BUNNINGS October 2019

24
Plan it
U-shaped
As it sounds, this design has benches around three walls of the
room. “U-shaped kitchens provide plenty of storage options for
small and medium-sized spaces,” says Lisa Mayski. Be aware
that a U-shape will mean only one entry/exit point (this can be
a bonus if you don’t want the kitchen to be a thoroughfare),
and will have two lots of corner cabinetry, which means adding
smart storage systems to make them completely functional.
If the room footprint is small, this layout can feel cramped,
and having more than one person working in the kitchen will be
difficult. Consider open shelving for one wall, which will open up
the room at head height and enhance the sense of space.
On the plus side, the U-shape delivers lots of storage and
bench space (perfect when cooking for a crowd) and, if not too
large, an efficient working triangle. If the kitchen is to be part
of an open-plan space, the open-facing side could be made
wider to accommodate 300mm cupboards to hold tableware, or
given a deeper benchtop to create a breakfast bar. A G-shaped
layout is similar to the U-shape, but with a peninsular bench
across part of the fourth wall or opening, great for casual dining
Plan
1
The ‘return’
benchtop in this
U-shaped kitchen
doubles as a
breakfast bar
Shopping
2
1 Kaboodle open end wall cabinet in
Smoked Grey, $265, I/N: 0077047. 2 Practa
Solutions chrome corner cabinet carousel,
$106, I/N: 2669904. 3 Kaboodle 900mm
cut to measure laminate benchtop in
Mayonella, $286/linear metre, I/N: 2666409.
3
Open shelving helps break
up a bank of solid cabinets
L-shaped
Two banks of units hug
adjacent walls around the
corner of the room, which can
work well in a smaller home with
a combined kitchen-living zone.
“An open-plan kitchen works
best when entertaining family
and friends,” says Lisa, who
suggests adding an island if
possible. “Single-line or L-shaped
kitchens with an island offer
accessibility from all sides of
the kitchen, and work as a hub
for people to gather around.”
This is also a useful floor
plan if two people are likely to
be working in the kitchen at
once, as you can position the
cook zone and sink on different
runs of units. However in a large
L-shape, be wary of spreading
the work triangle out too far.
Make the best use of the
corner by investing in internal
mechanisms that will allow you
to access the whole cupboard.
“There’s a perception of dead
space in those awkward kitchen
corners,” says Lisa, “but you can
be clever with your cabinet
configuration and incorporate
internal wireware accessories to
ensure all areas are accessible.”
Look to solutions like pull-out
or rotating corner baskets.
1
Shopping
3
Plan
1 Kaboodle 900mm corner base
cabinet, $201, I/N: 2662245. 2 Kaboodle
2 tier blind corner soft close pullout
baskets, $537, I/N: 2667707. 3 Bellini
90cm freestanding gas cooktop and
electric oven, $1,299, I/N: 5103719.
Some products are not available at all
Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
2
Photography (top) Getty Images, (left) Kaboodle,
(opposite) Gap Interiors/Marcin Grabowiecki
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