8×10 Kitchen Layout Ideas With Floor Plans You’ll Love

In truth, an 8×10 kitchen isn’t “small”; in fact, with the right layout ideas, it can provide a very functional and stylish space with an effective work triangle for your cooking needs. In this guide, I share how arrangements with L-shapes, U-shapes, galleys, and single-wall kitchens can deliver a smooth workflow, offer plenty of storage, and even offer seating, all without feeling cramped. Every design below is drawn to scale and shows effective appliance placement, aisle widths, seating zones, and stool clearances, so you can copy a layout with confidence that it will work for you.

L-Shaped Kitchen with Peninsula Seating Layout

This L-shaped kitchen design works because it keeps everything close and within reach to create a true work triangle with a peninsula for a two-seat dining and entertaining space.

Floor Plan Details: This compact kitchen sets the main run of cabinets and appliances along the 10 ft wall, with the shorter 8 ft leg forming a peninsula that curves into a seating end for two. The cooktop with an oven below is placed on the long wall, nearest the corner with space on either side for prep work. The refrigerator sits at the far right side, which makes it more accessible for grabbing quick drinks when needed. The sink is installed inside the peninsula with the dishwasher immediately to the left for easy cleanup and load movement. A dedicated prep surface is found between the sink and cooktop, so all of the food prep can happen inside the work triangle. There’s a 36″ aisle that separates the back counter from the peninsula, making it work well for a one-cook kitchen, while allowing easy chatting with guests.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 8′ × 10′
• Aisle clearance: 36″ between the back wall and the peninsula, which is a single-cook minimum
• Target an aisle of 42″ between the back counter and the peninsula if you cook often with a partner
• Peninsula cabinet depth: 24″ with a counter overhang of 12″to 15″ for seating
• Stool allowance: 24″ width per seat with 15″ knee space at a 36″ counter height
• Leave peninsula length of 48″ to 54″ of length to seat two comfortably
• Appliance widths: Range 30″, DW 24″, refrigerator 33″ to 36″
• Landing areas: At least 15″ on one side of the cooktop and 24″ on one side of the sink, with 15″ near the refrigerator
• Dishwasher clear swing: Keep 21″ to 24″ of free floor space in front so it can open easily

Design Tips:

• Choose a counter-depth refrigerator to maximize the aisle space and keep the cabinet run streamlined.
• Add a pull-out pantry directly next to the fridge for storing dry goods near the cooktop.
• Slightly round the peninsula end to soften the edges and reduce painful bumping.
• Place trash and recycling pull-outs near the sink.
• Install GFCI outlets along the peninsula for small appliances.
• Add under-cabinet lighting on the back wall for cooking tasks.
• Consider extending the peninsula 12 to 18″ to fit a third stool if you like to host or want to accommodate more diners.
• If you often co-cook, consider a wider aisle of 42″.
• Vent the cooktop with a slim hood above and keep 15″ min. non-combustible clearance on each side.

Ideal For: The L-shape kitchen with a peninsula is best for couples or small families who want a casual dining space without having to add a full table.

U-Shaped Kitchen with Corner Sink Layout

This U-shape kitchen design is effective because it places a corner sink, oven, and fridge within a close-range work triangle that keeps things within reach.

Floor Plan Details: This 8×10 kitchen wraps cabinets and counters around three sides to form a U shape. There’s a 36″×36″ diagonal sink set in the upper left corner facing toward the oven with a dishwasher and fridge on either side. The refrigerator is on the left leg near the room’s entry for quick access. Opposite it, the range with the oven below is on the right leg. This setup gives a straight shot from the fridge to the corner sink, to the cooktop for ease of use. The top run is dedicated to the cleanup zone with the dishwasher directly adjacent to the sink in the corner. A 6 ft aisle reaches side to side between cabinets so one or two cooks can have room to maneuver.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 8′ × 10′
• Interior span between side runs: about 6′, which is a 10′ room width minus two 24 to 25″ counter depths
• Counter depth: 24 to 25″ with an upper cabinet depth of 12″
• Corner sink cabinet: 36″ × 36″ diagonal, which fits typical single or compact double bowls
• Range width: 30″ and make sure to leave 15 to 18″ of landing area on each side 
• Dishwasher: 24″, is placed immediately beside the sink
• Refrigerator: 30 to 36″ with a counter-depth preferred
• Recommended landings: 24″ at one side of the sink, and 15″ near the fridge 

Design Tips:

• Consider installing a Lazy Susan in the corner next to the sink to use otherwise dead space.
• Put the dishwasher on the top run, so the door opening doesn’t block the sink.
• Go counter-depth with the fridge to keep the cabinet rub flush on the sides.
• Add a pull-out spice or storage tray next to the range and install a drawer for pots & pans directly beneath the cook zone.
• Run under-cabinet lighting on all three legs to eliminate shadows.

Ideal For: Ideal for single cooks or pairs who like the room to spread out, and want an efficient work triangle.

Galley Kitchen with Breakfast Bar Floor Plan

This kitchen offers a 40″ galley aisle that keeps the fridge, sink, and range within a tight and efficient work triangle and offers a breakfast bar for a quick bite without intruding on the cook’s space.

