If you’re in the process of home renovation, designing a kitchen layout should be one of your top priorities. You can’t just arrange kitchen cabinets and appliances like LEGO blocks. You have to make sure everything has a purpose because a good design seamlessly combines style, space, and daily functionality.
The first step when you design a kitchen layout is to truly understand the purpose of your kitchen. Sure, the kitchen is meant for cooking, but for how many people? And how often? Is it also the main gathering place for your family, or do you have a separate room for that?
Take a few minutes to reflect on how you currently use your kitchen and what’s missing from your existing layout. When you’re ready, continue reading — we’ll guide you step-by-step on how to design a kitchen layout that’s perfectly tailored to your needs.
How to Accurately Measure Your Kitchen Space
Without accurate measurements, there’s no way to properly design a kitchen layout. Here’s exactly what you need to measure:
- Walls: Measure the length and height of each wall, including any pillars or irregularities.
- Doors and Windows: Note the precise dimensions of doors and windows, including their placement and the direction in which they open. Also, measure the distance from the floor to the bottom edge of the window — crucial when planning countertop heights.
- Appliances: If you already have kitchen appliances (like a refrigerator, stove, or dishwasher), measure their dimensions and leave enough clearance for door openings and ventilation.
Is a regular tape measure enough? Yes, absolutely. If you want even more precision, you can use a laser measurer – though for DIY purposes, it’s often an unnecessary expense.
Once you have all your measurements ready, sketch a simple floor plan of your kitchen on a piece of paper.
Or, even better – you can skip the pen and paper entirely. There’s a much easier, more accurate, and modern way to design a kitchen layout – and best of all, it’s completely free!
In MSMV Design Software, you can immediately input the real dimensions of your walls. Then, add kitchen elements like base cabinets, wall cabinets, sinks, stoves, and refrigerators. Drag and place the elements exactly according to your measurements and your planned design. With just one click, you can view your layout in a realistic 3D model.
The 5 Most Popular Kitchen Layouts
If you followed our earlier advice and took a few minutes to reflect on your cooking needs, chances are they’ll fit into one of the five most popular kitchen layouts for 2025.
Galley Kitchen
A galley (single-wall) kitchen layout places all elements along one line or across two parallel lines. This design maximizes the use of available space and ensures a simple and efficient workflow.
Advantages:
- Highly efficient, with everything close at hand
- Perfect for smaller spaces and apartments
- Enough work surface even in limited areas
Disadvantages:
- Can feel cramped if the walkway is too narrow
- Limited space for multiple people cooking together
L-Shaped Kitchen
The L-shaped layout uses two walls that form a right angle, creating an open and flexible cooking area. It adapts easily to various room sizes and styles.
Advantages:
- Ideal for open-plan living (blending kitchen and living/dining areas)
- Provides ample counter space and easy movement
- Can easily be expanded with an island if space allows
Disadvantages:
- If the work points are too far apart, workflow can become inefficient
U-Shaped Kitchen
A U-shaped kitchen occupies three walls, surrounding you with everything you need. It’s often the top choice for professional chefs or anyone who loves to cook!
Advantages:
- Excellent functionality with abundant counter space
- Ideal for families or those who cook frequently
Disadvantages:
- Requires a larger space; not ideal for very small kitchens
- Can feel enclosed if not well-lit
Kitchen with an Island
A kitchen with an island features a central unit (island or bar) that serves as an additional work surface or a casual gathering spot. Often, the island becomes the heart of the kitchen, making a strong design statement.
Advantages:
- Boosts both functionality and aesthetics
- Doubles as a space for breakfast, homework, or socializing
Disadvantages:
- Requires enough clearance around the island (at least 90 cm)
- Can obstruct movement if the kitchen is too small
Kitchen with a Peninsula
A peninsula is like an extended countertop attached to a wall or cabinet, open on three sides. It offers extra work surface and seating without needing the space for a full island.
Advantages:
- A great alternative for smaller spaces where a freestanding island won’t fit
- Adds work and dining space
Disadvantages:
- It may restrict movement if not properly planned
- Less flexibility compared to a standalone island
The Kitchen Work Triangle – Hard Rule or Not?
Have you heard of the kitchen work triangle concept? It defines the ideal relationship between three key work zones: the sink, the stove, and the refrigerator.
Imagine drawing lines connecting these three points, ideally, they should form a triangle. The idea is to keep the points close enough for efficiency but with enough space for comfortable movement.
The kitchen triangle isn’t a strict rule when you design a kitchen layout, but it’s highly recommended. And no, it’s not just a trendy made-up idea; it’s a design principle that’s been used successfully since the 1940s. Here are our best tips for a functional kitchen triangle:
- Each side should be between 120 cm and 270 cm.
- The total perimeter of the triangle should be between 4 and 7.9 meters.
- Avoid obstacles (like large islands or tall cabinets) blocking the direct paths.
Plan Traffic Flow and Balance Form with Function
When you design a kitchen layout, it’s critical to think about how people will move through the space.
Leave at least 90 cm between countertops, cabinets, and islands. If more than one person will be using the kitchen at once, allow even more space for easy circulation.
A good kitchen layout doesn’t just focus on functionality – it blends beauty and practicality. Choose materials that are durable and stylish, like quartz countertops that resist scratches and stains.
If you’re planning to save money, do it on cheap and easily replaceable elements like hardware and small accessories. Invest more in things that matter long-term, like quality countertops, appliances, and cabinets.
Always plan your lighting early in the renovation process. Lighting can make or break your kitchen.
Natural light is always the best option, so if you can, incorporate windows near or in the kitchen. But if natural light is limited, a combination of task, ambient, and accent lighting can create a bright, welcoming space.
- Task lighting (like LED strips) should be placed over work areas like sinks and stoves.
- Ambient lighting ensures that the entire kitchen is evenly illuminated.
- Accent lighting highlights special areas like glass cabinets or open shelving.
Move beyond relying on just one ceiling bulb because well-planned lighting adds both functionality and atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
Careful planning and understanding how you live and work in your space are essential when you design a kitchen layout successfully. It always starts with precise measurements and ensuring the kitchen is functional. Free tools like MSMV Design Software make the process much easier and more fun.
And remember; there’s no universal “perfect” kitchen – the best kitchen layout is the one that fits your lifestyle, habits, and personal style.
