Kitchen planning involves selecting the best layout to maximise functionality and efficiency within the available space. In modular kitchen design, kitchen layouts like U-shaped, parallel, L-shaped and galley kitchens are commonly used. Of these, the L-shape modular kitchen design is particularly known for being able to enhance efficiency in small spaces. Continue reading to understand exactly what a modular kitchen design in L-shape is, its price, pros and cons, and explore design tips to create a unique and practical L-shape modular kitchen in homes.
What is an L-Shape Modular Kitchen?
As the name suggests, an L-shaped modular kitchen has countertops and cabinets arranged along walls that are perpendicular to each other, forming an L-shape. This layout in modular kitchen design is most efficient for small-to-medium-sized spaces, where it can maximise functionality and enable easy working movements. It is particularly common in modern apartment buildings with open floor plans and in residences which need multifunctional kitchens that support activities other than cooking, such as dining and socialising.
Benefits of an L-Shape Modular Kitchen Design
An L-type modular kitchen design offers several advantages, including:
- Blends Well With Open Plans: Modern L-shape modular kitchen designs blend well into homes with open floor plans, offering a seamless integration with living and dining spaces, as well as with utility and pantry areas. Such layouts do not create any physical or visual barriers in open floor plans, thus allowing the free flow of natural light and air across the floor space.
- Optimal for Small Spaces: In small and/or narrow kitchens with widths as low as 6 feet, L-shaped layouts offer the maximum efficiency. Since it has two open ends, two people can simultaneously work even in an L-shaped small modular kitchen with a minimal area of around 65 sq ft.
- Can Integrate Supplementary Spaces: Elements like kitchen islands, breakfast counters, bar units and dining tables can easily be incorporated into L-shaped kitchens. This enables supporting activities—such as dining and socialising—to occur in the kitchen’s vicinity.
Limitations of an L-Shape Modular Kitchen Design
Some of the limitations that can be commonly observed in L-shaped kitchen layouts are:
- Corners Can be Tricky: An L-shaped kitchen unit has only one corner backed by two walls (unlike other layouts like the U-shape). However, this single corner can be difficult to access and requires smart storage solutions to be completely usable and functional.
- Not Ideal For Large Kitchens: While an L shaped small kitchen design in Indian homes may work efficiently, this layout may not be as functional for larger kitchens. Layouts like U-shaped, parallel or galley kitchens may work best for larger spaces, as they offer better workflows and minimise walking distances.
- Lower Counter Space: Since all the kitchen elements, including tall storage units, hobs, and kitchen sinks often need to be accommodated in a small L-shaped layout, the counter space in such a kitchen may be drastically reduced. This means that less space is available for food preparation and placement of appliances.
Planning Tips for a Modular Kitchen Design in L-Shape
You can use the tips below to create an efficient L shape kitchen modular design that has overcome its limitations:
Use the Kitchen Work Triangle
The kitchen triangle is an imaginary triangle drawn by joining the centre points of the refrigerator, sink and stove in kitchens. In an L shape small modular kitchen design, the dimensions of this guiding principle can be used to ensure functionality and efficient space optimisation. According to it:
- The length of each side of the triangle must be between 4 ft and 9 ft.
- The sum total of all the three sides must not be less than 13 ft and not more than 26 ft.
- No tall obstacles should be placed along the lines of the triangle or between it in order to maintain clean movements.
Plan the Corner Smartly
Ensure your L shape kitchen interior design incorporates smart storage solutions that improve accessibility to the corner storage and enhance its functionality. This may include pull-out shelves, rotating units (Lazy Susans), Magic Corner units (corner units that rotate and slide out) and/or corner drawers. On the kitchen countertop, use the corner to store appliances/ items that are not used often or place decor pieces like indoor plants.
Increase Vertical Storage
In your kitchen cabinet design, include more base units (storage below the countertop), wall units (storage above the countertop) and loft units, while avoiding or using minimal tall units (full-height wardrobe-like storage). This will free up the kitchen countertops and provide more space for preparing food and storing appliances. Use pull-out units in the wall storage to ensure easy access.
Include Focused Lighting
While undertaking kitchen planning, make sure to analyse the lighting design. The working spaces in an L-shape modular kitchen design can often experience dimness if only ceiling lights are provided. It is therefore important to incorporate additional lights—such as focus lights or ambient strip lights placed below the wall units—above the L-shape kitchen platform design. Ceiling lights can be placed centrally above the island/ breakfast counters (if any) to provide overall bright lighting in the kitchen.
L-Shape Modular Kitchen Price
The L-shape modular kitchen price is mainly dependent on the base material used. The common prices for kitchen cabinets made of different base materials are as follows:
| Base Material Used | Kitchen Cabinet Cost Per Square Foot (₹) | |
| Solid Wood | 4,000 – 20,000 | |
| Engineered Wood | MDF | 2,300 – 3,700 |
| Plywood | 2,400- 5,000 | |
| Stainless Steel | 3,000 – 15,000 | |
| Aluminium | 2,700 – 12,000 | |
These prices indicate the rate of cabinets with their area measured in elevation.
The starting price of a small L-shape modular kitchen design (with a minimal area of 65 sq ft) is around ₹1.75 lakhs, including the basic hardware fittings, a sink, countertop, hob and chimney. However, this price can go up depending on the type of finishes, brand, hardware fittings, appliances used, location and market trends. For example, a luxury kitchen of the same size can cost at least ₹4.5 lakhs.
Getting the Best Modular Kitchen Design For Your Home
Designing an L-shaped modular kitchen requires smart space planning, efficient corner utilization, and expert design execution. Brick & Bolt is a leading construction company in India that has completed 10,000+ residential projects, thus offering an exceptional level of expertise in the field. With end-to-end design-build services provided by a team of experienced professionals, the company is well-equipped to handle building projects of all scales. To get the best L-shape modular kitchen design for your home or commercial building, reach out to Brick & Bolt today!
Apoorva H P Achar