U-Shaped Kitchens

One downside of a three-sided kitchen is that it has at least two corners, which can mean wasted space if its not put to use effectively. At the planning stage, consider how you can sidestep this problem with clever storage solutions, such as a carousel or a corner larder.

The enclosed nature of a U-shaped kitchen can make adding a dining area challenging – but not impossible. The easiest way to add a dining space is with a breakfast bar or kitchen island, but if you still have your heart set on a dining table, consider placing it on the open side of your kitchen. 

Depending on the layout and location of your windows, certain areas of a U-shaped kitchen can lack natural light, making it feel dark. Ensure you have the right combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting in your kitchen to set the mood and illuminate your workspace. 

Your cabinets have the most potential to transform your kitchen from average to outstanding. Choose them wisely to maximise your storage space. Combine tall cabinets that make use of the vertical space with corner cabinets and deep drawers for stacking crockery, pots and pans.

Open shelves provide a stylish way to display jugs, vases, cookbooks, and framed art while helping make the kitchen feel more open and airy. Depending on how much space you have, you may choose to include open shelves in place of wall cabinets to break up the monotony of a single row of cabinets. 

Pick from cabinets with glass or fluted doors to add visual interest to your kitchen without sacrificing valuable storage space. If you like the idea of open shelving but you don’t have room to swap wall cabinets for shelves, then an accent cabinet will give you the best of both worlds.