Careful planning can create a workable layout that packs a punch with practicality and design panache
Getting the design right is vital in creating an L-shaped kitchen that’s practical and which functions how you need it to — whether you’re designing one for a new home or extension, or as part of a renovation.
It’s a classic design which is why it’s still a popular composition. And it suits pretty much any size of kitchen, whether contemporary or traditional in style. “L-shaped kitchens are great for open-plan spaces, large and small, because they maximise the corners as well as creating even more worktop space,” says William Durrant, owner of Herringbone Kitchens.
“When designing an L-shaped kitchen, having cabinetry meet at a perpendicular angles opens the room up and provides more floor space. Which is particularly useful if you’re working with a small space,” explains Tori Summers, director of design and innovation at Howdens.
Successful designs will be those that use both vertical and horizontal lines to include as much storage and worktop as possible without overwhelming the space. “Also, capitalise on the extra space available in this type of layout by creating a kitchen-diner,” suggests Tori. “This multifunctional set-up works particularly well in a shaker design, as framed cabinetry was traditionally used in large farmhouses where families would dine together.”
Here are five key tips on how to design a functional L-shaped kitchen.
1 Lighting the space
L-shaped kitchens can have dark corners, where cabinets and worktops meet, so it’s important to factor in good lighting. Undercabinet LED strips combined with overhead spots (directional or recessed), and perhaps even lights in your kickboards, can all provide a balance of artificial light.
The flexibility offered by an L-shaped design means the kitchen can work well with sloping ceilings – this is ideal for a bank of rooflights – and large windows, too, which is also a great way to encourage natural light into the functional areas, usually along the longer wall of the two.
2 Adding an island
Is incorporating an island a good idea in an L-shaped kitchen? In principle it will come down to the amount of floor space you end up with. You can’t skimp on circulation space and you don’t want an island swamping the room.
“In practice the room needs to be 4x4m minimum.
