Kitchen Layout Ideas for UK Homes: Galley, L-Shape, Open Plan
Choosing a kitchen layout is often the difference between a room that merely looks updated and one that genuinely works day to day. From narrow Victorian terraces to modern new-builds, UK homes bring specific constraints around width, light, and plumbing routes. This guide explains how galley, L-shape, and open-plan layouts compare, and what to consider before committing to a redesign.
In many UK homes, the “right” kitchen layout is less about trends and more about how you move, cook, store, and socialise in the space. Galley, L-shape, and open-plan kitchens can all work well, but each responds differently to typical UK room proportions, existing services, and structural walls. Understanding those trade-offs early helps you avoid costly changes later.
Kitchen renovation UK: picking galley, L-shape, open plan
A practical kitchen renovation UK usually starts with three checks: the room’s clear width (especially between opposing units), where plumbing and drainage currently sit, and how you want to manage foot traffic. In terrace houses and flats, relocating services can be possible but may add cost and complexity, so it’s often smarter to let the layout work with what’s already there. Also consider where natural light falls: window positions can influence whether tall units feel oppressive or whether an island would block brightness.
A galley kitchen is a strong match for long, narrow rooms—common in older properties—because it turns limited width into efficient prep and storage. Two parallel runs (or one run plus a tall run) can create a compact “work corridor” where sink, hob, and fridge sit a few steps apart. The main risk is crowding: if the aisle is tight, two people can’t pass comfortably, and appliance doors can clash. Galley designs tend to benefit from integrated storage (pull-out larders, corner solutions) and careful lighting so the space doesn’t feel tunnel-like.
An L-shape layout suits small-to-medium rooms where you want good worktop length without closing the space in. It naturally keeps one side open for a dining table, a doorway, or a more generous circulation route—helpful in family homes where the kitchen is a pass-through. The key design decision is what to do with the corner: without the right storage, corners become dead space. An L-shape can also support a small peninsula (a breakfast bar attached to one leg) when an island would be too big for the room.
Kitchen fitters near me: details that shape usability
Open-plan kitchens are popular where a rear extension has created a kitchen–diner or kitchen–living zone. The layout goal shifts from pure efficiency to zoning: cooking, cleaning, and social areas should be distinct without feeling separated. In UK homes, this often means a run of tall units on one wall (for fridge/freezer and ovens), a sink run near existing drainage, and either an island or peninsula to form a boundary with the dining area. Ventilation matters more here, because cooking smells and moisture travel further—so extractor performance and ducting routes deserve early attention.
When people search for “kitchen fitters near me”, they’re usually trying to reduce risk: a layout can look perfect on paper but fail if clearances, levels, and services aren’t handled well. A competent installer (or a coordinated team) will check door swings, appliance ventilation gaps, floor level changes, and whether walls are plumb—issues that directly affect how tight a galley can be, how tidy an L-shape corner looks, or whether an open-plan island ends up misaligned. In many cases, the fitter will also advise on practical compliance points, such as suitable kitchen electrics under Part P rules and safe separation distances around hobs.
Real-world cost/pricing insights can vary widely by supplier tier, room size, and the amount of building work required (for example, removing a wall for open plan). As a broad UK benchmark, supply-only kitchens for a typical small-to-mid-sized room may range from a few thousand pounds for entry-level lines to five figures for premium cabinetry, before installation and trades. Installation commonly includes fitting units and worktops, but costs change significantly if you add rewiring, plastering, flooring, moving plumbing, or new gas appliances.
| Product/Service | Provider | Cost Estimation |
|---|---|---|
| Supply-only kitchen (entry to mid-range) | IKEA | Often £2,000–£6,000 for a typical kitchen, excluding installation and appliances |
| Supply-only kitchen (DIY retail ranges) | B&Q | Often £2,500–£8,000 depending on range and size |
| Supply-only kitchen (mid-range) | Magnet | Often £3,000–£10,000 depending on style, units, and finishes |
| Supply-only kitchen (mid to higher ranges) | Wren Kitchens | Often £3,000–£12,000+ depending on specification |
| Supply-only kitchen (trade supply) | Howdens | Pricing varies by account, design, and specification; commonly quoted via a trade professional |
| Fitting/installation labour (typical) | Independent local installer | Often £2,000–£5,000+ for fitting; more if significant building/plumbing/electrical work is needed |
Prices, rates, or cost estimates mentioned in this article are based on the latest available information but may change over time. Independent research is advised before making financial decisions.
A useful way to control costs during new kitchen installation planning is to separate “must-move” from “nice-to-move” items. Keeping the sink near existing waste pipes can reduce plumbing work, and keeping the hob on an external wall can simplify extractor ducting. If you want open plan, confirm early whether a wall is load-bearing and whether you’ll need a structural engineer and steel beam; that single decision can shift both budget and timeline.
New kitchen installation: planning, regulations, and finish
A smooth new kitchen installation usually follows a predictable order: survey and measurement, layout/design sign-off, first-fix electrics and plumbing (and any building work), plastering and making good, then fitting units, templating and fitting worktops, and finally second-fix electrics, appliances, and finishing touches. Galley kitchens often install faster because they’re compact, but they demand precise alignment so long runs look straight. L-shapes need careful corner setting-out. Open-plan spaces can take longer because multiple trades overlap and finishes are more visible from adjoining rooms.
UK-specific compliance and safety checks are worth building into your plan. Any gas work should be handled by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and electrical work in kitchens may require a qualified professional under Building Regulations (Part P), depending on what’s being changed. For open-plan designs, think about noise (dishwashers and extractor fans are more noticeable) and lighting layers: task lighting for prep, ambient lighting for the room, and accent lighting to soften tall units. Finally, choose finishes that suit how you live—matte doors can show fewer fingerprints, while robust worktops reduce worry in busy households.
A well-chosen layout aligns with your home’s proportions and your routines: galley kitchens excel for efficiency in narrow rooms, L-shapes balance workspace and openness, and open plan supports shared living when ventilation and zoning are planned properly. By checking clearances, services, and the true scope of building work early, you can make layout decisions that stay comfortable long after the renovation is finished.
