The layout decides whether a kitchen is pleasant to cook in. Get it right before you argue about shutter colour.
The work triangle
Sink, hob and fridge should form a triangle with each leg between 1.2 m and 2.7 m, and no through-traffic cutting across it. Every good layout below is just a way of achieving that.
Which layout for which room
Match the layout to your floor plan:
- —Straight — rooms under 7 ft wide; cheapest per kitchen
- —L-shape — the default for most Assam flats; best triangle in a small area
- —Parallel (galley) — long narrow kitchens; needs 1.2 m clear between runs
- —U-shape — 10 x 10 ft and above; maximum storage
- —Island — 12 ft width minimum; needs plumbing or electrical planning early
Ventilation for Indian cooking
Heavy frying needs a 90 cm chimney at 1200+ m³/hr suction, ducted out where possible. Recirculating filters struggle with Assamese and North Indian cooking loads.
Non-negotiable dimensions
Counter height 850–900 mm, counter depth 600 mm, wall unit bottom 1400 mm from floor, 1.05 m minimum clear walkway. Ignore these and no finish will save the kitchen.
Frequently Asked
Which kitchen layout is best for a small flat?+
L-shape. It gives the best work triangle and storage for rooms under 100 sq ft.
Want an exact figure for your home?
Free site visit and itemised quotation across Upper Assam.