Kitchen layout ideas you don't want to miss

Unless you're planning on extending your kitchen or radically reworking the space for the perfect layout, you're often stuck with units and appliances in certain positions. From small galleys to open-plan family spaces, L-shaped, U-shaped and island designs, we've got some ideas to make it work for you.

Open plan
This is a fab style if you have updated your space by knocking down walls and creates a sociable room where everyone can relax together. Just remember if you're untidy when you cook, your guests will have full view of the kitchen and invest in a quality extractor fan so cooking smells don't fill the room. Use lighting, flooring and decorative touches to define the different spaces.

U-shapedSuitable for oblong rooms with one door at the end, this layout has units fitted along three sides, great for when you want the kitchen apart from the rest of the space. It can make the kitchen feel quite confined so avoid having wall units on all three sides and position the sink, cooker and fridge on three sides of the U for a balanced working triangle.

IslandCreate a sociable kitchen where guests can sit at the island and chat, while you cook. It's great for creating a divide between the cooking and living areas but while practical, it won't provide as much prep and storage space as a run of wall units would. So, choose an island that has clever storage underneath.

L-shapedRuns of units fitted around the corner of two adjacent walls, leaves space for a small bistro-style table and chairs. For the side without any units, brighten up the wall with a funky wallpaper or wall art.

GalleyWith units facing each other along the two longest walls a galley-style is good for busy cooks who like everything close to hand. Just make sure you have plenty of space between the facing units to move around and open cupboards easily. If space allows, don't take the units all the way along the wall, leave space at the end for a table and chairs.