Shapes of Kitchens
Dennis Caruso • July 22, 2021
The Shape of Things to Come
When homeowners in North Huntingdon start to plan the kitchen of their dreams, one of the initial decisions that they need to make is the layout that makes the most sense for how they want their new dream kitchen to look, feel and function. Different kitchen layouts offer both advantages and shortcomings. What’s best for you?
U-shaped kitchens feature cabinets, countertops and appliances linking three walls with an open end. Because there are opportunities for cabinetry on three walls, most U-shaped kitchens offer ample storage space for most homeowners in the Pittsburgh area. U-shaped kitchens also provide lots of design and layout flexibility. Traditional U-shaped kitchens are closed; they do not connect to other rooms in the house unless you opt to modify the third wall to create an island-breakfast bar combination if space permits. U-shapes make it easy to designate distinct work areas for cooking, meal preparation and clean up, providing enough room for more than one family member to prepare meals or engage in other activities in the kitchen without running into one another.
Corners can be a challenge in U-shaped kitchens because they can be cumbersome to access or require special design elements such as magic corners, lazy susans or other organizing hardware. In smaller spaces, U-shapes can feel cramped. The smaller the space however, the higher the potential for a cramped feeling especially if appliances are close to one another. Additionally, in smaller U-shaped kitchens it may not be practical or even feasible to install an island.
L-shaped kitchens are another favored choice of homeowners the suburbs of Pittsburgh. As the name implies, L-shaped kitchens feature two walls with cabinetry that form an L. L-shaped kitchens provide homeowners in Pittsburgh options to create an open-floor plan and easily incorporate an island or peninsula. If you don’t want or need an island, L-shaped kitchens are ideal for families with multiple cooks or who like to entertain because they provide an open, airy space with lots of room to maneuver.
L-shaped kitchen also cater to the way a family cooks, who does the cooking and how often. Appliance placement is key to making L-shaped kitchens function effectively and to make it easier and more enjoyable to prepare meals. Because there is typically more floor and counter space in L-shaped kitchens than in other configurations, there is a higher likelihood of clutter and there is more space that needs to be cleaned and maintained.
The connecting corner can also be a challenge. A professional designer knows how to overcome that challenge with corner cabinets that can pull out or feature a lazy susan or other organizing tools to provide additional storage space.
Which shape is ideal for your dream kitchen? Give us a call at (724) 864-9820 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 10809 Route 30, North Huntingdon to create a kitchen that will be the envy of your neighborhood.
There’s a misconception among homeowners in South Western Pennsylvania. We find several homeowners don’t commit to a kitchen remodel because of their kitchen’s smaller footprint. Size does not matter. Lifestyle, enjoyment and family do. Regardless of the size of the kitchen, the most important factor in renovating or creating new space is to determine how the space will be used. That's why we ask our clients in South Western Pennsylvania how often they prepare meals, entertain and host family celebrations. We also want to know who uses the kitchen and what activities generally take place in the area. Additionally, we want to understand how homeowners in South Western Pennsylvania would expand their kitchen use if it were a more enjoyable and welcoming space. We know how to expand the look and feel of a smaller kitchen without actually increasing the size of the footprint. Here are several ideas to create the illusion of a larger space without compromising the look, feel or functionality. Thin Is In Most homeowners in South Western Pennsylvania may not realize that specifying smaller and thinner appliances creates additional countertop and cabinet space. A standard dishwasher is 24 inches wide, but many of our clients find an 18-inch model that serves their needs and helps provide the space for bigger cabinets elsewhere. The same logic can apply to refrigerators. Many homeowners believe they need the largest fridge that they can fit in a space. A thinner model may serve your purposes if you don't cook or go to the grocery store daily. We often recommend refrigerators that are 30 or 28 inches wide versus the more popular size of 36-inch+ models. Specifying panels that match your cabinetry is another trick to make a smaller kitchen appear larger because it creates a consistent flow throughout the space. Lifestyle choice also will influence the sink that we specify. Most clients come to the showroom with the desire for a double sink. Double bowls are great if you cook a lot. They may not be needed if you don’t. A double sink typically requires 36 inches of space. Single bowls require 24 inches. The extra space provides for an additional standard size cabinet. Along with slimming appliances, specifying slimmer cabinets can help open up a kitchen. Many manufacturers offer thinner versions of the standard 24-inch depth cabinet. Using 12- or 15-inch deep cabinetry creates more floor space and a more open feel. Make it Light and Bright White or lighter shades of cabinets will provide a more open feel to a smaller space. Lighting is equally important. Installing interior cabinet lights, undercabinet lighting and in-drawer lighting will make your kitchen look brighter and much larger. The same effect can be achieved by opting for glass door cabinets that can showcase your crystal, fine china or other items that have special meaning to you and your family. Mirrors help to make smaller rooms larger, and the kitchen is no exception. We will often recommend a mirrored backsplash or stainless steel if stainless steel is the preferred appliance finish. Mirrored surfaces provide a sense of depth to any room, making the space look and feel larger. Need additional suggestions on how to create a dream kitchen with a limited footprint? Call our showroom at 724-864-9820 to make an appointment to visit us at 10809 Route 30, North Huntingdon, PA 15642-5309.
