--- title: The Kitchen Layout Alphabet description: The modern kitchen layout emphasizes an open plan. Instead of the kitchen being a small, isolated room in the back of the house, modern kitchen design puts it center stage image: https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kaufman-after-842x1024.jpg --- [![Gilday](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/theme2021/images/gilday-logo-white.png) ](https://www.gilday.com/) [ 301.565.4600 ](tel:301.565.4600) - [About Us](https://www.gilday.com/about-gilday-renovations) - [About](https://www.gilday.com/about-gilday-renovations) - [Architects & Designers](https://www.gilday.com/architects-designers) - [Administration](https://www.gilday.com/administration) - [Production & Construction](https://www.gilday.com/production-team) - [Careers](https://www.gilday.com/careers) - [Awards](https://www.gilday.com/awards) - [What Our Clients Say](https://www.gilday.com/gilday-renovation-reviews) - [Press](https://www.gilday.com/press) - Service Area - [Arlington VA](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-arlington-va) - [Alexandria VA](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-alexandria-va) - [Bethesda MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-bethesda-md) - [Chevy Chase MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-chevy-chase-md) - [Cleveland Park DC](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-cleveland-park-dc) - [Kensington MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-kensington-md) - [McLean VA](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-mclean-va) - [Potomac MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-potomac-md) - [Rockville MD](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-rockville-md) - [Washington DC](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-washington-dc) - [Portfolio](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio) - [Additions](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio#additions) - [Kitchens](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio#kitchens) - [Baths](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio#baths) - [Whole House Renovations](https://www.gilday.com/portfolio#wholehouse) - Services - [Home Remodeling the Design Build Way](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-the-design-build-way) - [Renovation Architect Services](https://www.gilday.com/renovation-architect-services-gilday-renovations) - [Whole-Home Remodeling](https://www.gilday.com/whole-home-remodeling-gilday-renovations) - [Kitchen Remodeling](https://www.gilday.com/kitchen-remodeling-gilday-renovations) - [Bathroom Remodeling](https://www.gilday.com/bathroom-remodeling-gilday-renovations) - [Home Additions](https://www.gilday.com/home-additions-gilday-renovations) - [Pricing & Budgeting](https://www.gilday.com/how-to-budget-for-a-home-renovation-project) - [For Realtors - Pre-Purchase Evaluation](https://www.gilday.com/for-realtors-pre-purchase-evaluation) - [Resources](https://www.gilday.com/renovation-resource-center) - [Renovation Articles](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.gilday.com/contact) x Search the site # The Kitchen Layout Alphabet [Kevin Gilday](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/author/kevin-gilday) ![The Kitchen Layout Alphabet](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kaufman-after-842x1024.jpg) The modern kitchen layout has developed along side modern kitchen design---which emphasizes an open plan concept.  Instead of the kitchen being a small, isolated room in the back of the house, it is now center stage.  The modern kitchen is expected to perform with much more versatility than that humble food prep and storage room of yesteryear. Kitchen configurations most requested by our Washington DC metro area clients are, in order of frequency, the  L, U and G-shapes.    The L, U, and G-shaped layouts work well for larger kitchen designs that include an island or bar seating and require a variety of task areas.  