At Foley, we meet with a lot of homeowners who are excited about finally tackling the Northern VA kitchen remodeling project they’ve long dreamed of. That initial excitement often gives way to stress when they’re faced with what feels like an overwhelming choice of kitchen layout options. We do our best to reassure our clients that the large selection design factors can actually make choosing a kitchen layout a lot of fun.

A Few Simple Questions

To determine the best kitchen layout for your family, ask yourself these simple questions:

• How much storage space do I need?
• How will my family use the area?
• What is my budget?

If you dream of a family-focused kitchen, you’ll probably want an island with casual seating as the kitchen’s focal point. If you love throwing parties and preparing gourmet meals, you may want to choose some upscale features like an island cooktop and oversized appliances.

Popular Kitchen Layout Ideas in Northern VA

There are four common kitchen layout designs: galley, one-wall, U-shaped, and L-shaped. Smaller rooms tend to be galley and one-wall designs. U-shapes allow for a lot of cabinet and storage space, while L-shape layouts are perfect for maximizing kitchens with corners. Two other layouts, the peninsula and island, are incorporated into the other four basic designs.

For your own remodeling project, you may need to stick with the layout you have but, depending on space and budget, you can choose to totally remake your kitchen into any style you want.

Galley

Ideal for small spaces, the galley kitchen – also known as a walk-through – is defined by two opposing walls or two parallel countertops that have a walkway between them. Galley kitchen layouts are incredibly efficient and make use of every square inch of available space. No corner cabinets also means a lower budget.  

 

One-Wall

Because it is the ultimate space saver, a one-wall (or Pullman) kitchen is popular for studios or loft, as appliances and cabinets are placed on a single wall. Today’s modern one-wall kitchen designs often include islands, which can give the kitchen a galley layout look.

 

U-Shape

Often referred to as the horseshoe kitchen layout, the U-shape has three walls which hold cabinets and appliances. Today, homeowners often choose the make the third “wall” an island instead. This layout design is ideal for people who want plenty of space for family and guests, and an unobstructed traffic flow for meal prep and cleanup.

 

L-Shape

A good design choice for smaller and medium-sized kitchens, the flexible L-shape layout is made up of countertops on two adjoining walls (the “L”). It’s the perfect choice if you’re looking to eliminate traffic. It also allows for the easy addition of a dining area and multiple work zones.

 

 

Peninsula

The peninsula layout uses a connected island that transforms an L-shaped layout into a U-shaped one, or turns a U-shaped layout into what’s called a G-shape design. The peninsula functions similar to an island, but doesn’t take up as much square footage as a true island might.

 

Island

A kitchen island layout is incredibly functional, but not every kitchen needs one. They tend to work best in larger kitchens. Working kitchen islands typically include prep space, storage cabinetry and seating. Many homeowners choose to include a sink, cooktop or wine cooler into their island.

Choosing a layout is probably the most important part of your new kitchen’s design. If you’re ready to get started on your Northern VA kitchen remodel, we would love to talk with you about how to select the best kitchen layout for your family and home.