What are the different types of kitchen floorplans

Types of Kitchens

Whether or not the kitchen is considered a work area or a social space may also influence what type of arrangement is planned. Traditional planning has suggested that there were a few common arrangements of kitchen areas and that these could be planned into a variety of spaces, In fact, certain arrangements lend themselves to either a closed arrangement's typical of a work-type kitchen, or an open arrangement, typical pf a social kitchen with centers or zones for multiple activities. The physical space and the ability to renovate may dictate which is used.

Closed Arrangements

A closed arrangement indicates that the kitchen is probably best suited for one cook who works in isolation. These arrangements do not lend themselves to other family members or guests moving about, in or through the space. The following arrangements fall into this category:

U-shaped kitchen- This arrangement has two parallel cabinet/counter/work areas with a third area joining them, forming an arrangement similar to a U. Typically, a different type of work area is on each section: cooking, sink, refrigeration. This can be a very convenient arrangement for one person moving in between the various areas. Depending on the distance of work aisle, it can be fairly difficult for more than one person at a time to use it. However, a wide U-shaped kitchen that includes an island can a good layout for a multi-cook space.

Parallel or galley kitchen- This arrangement offers two parallel cabinet/counter/work areas, typically with a wall at the end, so that traffic does not go through the kitchen. At least two work areas have to be on the same side. Again, depending on the size of the work aisle, the arrangement might be best suited for only one cook.

G-shaped kitchen- This arrangement is a wide U-shaped kitchen, with a fourth arm turning back into the center of the space. This results in a fairly tight work area that lends itself to one cook, unless secondary work areas are planned along the outer arms.

All of these arrangements can be planned to feel more open by increasing the distance between the sides of the space and by creating a pass-through or peninsula counter. Dining areas or other social spaces might be planned at the open end of the arrangements to increase access.

OPEN ARRANGEMENTS

Open arrangements are more likely to be used if there are two cooks or if there will be several people in the kitchen area. Often these arrangements can combine with social spaces to create a multi-use space. These arrangements include:

L-shaped kitchen- This arrangement has two arms if work areas joined at one end to form an L-shape. Often one person could work on one side and another on the other side without too much interference. The open side of the arrangement might lend itself to a dining space, a seating arrangement or a work aisle.

One-wall kitchen- This arrangement puts all of the work areas on one wall. It can be an inconvenient kitchen because of the distance between the work centers on opposite ends of the wall, or if the distance is not too great, the amount of storage and counter space may limited. It does allow for an open space opposite the kitchen wall that could be used for dining and social areas.

Corridor kitchen- This arrangement is similar to the parallel kitchen, except that both ends are open. This allows for traffic through the work areas, which is not desirable. However, if alternate traffic can be arranged so that the traffic is only for the cook(s), then the arrangement may work for single or multiple cooks

Island kitchen- A separate work area or island can be incorporated into most of these kitchen configurations, provided there is room for the proper clearances in the work and traffic aisles. Island kitchens can be arranged in many different ways. The island is usually a workspace and may be combined with another activity area, such as dining. At least one side of the island faces a work area with a work aisle in between. The other side is more likely to be a traffic aisle or seating area, but it could be a work aisle as well.