Floor plan G-shaped kitchen layout [2023]

Looking for a Floor plan g-shaped kitchen layout? And are you planning a complete kitchen remodel or want to change the existing layout? If so, have you considered a G-shaped kitchen? If not, give it a thought because G-shaped kitchens are revered for their style and functionality.

Also known as a peninsula kitchen layout, G-shaped kitchens resemble U-shaped kitchen layouts, but it has an extended countertop. Hence, G-shaped kitchens offer plenty of cabinet storage and a workspace for preparing meals and entertaining family or guests.

Here are seven essential takeaways on G-shaped kitchen layouts

1. G-shaped kitchens provide increased storage, workspace, and improved efficiency.
2. They can be adapted to small spaces and open-plan layouts.
3. Utilize wall and corner cabinets to maximize storage.
4. Add a kitchen island or peninsula for extra functionality.
5. Consider lighting and color schemes to enhance the space.
6. Address common challenges like limited natural light and appliance placement.
7. G-shaped kitchens are ideal for large families and those who enjoy entertaining.

Here is a guide on different G-shaped kitchen layouts and tips on how to flawlessly incorporate the design into your space.

G-shaped kitchens are great for cooking and entertaining. With a G-shaped kitchen, I have created an efficient workspace perfect for preparing meals for the entire family. The layout of the G-shape kitchen provides plenty of countertop space and a large island for prepping, cooking, and entertaining. It also offers plenty of storage, with ample space for appliances, utensils, and dishes. Plus, a G-shaped kitchen can be designed to fit any size, from a small galley kitchen to a large open floor plan kitchen.

Here are some ideas for designing a G-shaped kitchen:

• Add an island. It is the perfect way to create additional workspace and storage in a G-shaped kitchen. It can be used for meal prep, casual dining, and entertaining.
• Install an open storage unit. It can be used to store kitchen essentials like dishes, utensils, and small appliances.
• Make use of corner cabinets. They are great for storing food items, pots and pans, and other kitchen tools.
• Incorporate a breakfast nook. It can be a great addition to a G-shaped kitchen, providing a place to enjoy and entertain.

Keeping this in mind, let’s take a look at four different types of G-shaped kitchen layouts:

1. This is also known as the Peninsula kitchen. This kitchen layout locates the fixtures and the cabinetry along three adjacent walls and ends in a bar counter extension. It is popular for combining a work counter and additional seating area with a U-shape layout.
   
2. This layout places cabinetry and fixtures along two adjacent walls. One of the walls extends to a bar counter. This layout typically includes a large workspace in the center of the ‘G,’ and other work areas are located in the arms of the ‘G.’ This layout is great for cooks who need a lot of counter space and storage and those who like to cook with an assistant. The bar area in a G-shaped kitchen layout is typically located along one side of the kitchen, often in the corner. This allows easy access to the refrigerator, sink, and other appliances.
   
3. The cabinets in this layout are located along the walls of the “U” portion of the floor plan. They may also be located along the walls of the “G” portion, depending on the design of the room. The bar area in a G-shaped kitchen layout is typically located along one side of the kitchen, often in the corner. This allows easy access to the refrigerator, sink, and other appliances.
   
4. In this G-shaped kitchen layout, fixtures and cabinetry are located along the three walls of the G shape. This includes the wall cabinets and countertops along the main wall, the base cabinets and countertops along the shorter wall, and the sink, refrigerator, and other appliances along the wall connecting the two.
   

The Benefits of a G-shaped Kitchen Layout

Here are a few benefits to consider when thinking about a G-shaped kitchen.

Increased Storage and Workspace

The G-shaped kitchen design has an extra wing that offers more storage space and counter space for working. It provides more base kitchen cabinets for storing kitchen appliances such as dishwashers, under-counter refrigerators, or freezers.

Improved Efficiency and Flow

A G-shaped kitchen is an efficient layout as it offers several options for designing a kitchen work triangle. You can accommodate more than one cook in the ample space without causing foot traffic.

Enhanced Functionality and Versatility

Since it holds everything a great kitchen needs, such as flexibility and extra storage space, a G-shaped kitchen is the most functional of all kitchen designs. While designing and customizing your kitchen, you are spoilt for options for arranging the layout.

How a G-Shaped Kitchen That Maximizes Storage and Workspace

As mentioned, the best thing about a G-shaped kitchen layout is that it offers more cabinet storage and workspace. Here are a few tips to assist you in maximizing the usage of all that extra space you just got.

Utilizing Wall and Corner Cabinets

With the G-shaped kitchen designs, you can easily install a Lazy Susan and blind corner base cabinets to take advantage of the corner areas that used to be hard to reach. This provides counter space and storage space in places that typically would be left open. The best way to utilize the corner base cabinets in your G-shaped kitchen is by using accessories to access whatever you store.

Incorporating Additional Countertop Space

A G-shaped kitchen layout has an endless countertop space compared to U-shaped kitchens. Hence, you get enough room to work in the kitchen.

Adding a Kitchen Island or Peninsula

The G-shaped layout allows you to install a kitchen island or peninsula. You can use the island for food preparation and other chores or add bar stools to make it a dining room. If you love entertaining guests as you prepare meals or hang out with your family, an island should be your go-to way of utilizing your G-shaped kitchen.

Adding a kitchen island is also an excellent solution if your space is small, and you can even remove a wall to open up space to an adjacent room without compromising storage space.

