Popular L-shaped Kitchen Plans
What is an L-Shaped kitchen plan?
Whether you’ve already begun tearing out your old cabinets or are just pondering the thought of a kitchen remodel, it’s a great idea to have a basic idea of what you’re looking for. One of your first considerations when designing a kitchen should be basic layouts and how to use your chosen plan ergonomically. You might be a bit skeptical of feng shui, but ergonomics is something you should get behind. Ergonomics is the process of creating and designing workspaces so that they fit the people who use them. In the case of creating a kitchen layout, it is used to form a space that is as fluid for the human body as possible. Considering this, the L-Shaped kitchen earned its way to the top of our list of the most popular kitchen layouts. While sleek and clean, it is known for its flexibility to adapt to any kitchen size while maximizing the available space. Another benefit of L-shaped kitchen designs is that they include countertops that come together using only two walls which helps to frame the room and retain an open concept feel. The L shape provides a design that can comfortably fit most homes. This style came about long ago but has gained popularity as homes became more modern and focused on creating the illusion of a larger space and accessibility to those who use it. So if improving the ergonomics of your home is a top priority, this kitchen style is ideal.
Popular L-Shaped kitchen plan designs
L-shaped kitchen floor plans are typically featured in smaller spaces because of their ability to maximize usable space and capture efficiency. However, they are great for any kitchen size. No matter how much room you have to work with, homeowners know that the most essential part of a kitchen is the “work triangle.” The work triangle refers to the three key components that are deemed most important to the integrity of a kitchen: fridge, stove, and sink. The external facing leg of the L-shape should contain any permanent elements such as the stove and sink. This is so that plumbing and gas hookups are situated appropriately. The other leg provides enough surface for preparing food and extra storage. This design is tried and true, however with minimal storage under the counters, it is a good idea to consider utilizing wall mounted cabinets and trendy pot racks.
Apartment sized Kitchen
It can be challenging to maximize space in smaller apartments without giving up some essential appliances on your list. However, L-shaped kitchen layout plans work well in apartments as long as it’s done right. Because available space is so limited, it is important to have a professional strategically place each component. So what are some ways we can start? For example, correctly fitting a sink into the corner of the L allows both legs to be utilized for food preparation. Also, opting for a smaller sized refrigerator is ideal if you can manage to keep your inventory of perishables down. Most importantly, don’t forget about the floating space. Placing a microwave overhead above your stove can also be a way to maximize space as long as it fits the scheme of your cabinets. As far as cabinets go, simple will be your best bet. The idea is to create storage without overwhelming the kitchen. In small spaces, it is best to keep things minimalistic and clean with a modern design to avoid cramming. Remember, lack of space does not mean lack of style. This is where you can get creative. For example, a mixture of drawers and shelves can make storing appliances simple, while decorative glass jars can store food for preparations. Open shelves can also be utilized to store appliances while avoiding the bulkiness of cabinet doors.
Pro tip: match your appliances to the scheme of your kitchen, and they’ll blend like decorations.
Do: Measure all appliances beforehand to ensure that they will fit the “L” without taking away from necessary preparation space.
Do: Opt for cabinetry and appliances that are sleek and minimalist. This will help you avoid the appearance of over cramming.
Small Kitchens
If you enjoy cooking, having a small kitchen can be somewhat challenging. Finding a place for everything without feeling somewhat trapped can be an arduous task. However, small kitchens are the L-shapes bread and butter. Whether you’re looking for an open concept design or trying to maximize working space, the L-shape keeps things simple. One leg of the L should be set against a wall and contain most larger appliances, while the other can be free-standing. Some homes allow the plumbing to be rerouted which would make it possible to put a sink in the free-standing side. Nonetheless, the L-shaped kitchen gives you options. If you want to create multi-use, adding bar stools to one side of the free-standing leg can double as an eating area.
As far as cabinets go, you’ll want to keep things simple. If you choose to have one leg of the L free-standing, it would be a good idea to incorporate full-length cabinets on the wall side. This will provide you with enough room for storage without giving up your extra eating space. However, if both legs of the L are set against a wall, floating cabinets will provide enough storage without being too overwhelming. If you find yourself needing more room for food, dishes, or appliances, you can even go with a mixture of the two. Just be sure that you are leaving enough wall or window space so that the kitchen flows well with the rest of your home.
