The Shape of a kitchen is taken into consideration using many factors. The more common of them being the available space, the shaping of the walls and the floor, client requirements. While different places may have individual needs, the more commonly found variants of kitchens are listed below:-

L- Shaped Kitchens

An L-shaped Kitchen lends a nice linear look while maximising space utilisation in a small room. L-shaped kitchens are the most commonly found kitchens. A panty or tall storage cabinet can generally be added to the longer side along the wall while sink maybe used along the smaller size

U-Shaped Kitchens

U-shaped kitchens are recommended when enough space is there in the room and when a bigger kitchen is required. The plus point of it is that it tends to utilise the all the 3 walls of the room in the kitchen space while normally the wall with the door leading onto the kitchen room is the one that is left unutilised. It’s a real winner when a lot of kitchen work is being regularly done or where larger families may share a kitchen where more than one cook maybe present at a time.

A common mistake to be avoided in U-shaped kitchens is that available space between opposite sides must be adequate. A space of at least 3.5ft- 4ft should be there to have a carefree kitchen experience. While adequate spacing needs to be given, too much space may make it difficult to use the kitchen efficiently. One may use what is known as a Kitchen Work Triangle to find adequate spacing areas between different areas.

Straight Kitchens

Straight Kitchens are useful when a small space needs to be adjusted into a kitchen. One may find Straight kitchens in small studio aparments or pgs or where space maximisation has been done. You may also find straight kitchens in small office pantry’s rooms where a small area is utilised to store a hob and an oven with overhead cabinets for storage or at commercial spaces where an extra small kitchen area maybe needed.

The beauty of straight kitchens is that it gives adequate room for movement ahead to open cabinets, dishwashers etc and that it maybe place against a single wall.

Parallel Kitchens or Galley Kitchens

Parallel kitchens is a layout where the kitchen is placed on opposite sides. Again, care needs to be taken that spacing between the sides should be adequate – at least 3.5ft- 4 ft is recommended. It maybe useful in areas where a kitchen may oversee a balcony as is commonly found in flats nowadays or generally a room where two doors maybe there. Layouts where one wall maybe an open area, with natural flowing light via windows or glass doors, could really lit up a parallel kitchen beautifully.

Parallel kitchens are basically Two straight kitchen areas opposite to each other. While any side maybe used for tall storage and other cabinets, one side can be the main working area while the other the storage area. Parallel kitchens are also known as Galley Kitchens.

Island Kitchens

Island kitchens have become the ‘In thing’ nowadays. The popularity of island kitchens lies behind the fact that a small area separated from the main kitchen are is placed suitably creating a ‘me space’. The island maybe utilised as a work area, a separate eating counter with chairs or tall stools or just as a social gathering hub. Islands can also have storage spaces underneath it – Lighted Drawers add a real flair to such spaces.

An island countertop may generally be the same as the rest of the kitchen or one may go for marble counters and wooden finish. It’s recommended at larger rooms for a spacious feel while it may also be added as a small round island in smaller rooms.

Peninsula Kitchen or G-shaped Kitchens

Peninsula Kitchen is also similar to an island kitchen the difference being in an island kitchen the island counter is unconnected to the main kitchen while in a peninsula kitchen the peninsula counter is connected to the main kitchen. Peninsula kitchen gives the feel of an extra space because while the kitchen room is utilised for the main kitchen a peninsula counter is added adjacent to the kitchen and the room next door.

It can be used to create a divider between the kitchen and the adjacent room giving the feel of a bigger kitchen to a kitchen room which may otherwise be smaller.