Kitchen Layouts Laid Out: 10 U-Shaped Kitchens
A home cook's dream, the U-shaped kitchen is fabulously functional, keeping everything within easy reach
A U-shaped kitchen ticks all the boxes when it comes to functionality and design. It can utilise the ‘golden triangle’ where the fridge, sink and oven/stovetop are all easy to reach, making cooking, prep and cleaning a breeze. Another bonus is that the layout provides maximum storage in a tight space – perfect for a busy family kitchen or a small city apartment. Take a look below and see if a U-shaped kitchen could be perfect for your home.
2. Glass display cabinets
Award-winning interior designer Greg Natale utilised every centimetre when designing this U-shaped kitchen in a Sydney apartment. Detailed cornices, panelled doors and diamond-shaped tiles are a nod to the vintage era, while the high-tech appliances and modern surfaces have a contemporary edge. To avoid a claustrophobic feel in the window-free space, the row of glass display cabinets in olive green feature internal and under-mounted lights to provide a sense of light and space in the tight zone. The wall cabinets also show off decorative and functional pieces, adding personality to the sophisticated space.
Award-winning interior designer Greg Natale utilised every centimetre when designing this U-shaped kitchen in a Sydney apartment. Detailed cornices, panelled doors and diamond-shaped tiles are a nod to the vintage era, while the high-tech appliances and modern surfaces have a contemporary edge. To avoid a claustrophobic feel in the window-free space, the row of glass display cabinets in olive green feature internal and under-mounted lights to provide a sense of light and space in the tight zone. The wall cabinets also show off decorative and functional pieces, adding personality to the sophisticated space.
3. Contemporary veneer
These days, reconstituted timber veneer not only adds warmth and refined lines to a kitchen, it’s also durable and easy to clean. Here, veneer surfaces have a wraparound effect, adding continuity to the U-shaped kitchen on all sides.
These days, reconstituted timber veneer not only adds warmth and refined lines to a kitchen, it’s also durable and easy to clean. Here, veneer surfaces have a wraparound effect, adding continuity to the U-shaped kitchen on all sides.
4. Extensive storage
As any cook knows, you can never have too much storage in a kitchen. That’s why a U-shaped kitchen is a home cook’s dream, with a mix of cupboards, drawers and shelving on offer. In this kitchen, elongated cabinets were added to store everything from cookbooks to a handy spice rack. Every item is edited and ordered to turn the kitchen into a well-organised machine!
Check out more clever kitchen storage solutions
As any cook knows, you can never have too much storage in a kitchen. That’s why a U-shaped kitchen is a home cook’s dream, with a mix of cupboards, drawers and shelving on offer. In this kitchen, elongated cabinets were added to store everything from cookbooks to a handy spice rack. Every item is edited and ordered to turn the kitchen into a well-organised machine!
Check out more clever kitchen storage solutions
5. Central workstation
A U-shaped kitchen doesn’t have to be a long, narrow space. Here, the large kitchen includes a dining zone that doubles as a workstation – a handy place to chop, prep and plate. This centrepiece utilises extra storage with built-in shelving. A favourite option for a busy family, the space can also be utilised as a homework centre or home office.
More: To-Die-For Eat-in Kitchens of Every Shape and Size
A U-shaped kitchen doesn’t have to be a long, narrow space. Here, the large kitchen includes a dining zone that doubles as a workstation – a handy place to chop, prep and plate. This centrepiece utilises extra storage with built-in shelving. A favourite option for a busy family, the space can also be utilised as a homework centre or home office.
More: To-Die-For Eat-in Kitchens of Every Shape and Size
6. Clever pantry idea
In a U-shaped kitchen, it’s important to figure out how to best utilise the pantry. After all, opening doors can get in the way, especially when more than one cook is in the kitchen. To avoid this problem, this pantry includes bi-fold doors that are never in the way. In fact, the sight line makes them almost unnoticeable.
In a U-shaped kitchen, it’s important to figure out how to best utilise the pantry. After all, opening doors can get in the way, especially when more than one cook is in the kitchen. To avoid this problem, this pantry includes bi-fold doors that are never in the way. In fact, the sight line makes them almost unnoticeable.
7. Appliances at one end
This elegant U-shaped kitchen on Sydney’s Lower North Shore is well thought out. The central section of the kitchen utilises plenty of drawers for cookware and utensils, while the appliances are positioned at one end. It means that the home’s spectacular harbour views are never compromised, but the appliances are easy to reach.
This elegant U-shaped kitchen on Sydney’s Lower North Shore is well thought out. The central section of the kitchen utilises plenty of drawers for cookware and utensils, while the appliances are positioned at one end. It means that the home’s spectacular harbour views are never compromised, but the appliances are easy to reach.
8. Colour wraparound
Candy-pink cabinetry in this U-shaped kitchen provides beautiful symmetry. And while the gloss white surfaces are understated, they’re never ignored. The funky circular unit at one end provides an effective place to dine and socialise.
Candy-pink cabinetry in this U-shaped kitchen provides beautiful symmetry. And while the gloss white surfaces are understated, they’re never ignored. The funky circular unit at one end provides an effective place to dine and socialise.
9. Plenty of light
In a U-shaped space, both natural and artificial light illuminate the different zones. Here, the angled window is complemented by a selection of downlights and LED strips for cooking and prepping. And in this slender space the ‘golden triangle’ of a sink, fridge and oven/stovetop is seamlessly integrated.
In a U-shaped space, both natural and artificial light illuminate the different zones. Here, the angled window is complemented by a selection of downlights and LED strips for cooking and prepping. And in this slender space the ‘golden triangle’ of a sink, fridge and oven/stovetop is seamlessly integrated.
10. Timber dining table
This U-shaped kitchen has added room for dining. The average height of a benchtop is 850-900mm. This is great when guests enjoy sipping a cocktail on a high stool but it can be uncomfortable for a full dining experience. That’s why this lower timber dining unit works a treat – for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
TELL US
Have you cooked in a U-shape kitchen? What are the advantages? Are there any downsides? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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This U-shaped kitchen has added room for dining. The average height of a benchtop is 850-900mm. This is great when guests enjoy sipping a cocktail on a high stool but it can be uncomfortable for a full dining experience. That’s why this lower timber dining unit works a treat – for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
TELL US
Have you cooked in a U-shape kitchen? What are the advantages? Are there any downsides? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
MORE
Kitchen Layouts Laid Out: L-Shaped Kitchens
How to Choose the Right Kitchen Layout for You
Kitchen Inspiration: 10 Creative Kitchen Islands to Escape to
Here is a good example of the sink, fridge and oven/stovetop being positioned on each point of a triangle for easy access. Even in a tight space, there’s plenty of benchtop space for prep and cleaning, while the side-by-side fridge is fully integrated to provide a seamless effect.