Kitchen Layout Calculator
Get basic layout suggestions for your kitchen based on dimensions and layout type. This calculator provides recommendations for cabinet placement, work triangle, and optimal spacing.
Kitchen Layout Recommendations
How the Kitchen Layout Calculator Works
The calculator evaluates your kitchen against two classic ergonomic standards. First, minimum dimensions: each layout type needs a certain footprint to function — a galley needs 2.4 × 1.5 m, an L-shape 2.4 × 2.4 m, and an island kitchen at least 3 × 3 m to leave working clearance around the island.
Work triangle = sink → stove → refrigerator walking path, ideally 4–7.5 m total
Second, the work triangle — the combined walking distance between the three points you constantly move between while cooking. Below 4 meters the triangle is cramped and two people can't work at once; above 7.5 meters you spend your cooking time commuting. The calculator estimates the triangle from your dimensions and layout geometry, plus the usable cabinet run — the total counter length the layout can deliver, which is what actually determines how much workspace and storage the kitchen offers.
How to Choose the Right Kitchen Layout
Measure wall to wall at counter height (90 cm), and note everything fixed: window positions, door swings, and where water, gas, and extraction already live — moving a sink across the room can cost more than the cabinets. Standard base cabinets are 60 cm deep, so subtract that from each run of wall to see your remaining floor.
Layout selection in one paragraph: one-wall suits studios and kitchens under 2 m wide; galley is the most space-efficient serious cooking layout, needing just 1.2 m between the two runs; L-shape fits most homes and keeps the triangle naturally compact; U-shape maximizes counter but needs at least 2.4 m of width to avoid feeling like a trench; and an island demands a genuinely large room — 1 m of clearance on every working side of the island is the non-negotiable minimum.
Whatever the layout, plan the landing zones: 40 cm of counter beside the stove, 60 cm beside the sink, and somewhere to put down what comes out of the fridge. Task lighting matters more in kitchens than anywhere else in the house — plan it with our lighting calculator, and check tiling quantities for the splashback with the tile calculator.
Minimum Dimensions by Kitchen Layout
| Layout | Minimum size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| One-wall | 2.4 × 1.2 m | Studios, open-plan corners |
| Galley | 2.4 × 1.5 m | Efficient cooking in narrow rooms |
| L-shape | 2.4 × 2.4 m | Most homes; flexible and social |
| U-shape | 2.4 × 2.4 m | Maximum counter and storage |
| Island | 3.0 × 3.0 m | Large, social kitchens |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forcing an island into a room under 3 × 3 m — walkways shrink below the 1 m minimum.
- Placing the fridge outside the triangle so every ingredient trip crosses the kitchen.
- Ignoring door and appliance swings; an open dishwasher can block the whole galley.
- Skipping landing counters next to the stove and fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the kitchen work triangle rule?
The combined walking distance between sink, stove, and refrigerator should total 4–7.5 meters, with no single leg shorter than 1.2 m or longer than 2.7 m. It keeps the three most-used stations close without crowding them. The rule dates from 1940s ergonomics research and still holds up remarkably well.
Which kitchen layout is best for a small kitchen?
Galley for pure efficiency — two parallel runs with 1.2–1.5 m between them puts everything within a step. One-wall works below that width. L-shape is the better choice when the kitchen shares space with dining, since it leaves a corner open for the table.
How much space do you need for a kitchen island?
The room should be at least 3 × 3 m. The island itself needs a minimum footprint of about 120 × 60 cm to be useful, and — the part people underestimate — 100 cm of clearance on every side people work or pass. Less than that and drawers, dishwashers, and humans collide.
How much counter space does a kitchen need?
Aim for a total cabinet run of at least 3 meters in any kitchen you cook in daily, with 40 cm of landing space beside the stove and 60 cm beside the sink. The calculator's cabinet-run estimate tells you what your layout can physically deliver before you commit.