L Shaped Kitchen

Now it's time to have a look at layout options for L shaped kitchens.

The idea of this page, and others in the kitchen layout ideas section of this site is to concentrate on kitchen layout options, and save you spending hours browsing through interiors photos with different looks but similar layouts.

For all the layouts below there would be some flexibility for location of appliances. See How to Design a Kitchen for info on placing your appliances.

This page forms part of the kitchen design layout series on house plans helper.

Basic L Shaped Kitchen

Here's a kitchen design facing into an open plan space.

There's often a table in the middle. Read more about table clearance.

There's also some L shaped kitchens with islands to look at.

Here's a kitchen layout with one side of the L shape with full height cabinets.

Small L Shaped Kitchen Design

So how long does each part of the L need to be to include part of the kitchen triangle on both tails of the L?

A room with a run of at least 96 inches (8ft / 2.44m) for one side of the L and 36 inches (3ft / 92cm) on the other side will allow each tail of the L to accommodate an element of the kitchen triangle in a standard size. This happens to be very close to the recommended clearance for a run of units opposite a wall, otherwise you’ll have a galley kitchen design with a small tail for extra counter space and storage.

Another way of incorporating this kitchen is to build it into an alcove with pocket doors. That way you've got an open plan kitchen when the doors are open, or a self-contained kitchen with the doors closed. There's enough room to work in the kitchen with the doors closed as well.

Double L Shaped Kitchens

I guess these are really L kitchen designs with L shaped islands.

Here's a simple arrangement where the L shaped island doesn't house any part of the kitchen triangle.

Here's a similar arrangement with a slightly bigger island which accommodates the sink comfortably and includes a bar height section on the island to provide visual privacy.

Double L shaped kitchen with L shaped kitchen island

The kitchen layout below is handy if you want the entrances to the kitchen to be opposite each other.

Here's a kitchen layout with elements of the kitchen triangle orientated at 45°.

Double L shaped kitchen 45 degree orientation

Broken L Shaped Kitchen

We’re getting into cloudy terminology now – is this a broken L with a kitchen island, or a broken U, or a galley kitchen with an island and an extra run of units?

The kitchen triangle should be kept to the runs of units facing each other. On the 'spare' run of units this arrangement has the usual base and wall cabinets with counter space. You could go for full height or three quarter height kitchen cabinets as well.

L Shaped Kitchen with a Peninsula

Again - the terminology is a bit cloudy here as this could also be described as a U shaped kitchen with an extra few cabinets on the end.

I think the extra bit would make a great desk area - a place to have the laptop and do a bit of paperwork while keeping an eye on the cooking.

Read more about kitchen dimensions and kitchen cabinet dimensions to figure out how this kitchen layout might fit into your space.

Functionality

The main goals of good kitchen design layout are to...

Have sufficient counter space.
Have sufficient storage. Have a look at some different kitchen storage solutions and kitchen storage ideas.
Have an effective layout, including a kitchen triangle (I call it a kitchen polygon!)
Have the right amount of ‘preparation privacy’ for you. That’s the amount of physical and visual privacy from the dining area and the rest of the home.

So now that we’ve had a look at all the layouts let’s discuss how these kitchens perform in relation to the kitchen design layout goals.

Counter Space

Counter space can be at a bit of a premium, particularly if the L isn't very big. You could look at using an under the counter refrigerator to free up a bit more counter space, or if there's room, make it a kitchen with an island. If the kitchen table is nearby it doubles up well as extra counter space during preparation.

Storage

Storage space can be hard to come by in small L shaped kitchens, particularly if there's not many wall cabinets. Again adding an island helps to solve this problem or try some of these kitchen storage ideas.

There might be room for a free standing dresser or credenza to supplement the storage.

Layout Effectiveness

Provided that the rules of thumb for kitchen triangle dimensions are followed the layout will function well. If you have a big kitchen don't be tempted to space things out - keep the kitchen triangle compact in one area of the kitchen and just enjoy the rest of the counter space.

Preparation Privacy

The L shaped kitchen is one of the least private kitchen designs when there's no island. If you're someone that's happy to talk to your guests while you cook an L shape isn't ideal because you will have your back to people most of the time.