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San Diego real estate library
San Diego Homes: Basic Kitchen Plans
The efficient u-shape plan is versatile and usually puts one's
workstation on each of three walls. The pros of this are great
storage and counter space on three sides that maximize
efficiency but this is not the best plans for entertaining or
for accommodating multiple cooks. Major traffic jams in the
kitchen! Another thing to consider is you have to have the basic
8x8 foot space and anything less won't provide the minimum 4
feet work space that is recommended for the center of the room.
In a large kitchen for maximum efficiency, locate one
workstation in a freestanding island.
The L-shape plan allows two workstations on one wall and the
third on an adjacent wall. This layout is much more efficient
concerning space than the U-shape plan especially if the main
workstations are located close to the bend of the L. The
L-shaped plan is not well suited for small kitchen spaces and
you need to allow enough open counter space between the two
workstations that share the same wall. This is at least four
feet. Other things to consider is the arrangement of the
workstations which are critical. The work needs to flow from the
refrigerator to the sink and then to the stove cooktop and
serving area. An ideal eating nook is the area opposite the bend
of the L.
The island plan is a popular design because it features a
floating workstation usually including the sink or stovetop.
This is a wonderful plan for large kitchens where the work
triangle exceeds the twenty-six foot rule that dictates that for
maximum efficiency. Island plans are not well suited in kitchens
where two work stations must be on opposite walls. The island is
a convenient location for specialty countertops such as butcher
block for chopping veggies or marble for rolling out those
delectable desserts. Another idea is a rolling island which can
roll outside to your patio or deck when entertaining guest. When
one end of the island is anchored to a wall or line of cabinets,
this is called a peninsula plan. The peninsula kitchen packs all
the versatility of island but does not require as much space.
Like islands, the peninsula plan gives the cook a workstation
and a view into another room rather than just toward a wall.
After meal preparation, a peninsula can double as a serving
buffet or bar.
The one wall plan is normally found in smaller homes, vacation
homes and apartments. This floor plan is definitely the most
space saving but is least efficient for the cook. Normally there
is a door at each end which translates into lots of through
traffic. This can create quite a few problems as well as
frustration for the cook. One wall kitchens work better when the
sink is in the center beside the refrigerator and the stovetop.
If you have the space, allow four feet of counter space on each
side of the sink.
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