I’d like to show you the six types of kitchens and the kitchens that have tickled my fancy over the years, namely:
Galley Kitchen
Below is an image of my old kitchen in Chorlton. The house was a mid-terrace, and the kitchen was in the outrigger, so we had a fixed width to work with. Galley kitchens are really efficient because you can easily have a work triangle- have your sink, hob and fridge within a 6-metre perimeter; any more than this makes the kitchen hard to use.
This kitchen consisted of 5 units on each side, with a tall unit on both sides that’s out of shot. This kitchen carried on going into a dining area and ended with French Doors at the back of the house.
Check out our Stockport client converted their Galley Kitchen into a more open plan kitchen style
L- shape Kitchen
This picture shows units on two sides of an ‘L,’ with a table in the middle. This works well if you are short on space, so it is usually used for a studio flat or a student house. However, you will find that people sitting at the table will get in the way of people using the kitchen, so it isn’t the most practical.
Meet Amie and Dave in Chorlton who created a fabulous L shaped kitchen with Pride Road
U-Shape Kitchen
Having a U-shaped kitchen is an old-fashioned way of doing things as your kitchen is usually in a separate room, so it can feel quite enclosed. It is quite efficient, however, as it easily provides your work triangle. The corner units, while good for work surfaces, aren’t good for appliances.
Island Kitchen
I’ve got many examples of Island kitchens as they are what clients aspire towards, but you do need loads of space for an Island kitchen. The ones that work well have an L-shaped kitchen and then a fixed Island unit, and you can have a bank of tall units on one side. And so, the Island and the work top opposite work like a galley kitchen, so you have your 6-metre work triangle.
It’s really useful to have the sink on the island unit so you can wash up and talk to people, and you should have your dishwasher next to your sink so you can put things away easily. Some people like to have a hob on the island unit, but you’ve got to think about how you’re going to get the extract out.
Patrick and Joanna looked at creating an island kitchen in their 1930s semi detached house
Peninsula Kitchen
Peninsula is a useful kitchen shape for a slightly smaller space. It is like an island, but it has one run attached to the wall, and so it can feel like an island that’s a bit more compact. You do end up with two corner units, which gives you a bit more workspace.
Single run kitchen
This type is one long line of units, with a table in front of it. Again, it’s useful when you are short on space and when you don’t need a lot of kitchen units. It will be an option for studio flats, one-bedroom houses, or student flats.
Other great kitchen examples
A little trick
In my first house I put a little stain glass slot window under the wall units, which as at eye level so I could see it while I was washing up. It was useful as it was on a side return where I’d normally just be looking over at a neighbour.
The Elk Kitchen
I saw this in Grand Designs, and it shows you can spend about £80,000/£90,000 on a kitchen if you want a handmade one, and this elk kitchen is one of the more beautiful ones out there.
Kitchen Shop
These are from a kitchen shop in Hampton Bridge. I like this because I love plywood and it’s got a very mid-century feel. Plykeia.com also does plywood doors that go well with Ikea units.
Breakfast Bar
Finally, I want to show you this amazing breakfast cupboard, that my daughter is demonstrating. It is a double, full height unit containing a breakfast pantry, a fridge, kettle, toaster, hot water tap, and a fizzy water tap.
Closing thoughts
At Pride Road we can help plan your kitchen in our concept design workshop, and we’ll show you where to put your hob, fridge and sink to ensure you get the best work triangle, and so you don’t make any daft mistakes like putting an island too far away, or obstructing your walk to the fridge.
