What is a U-shaped kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
A U-shaped kitchen runs cabinets along three walls, with two inside corners and a walkway in the middle. It gives the most counter and storage of any layout without an island, and puts the sink, range and refrigerator each on their own wall within a step or two. It needs a room wide enough for two runs of 24" deep base cabinets plus a walkway of about 42" to 48" between them, so about 90" to 96" across before countertop overhang. Each corner takes a lazy susan, a blind corner base or a corner sink base. RTA Cabinets Plus stocks every cabinet in the run, and the boxes click together on a licensed system.
What goes where in a U-shaped kitchen.
A typical plan: the sink on the back wall, the range and the refrigerator on the two sides.
- Both corners, base
- A lazy susan corner cabinet (33" or 36", needing that much wall on both sides of the corner), a blind corner base (42" or 48" wide, with a filler), or a 36" corner sink base. Using one of each type can balance the two corners against the wall lengths.
- Both corners, wall
- A diagonal corner or easy reach wall cabinet, each needing 24" of wall on both sides, or a 27" wall blind corner cabinet, lined up over the corner base.
- The back wall
- Usually the sink, often under a window. A sink base, 24" to 42" wide, or a 30", 33" or 36" farm sink base, with a 24" dishwasher opening beside it and a drawer base on the other side.
- One side
- A 30" or 36" range opening between drawer bases, 12" to 36" wide, with a 30" microwave wall cabinet or a hood above it.
- The other side
- The refrigerator and tall storage, at the open end. A 24" deep wall cabinet, 30", 33" or 36" wide, over the refrigerator, with a refrigerator return panel to frame its exposed side. A pantry, 18", 24" or 30" wide, or a 33" oven cabinet, 84", 90" or 96" tall, at the end of a run so it does not break up the counter.
- Above the counter
- Wall cabinets 12" deep, 30", 36" or 42" tall depending on the ceiling, in widths from 9" to 42", with crown molding on top and light rail underneath.
- The finish
- End panels at the two open ends, fillers at both corners and the walls, toe kick, crown and light rail.
Where a U-shaped kitchen works, and where it does not.
| Works well | Watch for | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | The most cabinets and counter without an island | More cabinets also means a higher cabinet count and price |
| Corners | Corner cabinets add deep storage | Two corners to plan; each needs room on both walls |
| Flow | Sink, range and refrigerator each on their own wall | One entry, so through traffic crosses the work area |
| Room | Encloses the kitchen from the rest of the house | Needs about 90" to 96" across; narrower feels cramped |
Four rules for a good U.
- Check the width first. Measure across the room at counter height. Two 24" deep runs plus a 42" walkway need about 90"; plus 48" for two cooks, about 96".
- Place both corners before anything else. Each corner cabinet claims wall on both sides, and the back wall has to carry both of them plus whatever sits between.
- Put the refrigerator at an open end. So it can be reached without crossing the cooking zone, with a return panel to finish its side.
- Leave the corners clear of the range and sink. Keep a drawer base or a filler between the corner and an appliance so doors and drawers can open.
Get your U-shaped kitchen drawn free.
- 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.
What people ask next.
What is a U-shaped kitchen?
A kitchen with cabinets on three walls, forming a U, with two inside corners and a walkway in the middle.
How wide does a room need to be for a U-shaped kitchen?
About 90" to 96" across: two runs of 24" deep base cabinets plus a walkway of about 42" for one cook or 48" for two, before countertop overhang.
What do you put in the corners of a U-shaped kitchen?
A lazy susan corner cabinet (33" or 36"), a blind corner base (42" or 48"), or a 36" corner sink base below, and a diagonal corner, easy reach or wall blind corner cabinet above.
Is a U-shaped kitchen better than an L-shaped kitchen?
It gives more storage and counter, but it needs a wider room and has two corners to fill instead of one. An L leaves two sides open for a table or an island.
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.
Which kitchen layout is right for your room?
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What is an L-shaped kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
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What is a galley kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
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How do you plan a kitchen island, and what cabinets does it need?
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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?
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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.