Kitchen layout ideas | Period Living

Create a beautiful kitchen with a practical layout - be inspired by one of these kitchen designs.

1 An L-shaped arrangement where cabinets are placed at right angles to each other is one of the most practical layouts for a kitchen, but an island adds an extra preparation surface and storage just where it’s needed. Limestone painted cabinets are from the Chichester range by Kit Stone ; kitchens start at ?10,000.

2 Just as round dining tables are thought to be more sociable, so a circular island encourages others to help with food preparation. Situated in front of French windows, this one is an ideal place to work. Brooklands by Landau Complete. from ?15,000.

3 A contemporary take on a traditional design, this family kitchen, shown below, is also a work space used by a keen cook. Features that make it a success include a clear run of worktop between hob and sink and a fridge out of the working area so the family can use it without interrupting the cook. A walk in pantry helps reduce the need for long runs of cupboards in the main part of the kitchen. Kitchens by Chiselwood start from ?35,000.

4 In a spacious family kitchen aim to keep the furniture in proportion. Mark Wilkinson designed this large marble-topped island, pictured bottom, incorporating a sink and storage to stand opposite a four-oven Aga as an invaluable work centre. Cupboards on the dining room side of the island are a handy place to keep tableware. Mark Wilkinson kitchens start from ?35,000.

5 When a kitchen is designed for entertaining as well as family living it should look impressive. This one, by Rencraft, has white cabinets with a multi-function walnut island that incorporates a sink, round chopping block and a breakfast bar. Rencraft kitchens start from ?12,000.

6 In this kitchen the main working surface is situated under the sloping ceiling to take advantage of light from the windows, while the appliances are against the full-height wall. Kitchens by Harvey Jones start from ?17,000.

7 American black walnut and white combine in this kitchen to ensure a warm and bright atmosphere. In a room that is designed for entertaining as well as cooking, the wood cupboards and dining table create a sophisticated space for eating while white is used for the working area. The imposing wood mantel that surrounds the Aga brings the two parts of this versatile kitchen together. The Porto Kitchen by Charles Yorke starts at ?20,000.

8 Relocated from the basement to the ground floor of a Georgian home, this kitchen adjoins the dining area and, through double doors, a sitting room. As the kitchen needed to co-exist with the elegant living space the large fridge-freezer was disguised as a larder unit and cabinets were painted light grey to accommodate future changes in decoration. Kitchens by Bath Kitchen Company start at ?25,000.

9 A sinuous worktop softens the lines of this Classic Painted Shaker kitchen designed by Davonport and makes it easier to situate the sink in the corner of the room. Curves work particularly well on an island unit smoothing the edges in a busy family kitchen. Davonport kitchens are from ?35,000.

10 Natural wood, blue-green paintwork and an Aga cooker give this kitchen traditional style, but the layout is designed for efficiency with an island that doubles as a preparation table and breakfast bar and the Aga placed to warm the dining area. Designed by Barnes of Ashburton. similar kitchens cost from ?25,000.

11 This granite topped circular island is a fully equipped food preparation area with sink, storage and an overhead rack for utensils. The island is part of a Handpainted Kitchen by Smallbone. from ?35,000.

12 Combining worktop materials in a kitchen is a practical design feature. Here, water resistant teak surrounds the sink while granite provides a heat proof surface near the cooker. On the island, a pale maple worktop draws light to the centre of the room. Kitchens by Thomas Thomas cost from ?30,000.

13 Modern efficiency and traditional styling come together in this Renaissance kitchen by Cotteswood. The island separating the cooking area from the living space puts a sink and a generous preparation area within easy reach of the cooker. Cabinets painted Edwardian Cream and a pale limestone floor maximise light and give the room an airy atmosphere. Cotteswood kitchens start from ?20,000.

All prices and stockists correct at time of publishing