Common Kitchen Layouts

Like the one-wall and galley floor plans, a U-shaped layout is an efficient kitchen designed for one primary cook. Basically a wide galley kitchen with one end closed off, it keeps onlookers out of the main work area while remaining open to other rooms of the home and allowing traffic to pass.

  

        

To address the seating issue, you can try, as shown here, a pass-through to the dining room on one of the "legs" of the U. Another option is to turn that leg into a peninsula by eliminating the wall and the upper cabinets. The peninsula counter can then be used for eating, homework or paying bills. Of course, that method also eliminates a significant amount of storage space.