One of the most popular kitchen designs, u-shaped kitchens have a definite advantage over other arrangements. The design is characterized by kitchen worktops along three of the four walls of a kitchen, giving the maximum amount of surface from which to prepare food and allowing multiple people to be working on a meal at a time. This shape tends to reduce the amount of travelling around the kitchen a user needs to do, since everything should be within reasonable distance, while maximizing space and storage options.
Despite this, the u-shape design is not successful in all kitchens. Some are simply too small to accommodate three walls worth of cabinets, which doesn’t leave enough standing space inside, while some kitchens are too large, so that the convenient aspect of the design is lost. We have a few other helpful hints that will ensure you are able to get the most from your kitchen layout.
Dealing with Larger Kitchens
A u-shaped kitchen doesn’t have to fill the entirety of three sides of the kitchen. Those with much bigger kitchens often prefer to fill one wall and then part of the walls on either side, leaving space for dining at the end. If you have a lot of extra room to fill, a kitchen island is a very efficient way to do this, giving the room a contemporary finish as well as extra storage and space to prepare food.
Creating Light
However big or small the kitchen may be, a u-shaped design can sometimes make it feel smaller, since the room is surrounded by cabinets. The best way to counteract this is to ensure the room is light and airy in appearance. Big, open windows allow natural light to flood the room, but if this is not possible, ensure your artificial lights work hard to eliminate dark spots. Spotlights above main working areas are a great idea, as is undercabinet lighting, giving a soft glow to those harder-to-reach areas.
Brightening Aesthetics
Smaller kitchens, in particular, benefit from colours and finishes that reflect light back into the room. Choose gloss finishes for best effect and lighter woods to prevent the kitchen from feeling too dark. White or cream helps to brighten the space and avoid darker shades that will make the room feel very enclosed and small. Larger kitchens look better with a matt finish and give the opportunity to be a little bolder in your colour choices. Meanwhile, handleless cabinets give an extra centimeter of space in all kitchens, while also being very up-to-date with modern trends.
If you have chosen to work with a u-shaped kitchen, there are lots of ways you can make it your own, bringing your own design personality to the room while ensuring it is functional and maximizes space. Take our tips and use them to create your dream kitchen.