Kitchen Layout Principles: The Five Configurations That Work in London Homes

Kitchen layout is constrained by the room's geometry. In London's Victorian and Edwardian terraces, the available space — the original rear addition, a rear extension, or an open-plan ground floor — determines what configurations are possible. Understanding which layout suits which space, and what each requires technically, prevents the common mistake of specifying a layout that does not work in the available footprint.

This guide covers the five kitchen configurations and the specific requirements and trade-offs of each.

1. The single run (galley, one wall)

All units on one wall, typically 3–5m long. The most space-efficient configuration where the kitchen is within a narrow space or is one element of a larger open-plan room.

Works well in: A narrow kitchen-dining room where the opposite wall is used for dining or storage; a room where the kitchen is secondary to the living or dining function.

Requirements: Minimum 900mm clear floor space between the unit run and the opposite wall. For a single-run kitchen with a full range of appliances, the minimum practical unit length is around 3m (to accommodate fridge, base units, sink, and hob). For a long run of 4m+, adequate extraction above the hob (minimum 600mm wide extractor) is essential.

Trade-off: Limited counter space and storage versus simplicity and visual clarity. A single-run kitchen with a quality stone worktop, good lighting, and well-specified appliances can look exceptional despite its simplicity.

2. The galley (parallel runs)

Units on both facing walls, with a central corridor. The most efficient working layout in terms of the working triangle (the relationship between sink, hob, and fridge). Standard in professional kitchen design.

Works well in: A corridor-like kitchen space, typically 2–3m wide and 4–6m long. A separate kitchen (not open-plan) in a Victorian terrace where the original rear addition is narrow.

Requirements: Minimum 900mm between facing unit runs (1,100mm preferred). In a room less than 2.4m wide, a galley is not practical — the corridor is too tight for two people and the units are too shallow to be functional. Maximum practical length is approximately 6m before the corridor becomes inconveniently long.

Trade-off: Excellent functionality versus poor sociability — a galley kitchen cannot be the social centre of the house. Where the kitchen is designed as a working space separate from living and dining, this is not a disadvantage.

3. The L-shape

Units arranged along two adjacent walls meeting at a corner. The most common configuration in rear extensions and open-plan spaces in London.

Works well in: A square or nearly square room, typically 3m × 3m to 5m × 5m; one corner of a larger open-plan space where the kitchen needs to define a zone without enclosing it.

Requirements: The corner must be managed effectively — a corner cabinet with either a lazy Susan or a corner drawer system prevents the corner from becoming dead storage. The two runs should each be at least 2.5m long for a functional kitchen; runs shorter than this limit storage and counter space significantly.

Island consideration: An L-shape kitchen in a room of 4m × 4m or larger can accommodate an island in the open centre — creating effectively a U-shape or island-plus-L configuration. This is the most popular configuration for rear extension kitchens in London.

Trade-off: Excellent use of corner space versus the challenge of effectively utilising the corner cabinet. The L-shape with island is highly functional and sociable — the most common choice for London kitchen renovations.

4. The U-shape

Units on three walls, surrounding the cook on three sides. Maximum storage and counter space.

Works well in: Larger kitchens, typically 4m × 4m and above; a separate kitchen (not open-plan) where the working efficiency of the U-shape is prioritised.

Requirements: The open width of the U must be at least 1,200mm — the gap between the two facing runs. Below this, circulation within the U-shape becomes tight, particularly when dishwasher or oven doors are open. The three runs should ideally each be at least 2.4m long for the layout to feel proportionate.

Trade-off: Maximum functionality and storage versus a feeling of enclosure. A U-shape kitchen in an open-plan space creates a strong kitchen zone but can feel isolated from the dining/living area. Careful design of the opening into the U — perhaps one low-height run, or a run that terminates at an island breakfast bar — can address this.

5. The island configuration

An island within an open-plan space, with perimeter units. Not a distinct layout type but a modification of L, U, or single-run configurations. The island adds working surface, storage, and seating, and creates a social focal point.

Works well in: Open-plan rear extensions where the kitchen opens to the dining and living areas; any space where the kitchen is the social centre of the house.

Requirements: 1,100mm minimum clearance around all sides of the island (1,200mm for comfort; 1,000mm is the absolute minimum in a single-direction traffic route). The island typically occupies 900–1,100mm of width and 1,500–2,400mm of length. A room that is less than 4m wide cannot practically accommodate an island with adequate circulation.

The false economy: An island that is too large for the room — a common mistake — blocks circulation, makes the kitchen feel cramped, and reduces rather than enhances usability. The island size must be determined by the room's dimensions, not by a desire to maximise the island.

Practical sequencing

The kitchen layout must be finalised before:

• —First-fix plumbing (sink and dishwasher waste and supply positions)
• —First-fix electrical (socket positions, appliance supply circuits, extractor motor position)
• —UFH screed (drainage falls must work with the final sink position)

Kitchen units are typically installed after plastering, electrical second fix, and tiling — before decoration of the kitchen ceiling and walls is complete, since decoration must make good around the units. The kitchen worktop is templated after units are installed (typically 7–10 days lead time from template to delivery for stone worktops).

ASAAN manages kitchen layouts as part of whole-house renovation programmes, coordinating the design with structural, mechanical, and electrical first-fix requirements to ensure the layout works in the available space before anything is built.