5 Reasons Why U-Shaped Kitchens Are a Blessing

Here is a guide to all the benefits that are packed into this cook-room style

Aditi Sharma Maheshwari11 July 2017

Blogger, dog mom

City dwellers are always looking out for smart, functional designs that look good and can pack a punch. In terms of kitchens layouts, one that definitely checks a lot of positive boxes is a U-shaped one. These kitchens allow for a lot of storage and surround a user with bench tops on three sides. If you’re in the process of renovating or are building your new home and wondering how to plan the kitchen, may we offer this helpful lookbook to help make up your mind.

1. A kitchen work triangle is widely considered an efficient system to bring into kitchens – it is where one is able to move easily and quickly between the sink, cooktop and refrigerator since everything is strategically situated together. This triangle is particularly easy to bring into a U-shaped kitchen. This space is a good example, where the stove (on the left), sink (in the centre) and fridge (on the right) are positioned at the points of a triangle for easy access.

Look at more photos of U-shaped kitchens

Capricoast Home Solutions

2. A horseshoe layout like this, with functional areas on three sides, makes it easy for two or more people to work at a time. In joint-family homes, where there is a lot of cooking done, often by several people at once, this provides more space for movement. Also, this layout allows for extra features to be installed, like double sinks and multiple-burner stoves.

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3. More storage is always welcome, and it is easier to fit into this type of a kitchen. The three-sided layout offers plenty of countertop space for appliances and smaller items, while the lower and the upper part can be utilised as cabinet space. In this image, the extensive floor cabinets, the wall units and the open shelves make the area a well-organised and effective machine.

Tip: Sometimes it becomes difficult to reach right to the back of a corner cabinet. Since a U-shaped kitchen has two corners, consider installing carousel cabinets in these spots. The revolving unit will be able to help you access things easily.

Browse photos of cabinets in U-shaped kitchens

Shubham Photography

4. Due to the three-sided design of the U-shaped kitchen, often there is plenty of empty space left in the middle of the kitchen or on the fourth side. If space permits, you could add extra counter space with an island, either in the centre of the kitchen or as the fourth side of the layout. See how, in this large kitchen, the third wall has been used for a floor-to-ceiling window while the island doubles as a handy extra place to chop, prep and plate.

Keep these essential points in mind when designing an island kitchen

Mal Corboy Design

5. This layout is full of possibilities for those who love design and decor and the challenges of accessorising. This kitchen, with elongated counter space, two kinds of cupboards (above and below), built-in appliances, a splashback running along three adjoining walls and a tiled floor, provides ample and diverse surfaces, ripe for accessorising.

Here, the bright-pink wall cabinets are juxtaposed with the glossy white storage units below to create a striking space. The circular unit at one end is a funky twist to the conventional rectangular island.

Wondering what’s the best material for kitchen cabinets? Here are some great options

Read more:
5 Things to Know Before Installing a Modular Kitchen
7 Ways to Modernise Your Kitchen

Tell us:
What kind of kitchen layout do you have? Is it effective? Tell us why in Comments below.