Which kitchen layout is right for your room?
There are six common kitchen layouts. A one wall kitchen puts everything on a single wall and suits small spaces and open plans. A galley uses two parallel runs and is the most efficient for one cook. An L-shaped kitchen uses two walls and one corner and suits most medium rooms. A U-shaped kitchen uses three walls and two corners for the most storage. An island adds a freestanding run to an L or one wall kitchen when the room allows about 42" to 48" of walkway around it. A G-shaped kitchen is a U with a peninsula. The shape of the room usually decides it: count the walls you can build on and the corners you will need to fill. RTA Cabinets Plus stocks the base, wall, tall and corner cabinets for all six, and the boxes click together on a licensed system.
What each layout is, in one line.
- One wall
- Every cabinet and appliance on one wall. No corners, the smallest footprint, and often paired with an island in an open plan.
- Galley
- Two parallel runs with a walkway between. No corners, short distances, and the most counter for the floor space.
- L-shaped
- Two runs meeting at one corner. Open on two sides, so it works with a table or an island.
- U-shaped
- Three runs and two corners. The most storage and counter, for a room wide enough to keep a walkway in the middle.
- Island
- A freestanding run in the middle of the room, added to an L or one wall kitchen, for prep, seating or the sink.
- G-shaped
- A U-shaped kitchen with a peninsula off one end, giving a third corner and a counter that can seat people.
Corners, walls and what each one is best at.
| Walls and corners | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| One wall | 1 wall, no corners | Small kitchens, apartments, open plans, and the lowest cabinet count |
| Galley | 2 parallel walls, no corners | Narrow rooms and one main cook; the most counter per square foot |
| L-shaped | 2 walls, 1 corner | Most medium kitchens; room left for a table or an island |
| U-shaped | 3 walls, 2 corners | Larger kitchens that want the most storage and counter |
| Island | An L or one wall, plus a freestanding run | Open plans with room to walk around it; seating and a second work zone |
| G-shaped | 3 walls plus a peninsula, 3 corners | Large rooms that want a U plus seating without a full island |
Four questions that pick the layout for you.
- How many walls can take cabinets? Count the walls without a doorway, window wall or walkway in the way. One wall means one wall or galley; two means L; three means U or G.
- How wide is the room? Two runs of 24" deep cabinets with a 42" to 48" walkway between them need about 90" to 96" of room, before countertop overhang. Narrower than that, choose one run plus storage elsewhere.
- Where do the sink and range go? Moving a drain or gas line costs more than any cabinet. Most layouts start from where the plumbing already is.
- Do you want seating? An island or a peninsula gives counter seating. Each needs open floor around it, so check the walkway before you add one.
Not sure which one fits? Send the room.
- Get it drawn free
- Pick the layout on the design page, enter the wall lengths and where the sink, range and refrigerator go, and choose a door style and finish. Send the measurements and a designer draws the kitchen for free, within 1 business day: a floor plan, 3D renders, an itemized parts list and a price, with no obligation to buy.
- Mixed or unusual rooms
- For a G-shape, a peninsula or an angled wall, choose Upload picture on the design page and describe the shape in a line. A designer draws from your sketch or photo.
What people ask next.
What are the main kitchen layouts?
One wall, galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, island and G-shaped. They differ in how many walls the cabinets use and how many inside corners they create.
What is the most efficient kitchen layout?
For one cook, the galley: two parallel runs keep the sink, range and refrigerator a step or two apart. For more than one cook, an L-shaped kitchen with an island spreads the work out.
What is the best layout for a small kitchen?
A one wall or galley kitchen. Neither has an inside corner to fill, so more of the budget goes into usable drawers and doors, and both fit narrow rooms.
How much space do I need for a kitchen island?
A common guideline is about 42" of walkway on every working side of the island for one cook and about 48" for two, plus the depth of the island itself.
Can you design my kitchen layout for free?
Yes. Send the room on the design page and an RTA Cabinets Plus designer returns a floor plan, 3D renders, a parts list and a price within 1 business day, with no fee and no obligation to buy.
Who we areRTA Cabinets Plus is an independently owned retailer that sells ready to assemble kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities direct to homeowners, remodelers and trade buyers. Made by a manufacturer that builds cabinets for one of the largest semi-custom brands in the U.S.
What is an L-shaped kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
An L-shaped kitchen uses two walls and one corner. The cabinet run it needs, the corner choices, the sizes, the pros and cons, and a free design.
What is a U-shaped kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
A U-shaped kitchen uses three walls and two corners for the most storage. The cabinet run, corner choices, room width, pros and cons, and a free design.
What is a galley kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
A galley kitchen uses two parallel runs and no corners. The cabinet run, the walkway width, the pros and cons, and a free design from your measurements.
How do you plan a kitchen island, and what cabinets does it need?
Planning a kitchen island: the walkway it needs, the base cabinets and panels it is built from, seating overhang, a sink in the island, and a free design.
What is a one wall kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
A one wall (single wall) kitchen puts every cabinet and appliance on one wall. The cabinet run, how to fit it, pros and cons, and a free design.
What is a G-shaped kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
A G-shaped kitchen is a U with a peninsula. The cabinet run, the three corners, peninsula seating, room size, pros and cons, and a free design.
Want a person to check your plan?(305) 782-7587, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm ET. Or send your measurements for a free design.