To plan a kitchen layout, measure the room and mark the fixed points (water, drain, gas, window, doors), choose a layout that fits the width (one-wall, galley, L, U, island or peninsula), place the sink, cooktop and fridge first, then fill the runs with cabinets and check the aisle widths: NKBA suggests at least 107 cm (42 in) for one cook and 122 cm (48 in) for two.
Key takeaways
- Plan around the fixed points first: the water supply and drain, the gas or power for the cooktop, the extractor duct, windows and doors.
- European base units are about 60 cm deep with a worktop 85–95 cm high (EN 1116); US base cabinets are 24 in deep with a 36 in counter.
- NKBA guidelines: work aisles of 42 in (107 cm) for one cook and 48 in (122 cm) for two, and a walkway of at least 36 in (91 cm).
- Keep the sink–cooktop–fridge triangle compact: each leg 4–9 ft (1.2–2.7 m), the three together no more than 26 ft (7.9 m).
- An island needs aisle space on every side; in practice the room should be at least about 3.6 m (12 ft) wide.
Start with the room, not the cabinets
Most kitchen mistakes are made before a single cabinet is chosen: an island squeezed into a room that is 30 cm too narrow, a sink moved far from the drain, or a fridge door that hits a wall. A layout that works starts from the room's fixed points and the space people need to move.
- Measure the room Measure every wall at worktop height, the ceiling height and the position and size of windows and doors. Note radiators, pillars and boxed-in pipes.
- Mark the fixed points Mark the water supply and drain, the gas or the cooktop circuit, and the route for the extractor duct. Moving these is possible but often the most expensive part of a remodel.
- Choose a layout Pick the layout that fits the room width (see the table below). The width decides whether you can have two runs, a U-shape or an island.
- Place the big three Put the sink, the cooktop and the fridge first, with worktop space beside each. Everything else fills in around them.
- Fill the runs and check clearances Add base, wall and tall cabinets, then check every aisle, door swing and appliance door before you think about colours.
The six kitchen layouts and the room width they need
Widths below are rough planning figures: base cabinets of about 60 cm (24 in) plus the aisle guidelines from the NKBA Kitchen Planning Guidelines. Always check your own plan.
| Layout | Best for | Approx. room width | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-wall | Studios, narrow rooms, open plans | About 1.8 m (6 ft) including the walkway | Little worktop; add a table or trolley |
| Galley (two parallel runs) | Narrow rooms, one cook | About 2.3–2.4 m (7.5–8 ft) | Through traffic in the aisle |
| L-shaped | Square rooms, open plans | About 2.4 × 2.4 m (8 × 8 ft) | A dead corner cabinet; use a corner solution |
| U-shaped | Lots of storage and worktop | About 2.7–3 m (9–10 ft) | Can feel closed in; keep wall units off one side |
| Island | Larger rooms, social cooking | About 3.6 m (12 ft) or more | Aisles on every side of the island |
| Peninsula | When an island does not fit | About 2.7 m (9 ft) | Blocks one end; keep the entry clear |
Standard cabinet sizes: Europe and the US
Kitchen furniture follows different module systems. In Europe, EN 1116 coordinates the sizes of cabinets and built-in appliances; a summary of the standard lists worktop heights of 850, 900 and 950 mm and a worktop depth of at least 600 mm. In the US, base cabinets are 24 in deep with a 36 in counter and widths usually come in 3-inch steps.
| Item | Europe (metric) | United States (imperial) |
|---|---|---|
| Base cabinet depth | About 60 cm (worktop at least 60 cm) | 24 in (61 cm), counter about 25 in |
| Worktop height | 85, 90 or 95 cm (EN 1116) | 36 in (91 cm) |
| Base cabinet widths | Often 40, 50, 60 and 90 cm | 9–36 in in 3-in steps |
| Wall cabinet depth | 31–40 cm (EN 1116) | 12 in (30 cm) |
| Gap worktop to wall cabinet | At least 45 cm; 50–60 cm is common | About 18 in (46 cm) |
| Tall cabinets | About 200–220 cm | 84, 90 or 96 in |
Clearances that make a kitchen comfortable
The NKBA guidelines are the most widely used planning rules in North America and a good reference anywhere. They are recommendations, not building code.
- Work aisle: at least 42 in (107 cm) for one cook, 48 in (122 cm) for two cooks.
- Walkway where nobody works: at least 36 in (91 cm).
- Work triangle between sink, cooktop and fridge: each leg 4–9 ft (1.2–2.7 m), total no more than 26 ft (7.9 m), with no tall cabinet cutting through it.
- Dishwasher: within 36 in (91 cm) of the edge of the main sink, with standing room beside its open door.
- Landing area: worktop beside the fridge and on both sides of the cooktop so hot pans and shopping can be put down.
- Counter seating: about 24 in (61 cm) of width per person; behind the seats about 32 in (81 cm) if nobody passes and up to 44 in (112 cm) where people walk behind.
Island or no island?
Add it up before you fall in love with an island: 60 cm of base cabinets, a 107 cm aisle, an island about 90 cm deep and another 107 cm aisle make about 3.6 m (12 ft) of room width. If the room is narrower, a peninsula or a slim table usually works better than an island with cramped aisles.
Test the layout in 3D before you order
In ArchHomeAI, open the kitchen space, enter your room dimensions and place the runs, island and appliances at real size. Free planning in 2D and 3D shows aisle widths and door swings; when the layout works, try fronts and worktops on the 3D model or upload a photo of your current kitchen to preview finishes. For budgets, see our kitchen remodel cost guide.
Plan your kitchen at real size Enter your room dimensions, choose a layout and check every aisle in 2D and 3D. Planning is free. Open the kitchen planner
Frequently asked questions
What is the most efficient kitchen layout?
For one cook, a galley or L-shaped kitchen keeps the sink, cooktop and fridge close together. In larger rooms an island adds worktop and seating, but only if every aisle stays about 107 cm (42 in) wide or more.
How much space do I need between kitchen counters?
NKBA suggests at least 42 in (107 cm) between counters where one person cooks and 48 in (122 cm) for two cooks. Less than about 1 m makes it hard to open dishwasher and oven doors while someone passes.
What is the standard kitchen counter height?
In the US it is 36 in (91 cm). In Europe, EN 1116 lists 85, 90 and 95 cm; 90 cm is the most common, and taller people often choose 95 cm.
Is the kitchen work triangle still relevant?
Yes, as a check rather than a rule. Keeping the sink, cooktop and fridge within a short walk of each other saves steps, but modern kitchens also plan zones for prep, baking, coffee and cleaning.
Sources
How we wrote this guide: every figure comes from the sources listed at the end and was checked in September 2026. Prices vary by city, specification and year.
- Kitchen Planning Guidelines with Access Standards — National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)
- EN 1116 Kitchen furniture: coordinating sizes for kitchen furniture and kitchen appliances — BSI Knowledge
- UNI EN 1116: coordinating sizes for kitchen furniture (summary) — CATAS