How to design the perfect U-shaped kitchen | homify (2024)

To each his own, yet the results are in: most people prefer a u-shaped kitchen to other layouts. Also known as a c-shaped kitchen, a u-shaped kitchen layout comprises workspace on three adjoining walls of cabinetry, with an open end for access.

For a small u-shaped kitchen, the opposing runs effectively become a galley layout, but with one end closed off. Although this galley format also works for larger kitchens, the workspace’s efficiency can be reduced if the opposing runs are set too far apart.

But before you dial up a professional Kitchen Planner to come and completely renovate your culinary space, did you do your homework on u-shaped kitchen ideas?

Pros: As a u kitchen has three walls or cabinet sections, chances are good that you’ll have adequate storage space relative to your kitchen’s size. And seeing as your appliances will be closer together (especially in smaller layouts), moving from one spot to the other can be achieved quite quickly. Another advantage is that u-shaped kitchens are perfect for keeping the cooking zone separate from the living/dining areas.

Cons: It’s very easy for the u-shaped kitchen to feel cramped because of how close those appliances are to one another. As a result, you may not have enough room to operate during meal prep, and cooking may not be a functional process for you. Cabinetry isn’t always easy to access due to corners. And an island is usually out of the question.

The cabinetry forming your kitchen’s u-shaped layout can be roughly the same or vary in length; in both cases, there’s an opportunity for flexibility within the design. Where all walls are the same length (for example, 3m), your planning start point usually depends on where the windows are located.

But what if one of the walls has a window? Then we’d recommend pairing this with your kitchen sink. Not only will a window offer natural light for washing-up, but (hopefully) a fresh view as well.

If your sink is placed in the middle of the u-shaped layout, the hob can be located on either of the other runs. But if these two runs vary in length, it is recommended to place the hob on the longer one, which will allow more space on either side of it.

If your sink is on a run other than the middle one, it’s best to try and ensure a continuous flow of worktop around the ‘u’. Thus, if your kitchen possesses tall units, this would mean locating them together at the furthest end of the cabinetry run. This would place them opposite, but along from the sink. Placing them in this format ensures that your worktop is not interrupted, and the kitchen’s functionality (in the form of a galley layout) is unhampered.

A u-shaped kitchen is the perfect opportunity for symmetry within a design (as long as it doesn’t compromise the kitchen’s usability).

Usually, it’s advised to pick an appliance (like an oven or oversized extractor) for the midpoint of the central run. Then you work outwards, implementing furniture and appliances accordingly.

Regardless of size, a well-planned u-shaped kitchen design will ensure that only a limited number of steps are required between different units and appliances. This makes the kitchen a much safer place during cooking, especially when others are present.

Furthermore, generous worktop- and storage capacity puts everything you need within easy reach, plus ensures all kitchenware has its own storage place. This results in a kitchen that can be tidied up in no time.

One of the best benefits of a u-shaped kitchen is that having three runs of cabinetry provides plenty opportunity for storage. However, the two corners in a typical u-shaped kitchen take up a significant amount of the available floor space.

In order to achieve an ergonomically sound design, it’s important to select a specialist kitchen corner solution, such as a carousel or a LeMans corner unit. These make perfect use of otherwise dead space within corner units.

A lot of homeowners that go for u-shaped kitchens request curves instead of square edges for the internal corners. Curved corners are perfect for creating a stylish, flowing design and softening a kitchen’s look. However, this design does come with a few drawbacks, mainly a reduction in storage space.

Most curved units don’t continue fully into a kitchen’s corners and consequently reduce access and use of this space. This may not be an issue for larger u-shaped kitchens, but should be kept in mind when planning a smaller layout.

Since a u kitchen presents the most space for cabinets (as they can flank on a minimum of three sides), all those closed cabinet doors can make your cooking space seem and feel a tad restricted. So, break that monotonous look with some open shelving, which can also help keep your everyday items, like coffee mugs and dinner plates, close at hand.

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