What Are the Pros and Cons of G-shaped Kitchens? Ideas & Designs

Not sure if a G-shaped kitchen is right for you? Maybe you don’t even know what one is. Either way, this is the post for you. While many homeowners are aware of the ever-popular U-shaped kitchen, the purpose and function of G kitchens eludes them.

G-shaped kitchens are a clever way to trade a little bit of floorspace for a lot of extra function. If your kitchen design needs a little more workspace, a little more storage or a little more seating, the G could be the key.

To help you learn more about G-shaped kitchens, we’ll show you…

• What a G-shaped kitchen is
• How it differs from a U-shaped kitchen
• The pros and cons of G-shaped kitchens
• How to design a G-shaped kitchen
• Design your G-shaped kitchen with Advanced Cabinetry

 

 

Creating an efficient and attractive G-shaped kitchen layout can be challenging. To make the process easier, there are some basic guidelines to follow that will help you create a beautiful and functional cooking space. – Bauformatseattle

 

 

What is a G-shaped kitchen?

A G-shaped kitchen is built along three full lines, plus an additional smaller line—roughly resembling the shape of the letter G. Usually, the primary lines span the length of three walls, and the smaller line extends from one of them in the form of a peninsula that closes the kitchen off a bit.

G-shaped kitchens are ideal for a lone chef who never wants to lack benchtop space. Of all the kitchen layouts, G designs provide the absolute maximum in storage, seating and work space.

G-shaped kitchens are marked by…

• Peninsula to maximise space. Most G kitchens include a peninsula that allows for extra cabinets above, below or both. Additionally, the added benchtop space can be used to prep food, serve appetizers or even sit and eat a meal at.
• Closed-in floorspace. Although an open design can help the kitchen still feel roomy, the very nature of G-shaped kitchens means that there is usually a single walking path in and out of the kitchen.
• Customisable kitchen triangle. Because you have extra space to work with, there is a lot of opportunity to customise your range-fridge-sink triangle. Some people opt to place each element on a different wall, others use the peninsula for the cooktop and still others choose to separate their range so that they can opt for a double oven.

 

 

 

What is the difference between U-shaped and G-shaped kitchens?

G-shaped kitchens are often compared to U-shaped kitchens. This is because, essentially, you create a G kitchen by adding a peninsula to a U kitchen.

The main difference, therefore, is that a U-shaped kitchen has a little more floor space and feels a bit more open. A G-shaped kitchen built on the exact same floor plan is going to feel a bit more cramped, but they’ll have more storage and workspace because of the peninsula.

A G-shaped kitchen is an ideal choice if you want a U-shaped kitchen and need more benchtop space, but don’t quite have room to comfortably fit an island. If you tend to get claustrophobic or want more room for people to come and go, however, a U-shaped kitchen would be a better choice for you.

 

 

Space and functionality are the key benefits of a G-shaped kitchen – Magnet Kitchens

 

 

What are the pros and cons of G kitchens?

If you are considering many different kitchen layouts, it’s worth weighing the pros and cons of each. Here are the primary reasons that a G-shaped kitchen may or may not work out for you.

G-shaped kitchen advantages

More benchtop. The fourth line in G kitchens means even more benchtop. Whether you need that space to chop veggies, serve food or store appliances, you will never feel like you don’t have somewhere to set stuff down.

More seating. Like an island, a peninsula can be the perfect place for family and friends to gather for a meal or share a cocktail. If you are looking for an ideal kitchen layout for entertaining guests, you won’t be disappointed with a G-shaped kitchen.

More storage. No one, anywhere, ever complained of too much storage in their kitchen. Imagine an entire wall reserved for ceiling-to-floor cabinets. While not every homeowner chooses this for their kitchen design, it is a distinct possibility for G-shaped kitchens because you have so much more room to work with.

 

 

 

 

G-shaped kitchen disadvantages

Can feel confining. If the galley kitchen is the “coziest” of kitchen layouts, the G-shaped kitchen is a close second. Within the kitchen, the chef usually has plenty of room to move around their working triangle, even if they are sharing the space with a guest or two. However, being surrounded on four sides with a single narrow opening can feel a bit confining to some.