The direction the designer takes with the shape of the layout is determined by how it needs to relate to the adjacent rooms and corridors. Following are examples of each kitchen design layout type. Example of an L-shaped kitchen design in [Rockville, Maryland](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-rockville-md#kitchen-remodeling-rockville-md)   ![L-shaped kitchen design layout for Rockville residence](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kaufman-after-842x1024.jpg?width=600&name=kaufman-after-842x1024.jpg "L-SHAPED KITCHEN LAYOUT IN CHEVY CHASE BY GILDAY RENOVATIONS") L-SHAPED KITCHEN DESIGN WITH ISLAND BAR SEATING AND PREP SINK Example of a U-shaped kitchen layout in [Potomac Maryland](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-potomac-md#kitchen-remodeling-potomac-md)   ![U-shaped kitchen design layout in Potomac residence](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Werner-crop-1024x762.jpg?width=600&name=Werner-crop-1024x762.jpg "U-SHAPED KITCHEN LAYOUT IN BETHESDA BY GILDAY RENOVATIONS") U-SHAPED KITCHEN LAYOUT WITH BAR SEATING RIGHT AND OPEN WALL TO BREAKFAST ROOM (OUT OF FRAME RIGHT)    Example of a modified G-shaped kitchen layout in [Cleveland Park DC ](https://www.gilday.com/home-remodeling-cleveland-park-dc#kitchen-remodeling-cleveland-park-dc) ![G-shaped kitchen design layout in Cleveland Park DC residence](https://www.gilday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Sotsky-plan-after1-791x1024.jpg?width=600&name=Sotsky-plan-after1-791x1024.jpg "G-SHAPED KITCHEN LAYOUT IN WASHINGTON DC BY GILDAY RENOVATIONS") MODIFIED G-SHAPED KITCHEN LAYOUT SHOWS A LONG SEATING BAR RUNNING DIAGONALLY OFF THE RIGHT WALL ## The Best Kitchen Layout Setting aside the functional requirements of the kitchen itself, the best kitchen layout is the one that seamlessly blends into the physical characteristics of the space.  In other words, the room size and its relationship to adjoining rooms and the location of interior and exterior doors and windows will determine a kitchen layout that best defines task areas and circulation patterns. Learn about how to approach a kitchen design and remodeling project by downloading [The Definitive Guide to Kitchen Design & Remodeling Success](https://www.gilday.com/the-definitive-guide-to-kitchen-design-and-renovation).  [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4060073/fcedc039-fa05-42ab-80a8-3d78d9993148.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4060073/fcedc039-fa05-42ab-80a8-3d78d9993148) ## Related Articles: Kitchen Design and Remodeling [![Modernizing a Classic Kitchen in a 1920’s Bungalow](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/blog-images/02a-kitchen-renovation.jpg) **Modernizing a Classic Kitchen in a 1920’s Bungalow** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/modernizing-a-classic-kitchen) [![Transforming Your Kitchen: Strategies for Modern Living](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/portfolio/Kitchens/Modernizing-Classic-Kitchen/Modernizing-Classic-Kitchen-4.jpg) **Transforming Your Kitchen: Strategies for Modern Living** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-transformation-strategies) [![Kitchen Design Styles to Know Before You Remodel](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/whole-house/Duellman/Kitchen_2_F.jpg) **Kitchen Design Styles to Know Before You Remodel** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-design-styles-to-know-before-you-remodel) [![Kitchen Color Ideas for Your Home Renovation](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/Delan/4-kitchen-towards-family%20-oom.png) **Kitchen Color Ideas for Your Home Renovation** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-color-ideas-for-your-home-renovation-1) [![The Art of Kitchen Lighting Design](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/kitchen/Shaffer/Shaffer%202017%20Kitchen%206.jpg) **The Art of Kitchen Lighting Design** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-lighting-design) [![How Kitchen Layout Makes or Breaks the Kitchen Design](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/portfolio/Kitchens/Modernizing-Classic-Kitchen/Modernizing-Classic-Kitchen-4.jpg) **How Kitchen Layout Makes or Breaks the Kitchen Design** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-layout) [![Kitchen Renovation Take Two: Refining a Previously Remodeled Kitchen](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/blog-images/kitchen-renovation-1.jpg) **Kitchen Renovation Take Two: Refining a Previously Remodeled Kitchen** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-renovation-take-two-refining-a-previously-remodeled-kitchen) [![Kitchen Color Ideas for Your Home Renovation](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/Images/whole-house/Duellman/Kitchen_2_F.jpg) **Kitchen Color Ideas for Your Home Renovation** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/kitchen-color-ideas-for-your-home-renovation) [![Three Kitchen Remodel Strategies You’ll Want to Know](https://www.gilday.com/hubfs/cutler%20kitchen/wood-island-Kitchen-corner.jpg) **Three Kitchen Remodel Strategies You’ll Want to Know** ](https://www.gilday.com/design-build-dc-blog/three-kitchen-remodel-strategies-youll-want-to-know) [![Should I Renovate My Kitchen and Bath For Resale? 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