Floor Plan Details: With this galley kitchen design, you get two parallel cabinets and countertop runs on either side for an effective single-cook workstream. The left side holds the refrigerator near the entry point, followed by the sink and dishwasher. The right side starts with a small breakfast bar on the low end for eat-in dining for one, followed by a cooktop/oven toward the top. This setup keeps the hot cooking zone opposite the food storage and cleanup area. To make it easy to navigate, there’s a central 40″ aisle that works well for one cook while allowing appliance doors to open without any interference.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 8′ × 10′
• Counter depths: 24″ on each side
• Center aisle: 40″, however, try to target 42 to 48″ if two people cook together
• Range width: 30″ and target 15″ to 18″ landing area on at least one side for prep space
• Dishwasher: 24″ wide and placed adjacent to the sink
• Breakfast bar overhang: 12 to 15″ and allow 24″ width for one stool 
• Set-down space: 15″ minimum near the refrigerator and 24″ at or beside the sink

Design Tips:

• Choose a counter-depth appliances to maintain a straight edge cabinet profile along the galley walkway
• Keep a continuous prep zone between the sink and cooktop.
• Install trash and recycling pull-outs near the sink to avoid cans from blocking the aisle.
• Specify a slide-in or front-control range with a low back to get the most counterspace.
• Add pendant light fixtures over the small breakfast bar and under-cabinet lighting beneath both cabinet sides.
• Use heat and splatter protection by installing a full-height backsplash near the range. (quartz, porcelain tiles, or granite.)
• Install storage drawers near the range for awkward sized pots-and-pans and baking sheets.
• Choose a stool that can tuck under the breakfast bar overhand to conserve aisle space. 

Ideal for: A galley style kitchen is perfect for apartments or condos where space is limited and the user wants an effective cooking triangle.

Single-Wall Kitchen with Storage Island Design

Placing all of the appliances along one wall with a nearby island keeps the kitchen’s layout efficient and maintains an open feel, so the room stays smooth and uncluttered.

Floor Plan Details: With this one-wall kitchen design, all of the appliances reside on the 10 ft wall, starting with the refrigerator on the left, a 30 sink at the center, a dishwasher, and then the range/oven at the far right. This creates a simple cooking work flow that goes fridge → sink → prep → range. A compact storage island is placed across from the sink and is centered in the room for extra surface space. The island can be a built-in fixture or a portable cart, depending on your needs, and can be used as a prep surface and have drawer storage underneath. The floor plan offers 42″ aisles around the island and a single line of cabinets, so there’s room for one to two people to move freely.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 8′ × 10′
• Main counter depth: 24″
• Sink base: 30″ with a dishwasher measuring 24″ beside the sink
• Range/oven: 30″ is typical and leave 15 to 18″ landing space on at least one side
• Refrigerator: 36″ wide with a  counter-depth preferred to stay in line with the cabinets
• Island size: 36″ × 24″ (Can use a movable cart and push against one wall if room is limited)
• Clearances: 42″ on all sides of the island, but may want to target 48″ if you often cook with your partner
• Recommended landings: 24″ at or adjacent to the sink, 15″ near the fridge, and 15 to 18″ next to the range

Design Tips:

• Keep the island storage-only, with no sink or range so there’s no expense for running plumbing/gas.
• Choose an island with deep drawers for storing pots, mixing bowls, and small appliances.
• If you power the island, consider adding a microwave drawer.
• Install electrical outlets on the island per local code (GFCI) if you want to use your mixers and blenders there.
• If you ever want seating at the island, add a 12″ overhang on one side and increase the corresponding aisle to 48″.
• Use under-cabinet lighting all down the wall run and add a pair of pendants over the island to up the style and reduce shadows.
• Install a tall pantry near the refrigerator or range to increase vertical storage.

Ideal for: A single wall kitchen works great in open-plan homes or studio apartments.

Compact L-Shape Kitchen Floor Plan with Tall Pantry Cabinet

This L-shaped kitchen adds tall pantry storage next to the refrigerator and cooktop so that food prep easily progresses from storage to cooking.

Floor Plan Details: This 8×10 kitchen layout uses an efficient L-shape with the sink positioned at the lower left near the entry, and a tall pantry cabinet at the other end. The dishwasher is located immediately adjacent to the sink for easier cleanup, followed by a section of countertop space dedicated to a prep area. Rounding the corner, there’s a compact 24″ range/oven, then leading to a refrigerator and the food pantry. Since the 30″ refrigerator is bookended by a 24″ full-height pantry, the design concentrates tall storage at the end so that ingredients and small appliances can be easily found when needed. The overall result is a tight triangle that goes from storage, fridge, sink to range, so there’s a functional workflow.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 8′ × 10′
• Sink base: 30″ on the short side
• Dishwasher: 24″, is placed directly beside the sink
• Range/oven: 24″ and in the center of the long wall
• Refrigerator: 30″ use a counter-depth model to limit the appliance from jutting out
• Pantry cabinet: 24″, with a full height and roll-out compartments
• Recommended clearances in front of the cabinets/appliances: 36 to 42″ for a working aisle
• Landing areas: 24″ at and adjacent to the sink, with 15 to 18″ spacing near the range, and 15″ near the fridge

Design Tips:

• Use a Super Susan or blind-corner cabinet pullout at the inside bend to utilize the hard to reach potential storage space.
• Keep the trash/recycling pull-outs between the sink and range, or just to the right of the sink for ease of use.
• Choose a counter-depth refrigerator model so that the door swing doesn’t interfere with the walkway.
• Fit the tall pantry with roll-out trays and upper door shelves to accommodate different sized items
• Add a pull-out or tray divider next to the range and deep drawers for storing pots and pans nearby.
• Mount a small task sconce to brighten the sink area.

Ideal For: This L-shaped kitchen design with a tall pantry is best for busy households that need maximum storage and organization.

For more like this, take a look at our smaller kitchens with l-shaped designs.