L-shaped kitchen designs are super popular for a reason. The layout makes a nice “L” with two counters sticking out—kind of like your arms. It works great for small and medium spaces and lets you fit more in without feeling cramped.
This article will give you some sweet L-kitchen ideas for style and making the space usable.
Why Choose an L-shaped Kitchen?
Let’s look at the key reasons it’s a smart choice.
1. Makes the Most of Space
With counters and cabinets running along two walls, an L-shaped kitchen utilises every inch efficiently.
Small kitchens feel more open, while bigger kitchens still have room for an island or dining area. It’s a win-win.
2. Efficient Workflow
The work triangle between the sink, stove, and fridge means less walking in circles. You can go from washing veggies to sautéing them in just a few steps.
3. Flexible Design Options
L-shaped kitchens are also super flexible. You can trick them out with different cabinets, islands, pantries, and many choices to make it your own. This layout works in various room shapes and styles – tucked in a corner or as the star of an open floor plan.
4. Fits Open Floor Plans
It keeps the kitchen organized but is still part of the action in wide-open living spaces. You don’t feel isolated cooking.
5. Storage Galore
Storage is optimized, too, thanks to the corner where the two sides meet. Spinning “lazy Susan” shelves and corner drawers use every inch. Or hide appliances you don’t use daily, like blenders and toasters.
6. At Home in Any Style
The L-shape can pull off whether you dig a modern, rustic or traditional vibe. Sleek stainless steel for a modern look. Wood and stone for rustic charm. Rich cabinets and granite for classic style.
7. Spread Out
You also get tons of counter space for baking projects or when multiple cooks are in the kitchen. And if the open side faces a window, you get awesome natural light washing over your workspace.
8. Bright by Design
Situate the open end near windows and fill the kitchen with natural light. Light cabinets also help reflect more sun.
L-Shaped Kitchen Ideas
Let’s talk about some ideas for L-shaped kitchens.
1. Make the Most of a Small Kitchen
If your kitchen is tiny, an L-shape rocks. You can fit everything in without it feeling crowded. Try slim cabinets, little appliances, and light paint colors to give it an airy vibe.
Pro tip: Stash stuff in upper cabinets that reach the ceiling.
Color ideas: White or soft pastels make a small space feel more spacious and welcoming.
Store more: Use pull-out shelves in lower cabinets to easily grab what’s in the back.
2. Add an Island for Extra Counter Space
One awesome thing about an L-kitchen is that you can add an island. It gives you more counter space and added storage and seating.
Use it: Make the island a breakfast bar or casual dining spot.
Stash stuff: Install cabinets or shelves below to store kitchen gear, pots and pans.
Fancy it up: Get durable countertops like granite, quartz or butcher block.
3. Open Shelving for a Modern Vibe
Ditch the cabinets and try open shelves for a slick, modern look. Show off pretty dishes, cool glasses and even small plants.
Keep it simple: Avoid clutter to get a clean, minimal style.
Pop of color: Paint the back wall a fun color for extra zing.
Everyday items: Use lower shelves for stuff you grab, like dishes and glasses.
4. Use That Corner Space
One pain of an L-kitchen is dealing with wasted corner space. But you’ve got options to make it practical storage.
Spin it: A Lazy Susan makes corner cabinets easy to reach.
Drawer power: Special corner drawers pull out so you can access stuff.
Hideaway: Store blenders and toasters in a corner “garage” behind cabinet doors.
5. Two-tone cabinets for Major Style
Want your L-kitchen to stand out? Try two-tone cabinets with different colors or materials up top and down below. It looks fab.
Light on top: For an airy feel, keep upper cabinets pale, like white or beige.
Dramatic lowers: Use bold navy, charcoal or forest green on bottom cabinets.
Tie it together: Pair with neutral countertops to keep it looking pulled together.
6. Add a Cozy Breakfast Nook
If you have the space, tuck in a comfy breakfast nook. It’s a sweet spot where the family can gather for easy meals.
Built-in seating: Maximize space with a built-in bench or banquette with storage below.
Compact table: Choose a small round or square table that slots neatly into the corner.
Make it homey: Toss on some cushions and pillows in colors that match your kitchen.
7. Lighting Ideas to Brighten It Up
Good lighting is key in any kitchen. For an L-shape, use a mix of task and ambient lights.
Hanging lights: Install pendant lights over the island or nook to focus light.
Under cabinet lights: This brightens up countertops for easier cooking.
Natural light: If possible, put your L-kitchen near windows.
