Finishes get the attention, but the layout decides whether a kitchen works. A beautiful kitchen with the fridge in the wrong place or a 30-inch aisle will frustrate you every day. Kitchen and Bath Experts starts every kitchen design in Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield with the layout, because it is also the part that is hardest and most expensive to change later. Here are the five basic layouts, where each one works, and the rules we use to make them function.
The rules behind every good layout
Work zones. The old "work triangle" between sink, range and refrigerator still holds up. A common guideline is that the three legs together total roughly 13 to 26 feet, with no single leg shorter than about 4 feet or longer than about 9. Today we also plan zones: a prep zone near the sink, a cooking zone at the range, a cleanup zone with the dishwasher and trash, and a drink or snack zone at the edge of the kitchen so family members are not walking through the cook's path.
Aisles. Plan at least 42 inches between counters for one cook and 48 inches where two people cook together. See our kitchen island guide for island clearances.
Landing space. Leave counter space beside every appliance: about 15 inches next to the refrigerator handle side, 24 inches on one side of the sink and 18 on the other, and at least 12 to 15 inches on both sides of the cooktop. Missing landing space is the most common flaw in older kitchens.
1. Galley kitchen
Two parallel runs of cabinets with an aisle between them. Common in Fan and Museum District rowhouses, Church Hill homes and many condos.
- Works well: efficient for one cook, everything within a step or two.
- Watch out for: an aisle narrower than 42 inches, and through-traffic if both ends are open.
- Remodel ideas: run upper cabinets or open shelves to the ceiling, use deep drawers instead of base doors, and consider whether removing one wall turns it into an L-shape with a peninsula. See our guide to removing a wall for an open-concept kitchen.
2. L-shaped kitchen
Cabinets on two adjoining walls. The most common layout in Richmond-area colonials and ranches built from the 1970s on.
- Works well: open to a dining or family area, easy to add an island, keeps traffic out of the work area.
- Watch out for: the corner. A blind corner cabinet wastes space unless it has a pull-out or a lazy Susan.
- Remodel ideas: put the sink and range on different legs, add an island for prep and seating, and use the corner for a pantry cabinet or a coffee station.
3. U-shaped kitchen
Cabinets on three walls. Great storage and counter space in a closed kitchen.
- Works well: the most counter space for the footprint and a clear work area.
- Watch out for: two corners to solve and a closed-in feel. A U smaller than about 10 feet wide feels cramped.
- Remodel ideas: open one leg into a peninsula with seating so the kitchen connects to the next room.
4. Peninsula (G-shaped) kitchen
An L or U with a counter that extends from one wall into the room.
- Works well: gives island-style seating and prep in a room too narrow for an island.
- Watch out for: the peninsula blocking the main path in or out of the kitchen.
- Remodel ideas: a common solution in Henrico and Chesterfield split-levels where an island would not leave proper aisles.
5. Island kitchen
An L, U or single wall with a freestanding island. The most requested layout in our Richmond projects.
- Works well: adds prep space, storage and seating, and makes the kitchen the center of the house.
- Watch out for: clearance. A kitchen generally needs to be about 12 feet wide or more to fit an island with proper aisles on both sides.
- Remodel ideas: see our full kitchen island ideas guide.
When to move things, and when not to
Moving the sink means new drain and vent lines; moving a gas range means a new gas line; moving the refrigerator usually means only an outlet and a water line. In older Richmond homes, the condition of the floor framing and existing plumbing often decides what is practical. We look at this before drawing anything, and it is one of the biggest factors in the price. See our kitchen remodel cost guide for how layout changes affect the budget.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most efficient kitchen layout? For one cook, a galley or a compact L. For families who cook together, an L or U with an island, so two people have their own work zones.
Is the work triangle outdated? The idea of keeping the sink, range and fridge close but not cramped still applies. Zones simply add room for a second cook, a coffee bar and kids getting snacks.
Can I change my layout without moving plumbing? Often, yes. Keeping the sink in place and rearranging everything else is a common way to improve a layout and control cost.
See what your kitchen could be
We will measure your kitchen, walk you through two or three layout options and give you one fixed price. Schedule a free in-home consultation or browse finished Richmond kitchens in our gallery.