Another optional addition to the L-shaped kitchen is the island. If both legs of the L are set against a wall, opting to have a small island in the middle is a beautiful way to create surface area and extra storage. However, in smaller kitchens, it is important to note that the island may take up too much space and make the kitchen appear smaller. In this case, the space in the center of the L can be reserved for a small dinette table and chairs. If you choose to go the route of adding a dinette, you should take note of how much working space you will need between the table and countertops. For smaller kitchens, the rule of thumb is to have at least 32 inches of space behind your table, but the more the merrier!
Mid-sized Kitchens
A mid-sized space provides more of an opportunity to play around with the floor plan when designing your new kitchen. Though there are a few options when it comes to deciding the layout for your mid-sized kitchen, the L-shape is very popular; and for good reason. The L-shape allows an immense amount of room for creativity during a kitchen remodel while eliminating the risk of things getting too tricky and looking out of order. Because of this, making the most out of your L-shaped kitchen is easy as long as you follow the rules of the work triangle. Unlike the apartment sized L-shape, larger kitchens provide you with the ability to expand the scale of your work triangle. Instead of placing your sink in a tight corner, purchase a beautiful double basin sink and make it a focal point. In this scenario, you’re free to mix and match full sized cabinetry with floating cabinets and pot racks alike.
Mid-sized L-shape kitchens are the perfect candidate to take advantage of an island. If you add bar stools to one side, this space can also serve as an area for guests to sit while you cook and entertain. Because you have a little extra room, the bar stools will increase the usability of the space without taking away from working area. If you need to conserve space because one of your goals is to also have a dining table, opting for an open space beneath your island serves as a trendy space to store the stools while they aren’t in use. However, in this case, you may have to give up underneath the island storage space.
Do: Find an island that is large enough to serve food and coffee, but doesn’t take away from the efficiency of your kitchen.
Large Kitchens
The L-shaped kitchen can make a large room feel even larger without the risk of appearing empty. With a bigger space, you will have a lot more room to play around with your layout. For example, one leg of the L can be set against the wall, while the other strategically sections off a room. This is used to sustain an open concept while clearly defining living spaces. In this case, both the leg and an island can be used for extra seating. On the other hand, both legs can be set against the wall and used only for preparation, while the island takes over as the focal point. If an island isn’t your style, this large space is perfect for your dining table. Bringing the dining table into your kitchen creates an intimate setting that is optimal for serving and entertaining guests. Another advantage of this is allowing the whole family to socialize as dinner is being prepared. On the other hand, if your family typically eats at different times, it creates a space where some can eat while others cook.
Another advantage of the large-scale L-shape is that you don’t have to go without any of your favorite appliances. Need a double stove or stacked oven? No problem. The L-shape can be expanding any which way, as long as your work triangle is somewhat concentrated to a specific area. Cabinets and drawers can vary in size in a large kitchen, so play around with different arrangements.
Do: Take advantage of your large space when remodeling your kitchen. Every family loves to eat, and the kitchen is the best place to bring them together.
Don’t: Expand your work triangle too far to where it becomes less functional.
Wrapping up
Paying attention to traffic flow, entry, and exit points are all important when it comes to choosing a kitchen layout and improving your L-shaped kitchen. The L-shaped kitchen plan is the best way to ensure that all these points are covered because its design keeps the work zone restricted to just two sides of the room, leaving the rest for free space and entertaining. Aside from that, the design is easily shifted to any sized kitchen. Lucky for you, once you decide on the L-shape, all you have to do is configure what goes where. The L-shape gives you a solid base to create various plans around important appliances and amenities. From full to floating cabinets and drawers, the amount of storage can be easily adjusted. Because the L-shape makes excellent use of space, islands and dinette tables are encouraged based on each given kitchen which opens up opportunities to expand your kitchens purpose. Whatever the size of your kitchen, the L-shape is renowned for its adaptability; this allows it to be easily flexible toward your design taste and requirements.
Do: Focus on creating an aesthetically pleasing environment while adhering to the rules of ergonomics.
Don’t: Do it all by yourself. Designing a kitchen start to finish can be overwhelming, and it is best to let a professional help you along the way. A great contractor will value your vision and opinions and help bring your dream kitchen to life.