Tips for Designing and Decorating a G-Shaped Kitchen

The G-shaped kitchen layout requires decent square footage to accommodate its unique shape. It is a perfect kitchen layout for medium to large kitchens. Here are a few ideas and tips to guide you through your journey in designing and decorating your new kitchen.

Determining the Right Size and Proportions

The first step in designing your dream kitchen is ensuring you have enough space to fit the layout you have set out to work with. For a G-shape kitchen layout, consider a minimum of 10’ x 10’ space area for an efficient work triangle. The access point into your kitchen should be at least 36” wide, but it can be as wide as 48” to reduce disruptions in your kitchen’s traffic flow.

Choosing the Right Cabinetry and Appliances

In a G-shaped layout, a variation of top cabinetry is essential. Since the bottom units are already covering the four walls of your kitchen, using matching top units can feel overwhelming and shrink the space, especially if your space is tight. Consider a light tile backsplash, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances since the style compliments any look.

Try playing with your arrangement, like installing your top cabinetry in the corners or slightly above head level for extra storage. You can also opt for straight runs of top cabinetry on one wall or two wall spaces. If you plan to use the peninsula as a breakfast bar, avoid fixing a unit above it to create a communal feel in your space.

If you plan to install a full-height refrigerator or oven unit, you can install a full-length unit to sit alongside it without invading the rest of the kitchen space.

Incorporating Decorative Elements and Color Schemes

G-shaped kitchen designs hold many cabinet units that will determine the color scheme of the space. The best place to start is choosing light, neutral colors for the kitchen cabinets and countertops. A neutral color scheme for your storage units offers more flexibility if you want to redecorate your space in the future. White cabinetry is the most versatile option, which you can pair with grey, light wood, or granite countertops and stainless steel appliances and add extra pops of color to the walls and kitchen accessories.

If you prefer a fun retro look, consider pink, light green, or yellow base units with top cabinets fitted at intervals to add pops of color without overwhelming the room. Keep your cabinetry simple and use dark or bold colors on less dominant features for the best results.

Next, consider lighting up your kitchen. G-shaped kitchens are flexible in the lighting styles you can install, and you can choose whichever style fits your taste. Pendant lights are the most decorative option, although you can also opt for LED strips under the top cabinets. The lighting in a kitchen accentuates shiny worktop surfaces and the stainless steel appliances, which reflect light around the kitchen.

Common Challenges and Solutions for G-Shaped Kitchen Floor Plans

Like any other kitchen layout, G-shaped kitchens have some limitations. Let’s have a look at some of them.

Limited Natural Light and Ventilation

Since a G-shaped kitchen layout features four walls and three storage walls, your space can feel small. Also, hanging and full-length kitchen cabinets can smother natural light and limit ventilation, especially if you have a small kitchen.

Consider installing less cabinetry near the kitchen windows. Use white countertops and light hues on your cabinetry to make your room look more spacious.

Too Much Unused or Wasted Space

Believe it or not, a G-shaped kitchen offers plenty of storage space which can sometimes be a waste. The extra space may be too much to handle if you live in a small home. The best way to approach this is to avoid this type of kitchen floor plan if you don’t plan on using your kitchen very often.

Difficulty with Furniture and Appliance Placement

The G-shaped kitchen layout is relatively complicated compared to the L-shaped, U-shaped, or galley kitchen layouts. It would help if you decided where to place your cabinets, sinks, refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves, and other appliances. You must also consider countertops, preparation, and storage space. To achieve a functioning work triangle, you must put much thought into the layout beforehand. You might find this design overwhelming if you’re trying to keep things simple.

Can a G-Shaped Kitchen Work Well in a Small Space?

Although G-shaped kitchens best fit large spaces, you can still incorporate them into small spaces. Consider installing your refrigerator at a 45-degree triangle from the sink and stove to leave enough space for foot traffic.

You can maximize storage in your small G-shaped kitchen by fixing cabinet storage on one side of your kitchen island and extra seating on the other. You can also install tall cabinet units on the sides without the peninsula.

How Can You Incorporate a G-Shaped Kitchen into an Open-Plan Layout?

You might like the open-plan kitchen layout if you prefer something other than an enclosed working space. Luckily, you can work your G-shape kitchen into an open-plan layout. The fourth wall in a G-shaped layout can serve as a peninsula. It opens up to the adjoining room, creating a breakfast bar. As an added advantage, the open peninsula kitchen can make the room feel spacious.

How to Adapt a G-Shaped Kitchen for People with Disabilities

25% of Americans have some disability. Hence, it would be best if you strived to make your G-shaped kitchen easily accessible to those who have disabilities. Here are a few tips:

• Ensure your kitchen is easily accessible with a wheelchair
• Fix the countertops at 34” or lower
• Use base cabinets for regularly used items like dishes and cups
• Install easy-to-use faucets like touch or single levers
• Install loop pulls on cabinets and drawers

How Can You Make Your G-Shaped Kitchen Feel More Spacious and Open?

One of the best ways to keep your kitchen feeling more open and spacious is to minimize the number of top cabinets as much as possible. For instance, consider installing top cabinets on two sides of the kitchen and leaving the other sides open.

You can also use an open-kitchen layout approach which opens up your kitchen to the adjoining room, making the space appear more open.

Is a G-shaped Kitchen Layout Worth it?

The answer depends on your style and storage needs as well as the size of your space. Unlike U-shaped kitchens, G-shaped kitchens are an excellent choice if you have a large family since they offer even more counter space and room for meal preparation and hanging out simultaneously.

If this article is insightful, read more kitchen remodel tips below.