Needs a large floor space. Just like a U-shaped kitchen, the G-shaped requires a good amount of space. It’s not ideal for small homes or apartments because the peninsula can’t be added without cutting off traffic completely. If you can’t fit a G kitchen in your floor plan, but want a similar workflow, a galley kitchen is usually your best choice.

Troublesome corner cabinets. A fourth wall means an extra corner, which of course means an extra corner cabinet. Some homeowners just don’t like dealing with corner cabinets, especially if you’ve got small children. The other issue is that they can be difficult to design ergonomically, but this isn’t a problem as long as you hire a professional kitchen designer.

G-shaped kitchen ideas

Advanced Cabinetry has been building beautiful designer kitchens for almost twenty years. If you are looking for inspiration for your G-shaped kitchen, here are four stand out examples from our portfolio of past work.

Hamlyn Heights Shaker Kitchen

This kitchen in Hamlyn Heights was ideal for maximising cabinetry. As you can see, one wall is devoted almost entirely to storage, excepting only the built-in double oven. Sticking with the minimalist design that is the hallmark of Shaker cabinets, these homeowners chose a natural ivy green to complement the timber benchtops that serve as the kitchen’s main attraction.

 

 

Learn more about this kitchen design.

 

Hamlyn Heights Country Kitchen

This spacious country kitchen, also in Hamlyn Heights, avoids feeling too cramped by employing a wide, open peninsula with ample room for seating. Notice too, how the cabinets above the range are accompanied by timber shelves that allow the owners to customise their storage options a little bit more.

 

 

Learn more about this kitchen design.

 

Lethbridge Modern Hamptons Kitchen

This modern Hamptons kitchen design in Lethbridge features a very efficient working triangle. The refrigerator is opposite the sink, with the cooktop on the wall between. Combine this classic design with deep drawers and long benchtops, and you’ve got a kitchen that is any chef’s dream to cook in.

 

 

Learn more about this kitchen design.

 

 

Torquay Industrial Kitchen

This sleek industrial G-shaped kitchen features porcelain benchtops to compliment the deep black cabinets. Spacious windows help balance the dark colours with natural light, and the double benchtop on the peninsula maximises efficiency by providing room to prep, stage and serve food all at once.

 

 

Learn more about this kitchen design.

 

 

How to design a G-shaped kitchen

If you work with Advanced Cabintery, our kitchen design process is meant to transform your vision of a beautiful kitchen into an aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic reality. Our professional designers will listen to your wants and needs in a kitchen, and then find the best way to incorporate them into a G-shaped kitchen layout.

Here are some of the biggest considerations we’ll help you make.

Plan for how you dine

That peninsula is usually the focal point of a G-shaped kitchen, so proper design should be based on how you plan to use it. If your family dines in the kitchen all the time, for example, you’ll want the peninsula to be optimised for seating. If you usually eat in your dining room, though, the peninsula can instead be designed for maximum storage.

Account for travel space

G kitchen layouts are notorious for their narrow entryways. As much as possible, you want your kitchen design to minimise the impact of this tight corner on foot traffic. For example, if the fridge is placed opposite the peninsula, then entry to the kitchen is blocked off whenever someone is looking for a bite to eat.

Arrange your triangle strategically

Since there are so many options for where to place your three kitchen staples, you want to take time to decide what works best for you. An interesting aspect of the G-shaped kitchen is that it actually allows for the inclusion of an additional triangle of sorts. For example, if you build a second sink into your peninsula, you can arrange it to be close to the fridge to serve as a station for washing and chopping produce.

 

G shaped kitchen gives you a lot of space to keep items. However, if you are living in a small area then it could be too much to deal with. – Oysterhomes

 

 

Let Advanced Cabinetry design your beautiful new G-shaped kitchen

As we’ve seen, G-shaped kitchens are one of the most versatile layouts available to you. By giving up that little bit of extra floor space for a peninsula, you can add seating, storage, workspace and more.

But such versatility also means that G-shaped kitchens are a challenge. Without professional design, it is easy for them to feel cramped and inefficient. If you want your G kitchen to make the best use of your space and look good doing it, contact Advanced Cabinetry today!