. If you are not going to use everything in your kitchen, then there is really no reason to use this design!
The U-bars provide continuity of the deck reinforcement across the joint by lapping with the U-bars from the adjacent flanges. The 180° bend of the U-bar, embedded in the joint, provides mechanical anchorage that is necessary to minimize the required lap length.
U bar (majuscule: Ʉ, minuscule: ʉ) is a letter of the Latin alphabet, formed from U with the addition of a bar. In the International Phonetic Alphabet, the lowercase ʉ is used to represent a close central rounded vowel.
U-Shape Kitchens have widths that range from 9'-12' (2.7-3.7 m) and depths that vary as desired. U-Shape Kitchens should be planned with an overall area of roughly 107 ft2 (10 m2). U-Shape Kitchens are continuous kitchen layouts that locate cabinetry and fixtures along three adjacent walls in a U-Shape arrangement.
The L-shaped kitchen is one of the most popular layouts because it's super functional and can be adapted for almost any sized space. As the name implies, an L-shaped layout features cabinetry and appliances along two adjacent walls, creating an obvious triangle path between work zones.
According to the kitchen triangle rule, each side of the triangle should measure no less than four feet and no more than nine feet and, ideally, the perimeter of the triangle should be no less than 13 feet and no more than 26 feet. In other words, not too small and not too large.
The fridge should always be located in close proximity to a bench with ample available space. This will allow grocery loading to be prompt, meaning the door is open for a lesser amount of time, and when gathering ingredients for food preparation one can easily grab what is required and place down promptly on the bench.
Formerly known as the “Pullman kitchen,” the one-wall kitchen layout features cabinets and appliances located against a single wall. For small homes, like studio apartments and lofts, this format keeps everything within easy reach. Note, however, that this kitchen layout does not use the work triangle.
Case in point: the galley layout, which shapes the kitchen into a narrow aisle. By situating the cabinetry and appliances against opposite walls, full-height cabinets are a good option for taking full advantage of your wall real estate. Another idea for a small kitchen layout is to consider exposed cabinetry.
The L-Shaped Kitchen
This kitchen shape is one of the most flexible and most popular, providing a compact triangle.
Unlike a U-shaped kitchen, an L-shaped kitchen has just two main sides. These sides, which may be long or short, usually meet at a right angle. The two arms typically house the appliances, the sink, the cabinets and the countertops.