A recent study showed that 10% of homeworkers used their kitchen as the primary room to work in. This makes it all the more important to find creative new ways to optimize these unconventional spaces to make the heart of the home not only functional and versatile, but a beautiful room people will love to spend their time in.
Awkward kitchen layout ideas
1. L-shaped kitchen layouts
An L-shaped layout is perfect for those who want to turn an awkward kitchen layout into a standout feature and social hub. This technique is all about creating separate living zones, which function as open-plan spaces.
For example, you could have an L-shaped counter on one side of a long kitchen paired with a facing seating area to create an open and inclusive ambience. Similar principles apply to awkward living room layouts covering long spaces.
2. Galley kitchen layouts
If you’re working with a cramped period property with odd angles, your aim should be to create a multipurpose space that will incorporate its quirky features into modern living.
Galley kitchen layouts are more suited to these narrower, unusual kitchen sizes and comprise a two-sided layout with countertops and kitchen appliances straddling a narrow aisle.
The benefits of a galley kitchen lie in its abundance of storage and surface space. With two rows of cabinets, you can eliminate the need for corner cupboards and free up some floor space. If you have enough room, you can even pair this layout with an island for a sociable set-up with a modern feel. A galley layout can also work for larger spaces to create two separate workstations, one of which could be a dining area.
3. U-shaped kitchen layouts
U-shaped kitchen layouts are similar to the galley kitchen in the way that it maximizes storage and workspace, keeping the room clutter-free. You can keep the views from windows unobstructed and make room for a lovely dining area by neatly slotting the kitchen into large enough nooks. Curved cabinets also add interesting dimensions, showcasing the flow of the room.
A U-shaped layout also works really well with a kitchen island as a centrepiece or even coupled with barstools that transform your counters into a breakfast bar. Another popular choice is planning a peninsula into the U-shape in order to retain that open-plan feel.
4. Kitchen island layouts
The duality of kitchen islands can’t be understated. Not only are they sleek and modern, but they are perfect for combined kitchen and dining areas. An excellent option for an awkwardly shaped kitchen is an island sink or hob, which will allow for more counter space elsewhere in the room and create an open partition for other areas in the room.
You can be very savvy with this if you opt for islands that incorporate added storage space. With a set of classy slimline barstools, you’re able to tuck away seating when it’s not in use.
Be careful, however, to keep your measurements realistic and practical – you don’t want to restrict mobility around the kitchen or compromise on countertops.
5. The kitchen working triangle
A key tip is to ensure that the kitchen work triangle doesn’t become obstructed. The kitchen work triangle is the triangular shape created by the three main workstations in the kitchen: the sink, refrigerator and oven. By considering this rule, you’ll have plenty of space to cook whilst your guests can move about freely in the kitchen.
Genius storage solutions
We have innumerable kitchen space-saving ideas up our sleeve, but here are just a few of the most effective ones you need to consider.
6. Space-efficient furniture
The first one is to think about space vertically. Will shelves take up less space than cupboards? Would taller cabinets be more efficient than wider ones? Are there narrow spaces you haven’t exploited the potential of? This could mean floor-to-ceiling units or shelves where you would traditionally have cupboards. You might even want to install rails along the gaps where your cabinets and appliances meet.
7. Multipurpose furniture
Can you invest in furniture with an inbuilt storage design? Benches and tables with storage compartments are perfect for keeping the kitchen tidy by storing utensils and appliances without wasting too much valuable space.
8. Collapsible and wall-mounted furniture
You can also allow for an adaptable kitchen design by incorporating folding chairs, barstools and slimline furniture into the mix. These pieces of furniture can be moved aside and tied away to provide more space when it’s required by you and your guests.
Wall-mounted design is also a quirky option that could make use of unusual features such as nooks and alcoves without being intrusive to the space. The same goes for chairs and tables with rounded edges – they provide a few extra inches and look trendy while doing so!
Creating the illusion of space
If you’re still concerned about the size of your kitchen, there are many tricks to make it appear larger.
9. Reflective surfaces
Decorating with mirrors and other reflective surfaces can create the illusion of depth and boost your kitchen’s lighting, by reflecting it back into the room. You can take this step to another level by pairing a mirror with walls painted with a nice sheen.
10. Lighting
Lighting is your friend. If you want to brighten the room and make it appear bigger make sure your kitchen is well-lit. This means making the most of windows and window placement as well as installing effective overhead lighting. Sliding or bi-fold doors are a great option here if your kitchen leads outside.
11. Layering and textures
In addition to brightening the kitchen with lighter colour schemes, you could simply layer textures and colours to draw the eyes and add depth. For example, geometric designs are perfect for kitchens as they lead the eye on vertical and/or horizontal paths, creating a sense of height and length.
12. Minimalism
In complete contrast to the previous suggestion, you could go minimal. Reduce unnecessary clutter and pare back accessories for a sophisticated, ‘clean’ look. You can soften up hard textures and tiling with sparsely placed textiles and avoid difficulties with annoying angles and awkward nooks and crannies.
Awkward kitchen layout errors you should avoid
Before you implement the ideas we’ve shared, it’s worth thinking about errors you can avoid from the outset. After all, it’s surprisingly easy to overlook structural design issues that could disrupt your kitchen workflow.
Foot traffic
Common mishaps include failing to consider foot traffic. It’s important to consider what space and layout you need to avoid unwanted congestion in the kitchen, after all, it’s one of the busiest areas of the house.
Appliances and accessories
Another thing to keep in mind is your planning for appliances and accessories. Make sure to select appliances that fit conveniently into the space and allow easy access.
Functionality versus trends
By prioritizing functionality over trends and keeping track of counter space and room dimension measurements, you can plan around the unusual layout of the room.
Now, get planning and increase your home’s value
Remember that the kitchen has the strongest impact on property value than any other room in the house. If you have plans to move in the future, optimizing your kitchen space with these awkward kitchen layout ideas could give you that positive boost you need.
