Remodeling your kitchen allows you to finally add all of those features you’ve always wanted. An eye-catching kitchen island, that handy hanging pot rack, a wine cooler — whatever it is you’ve always dreamt about can now be a part of your home. But the first step in a kitchen remodel and the key to making sure your dream features fit in with your design is choosing the right layout. Determining what kitchen layout is best for your family and home is based on a few factors. Read on to learn about the most common kitchen layouts so you can choose one that will work great for you.

L-Shaped Layout

This classic layout is a popular choice in both small and large kitchens. Two appliances are installed against one wall (for example, the oven and dishwasher) and one appliance on the other (for example, the refrigerator). How you arrange your L-shaped kitchen is usually dependent on the existing plumbing and electric. However, you can reposition the wiring and supply lines if you want to include that in your renovation. In larger spaces, a kitchen island can be installed in the center of the room to accent your L-shaped layout and offer additional storage and countertop space.

U-Shaped Layout

A U-shaped layout is also common in kitchen design. This setup takes advantage of all three walls, spreading out appliances evenly. If square footage isn’t plentiful, a U-shaped design is not ideal, as the center of the room will feel extremely crowded. Only opt for this layout if you have the space to accommodate the kitchen cabinets and countertop that will border the entire room. If you do, a U-shaped layout offers extra prep space and is a great design for those who like to cook.

G-Shaped Layout

The G-shaped layout is a popular choice in modern home design. Similar to the U-shaped layout, the G-shaped kitchen offers an extended countertop along a portion of the fourth wall. If you like the idea of an open concept design that joins the living room and kitchen but still want some defined separation, the G-shaped layout will work for you. Replace the fourth wall with countertop to combine the two rooms without joining them completely.

I-Shaped Layout

This design is less common than the others but in small homes it makes the most of the area by keeping appliances on one single wall. With this layout, you lose a lot of countertop space (making cooking a little less convenient) but you gain extra floor space that can be used for a breakfast table or a bar-top kitchen island with stools for seating. In some contemporary home designs where the kitchen, living room and dining room are joined to form a great room, homeowners prefer an I-shaped layout to create more flow and space for entertaining.

When deciding which of these four kitchen layouts is right for you take into consideration the size of the room, the way in which it is predominately used (for cooking, entertaining, eating, etc.) and the current plumbing and electrical hookups. If you weigh all of these factors before starting your kitchen remodel, the renovation will run smoothly and the end result will be both visually pleasing and functional.    
 
 At TheRTAStore we help make your dream kitchen a reality with RTA (Ready To Assemble) cabinets, Pre-Assembled cabinets, and accessories with the same (if not better) quality you would find at any retail store but for a fraction of the price. Stop by our website or give us a call and let one of our friendly kitchen designers help make your kitchen dreams come true!