8. L-shaped kitchen with a Peninsula
If you want an island but space is tight, add a peninsula instead—same perks without hogging as much room.
Breakfast bar: Pull up some stools on one side for casual meals.
Extra storage: Stack cabinets below to stash more stuff.
Zone it out: A peninsula can divide an open floor plan.
9. Creating a Rustic Look with Wood
Use wood to warm your L-kitchen. Butcher block counters, wood cabinets, and wood floors bring nature inside.
Butcher block counters: Super durable and rustic-chic.
Wooden cabinets: Natural wood finishes have a traditional, comfy look.
More wood accents: Add shelves or beams to complete the look.
10. Industrial-Style L-Shaped Kitchen
If you like a modern, edgy vibe, go industrial. Expose metal, concrete and brick for an urban loft kitchen feel.
Metallic fixtures: Try stainless steel or black metal handles, lights and bar stools.
Concrete counters: Sleek and incredibly durable.
Exposed brick: Leave walls rough for an ultra-urban look.
11. Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen
An L-kitchen easily goes farmhouse-cute with the right details. Think vintage farm charm.
Shaker cabinets: Simple and classic, perfect here.
Farmhouse sink: A big, deep one looks old-fashioned.
Vintage lights: Sconces or pendant lights enhance the vibe.
Disadvantages of an L-shaped Kitchen
Before deciding on an L-shaped layout, here are a few potential issues to consider.
1. Not enough counter and cabinet space in big kitchens
The L-shaped rocks are used in small kitchens because they use the room well. However, it only uses two walls, so you might not get enough countertop or cabinet space in huge kitchens for all your cooking and storage needs.
Solution: Add an island or peninsula to get that extra surface area.
Trade-off: Large L-shaped kitchens can feel empty compared to U-shaped ones without the option to use a third wall.
2. Corner storage can be tricky
Lazy Susans and corner drawers help, but let’s be real – stashing stuff in the tight corner where the two L sides meet can still be a pain.
Limited access: Even with smart storage tools, whatever lands in the corner is harder to grab. You might have to get fancy specialized systems to make it work.
Costly cabinets: Because of the funky shape, corner cabinets cost more than regular ones.
3. Not great if you’ve got a big family
If multiple people are always cooking together, the L-shape can make everyone feel jammed up, especially in that tight corner. Doesn’t allow for as many separate workstations as islands or U-shaped kitchens.
Traffic jams: Easy to bump into each other with limited entry points.
Small work zones: The work triangle rocks for one cook, but with more people, limited counter space makes it tough to share.
4. No division between rooms
In an open floor plan, the L-shaped kitchen can feel too exposed to the rest of the home without a clear barrier between rooms. It makes it harder to hide the cooking mess!
Too visually blended: It can be tricky telling where the kitchen zone ends and the living/dining zone starts.
Noisy! Dishes and cooking sounds easily carry to other rooms, which can be annoying if you’re trying to watch TV or chat with someone.
5. Limited seating
The L-shape uses room well for cooking but may leave space for only a few seats, especially in small kitchens. It is hard to squeeze in a dining table or breakfast nook.
Solution: Add an island with bar stools or a cozy breakfast nook in bigger L-shaped kitchens.
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6. Not ideal for oddly shaped rooms
The L-shaped kitchen works best in square or rectangular spaces. Fitting it into a weirdly angled kitchen can waste space and look awkward or uneven.
Weird layouts: The L-shape may leave random dead zones or unusable areas in odd-shaped rooms.
Custom work needed: You may need expensive custom cabinets or designs to make it right.
7. Could have limited natural light
Depending on placement, L-shape kitchens sometimes end up with limited sunlight, especially if both arms face interior walls. It can make an already small kitchen feel darker/closed in.
Lighting help is needed: You’ll have to depend more on pendant lights, under-cabinet lights, etc., to brighten things up.
Window placement key: Ideally, the sink or main work area catches some sun under a window – but that is only sometimes possible.
The L-shaped kitchen has many advantages, such as efficient space use and flexibility. However, it also has some potential disadvantages, such as limited room for multiple cooks or challenges fitting into odd spaces.
L-shaped kitchens let you get creative. Whether your space is tiny or you’ve got a huge kitchen, L-shaped can work. You can add islands or peninsulas to make prepping meals easier. Mix modern and rustic decor to make it stylish. These L-kitchen tips will help you whip up a good-looking space that flows nicely when you’re cooking up a storm. Your new L-shaped kitchen will be the hot spot for hanging out while also being super functional.