5 Small L-shaped Kitchen Layouts Designed for Function and Flow

When designing a tiny kitchen, the L-shape arrangement is one of the best ways to get big performance from a small footprint. By concentrating the appliances and storage on two adjoining walls, you benefit from a short walking distance and an effective kitchen work triangle. In this guide, we break down five small L-shaped kitchen layouts that include important dimensions, workflow details, and design tips you can use for your own remodel project.

7×9 Compact L-Shaped Kitchen with Corner Sink Layout

With an angled corner sink, this kitchen design anchors two straight cabinet runs and offers a tight work triangle, that delivers a full-function workflow in just a 7′ × 9′ space.

Floor Plan Details: This plan uses two adjoining walls to form an efficient L with a 28″ × 24″ single-bowl sink set on the countertops 45° corner. This setup allows the chef to easily pivot to either countertop leg for prep and cleanup. The long leg located along the 9′ wall holds a 24″ cooktop with an oven below. There’s a continuous counter for prep between the cooktop and sink, and on the other side. The short leg, toward the 7′ wall, ends with a counter-depth refrigerator. The overall effect is a tight work triangle that flows from the sink to the cooktop to the fridge, all while keeping the aisle open for movement.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 7′ (top) × 9′ (left).
• Corner sink: 28″ × 24″ sink bowl on a diagonal cabinet corner base.
• Cooktop/oven: 24″ wide under-counter unit.
• Refrigerator: Low profile unit placed at the end of the short leg. Plan on counter-depth 24 to 27″ deep to protect aisle space.
• Counter depth: standard 24″.
• Recommended clearances: 36″ to 42″ aisle with a 15″ landing space at the sink, 12″ to 15″ on the handle side of the cooktop, and 15″ near the fridge.

Design Tips:

• Choose a single-bowl sink. The tight-radius sink can maximize corner usability and be paired with a flip-up or pull-out cutting board for extra prep space.
• Use corner storage solutions. Installing a lazy Susan, LeMans, or blind-corner pull-outs works great to reclaim the dead corner.
• Keep the fridge counter-depth. If possible, hinge it to open away from the corner so the doors don’t block the sink.
• Go with a slim dishwasher. If a dishwasher is needed, an 18″ model fits neatly on one side of the corner sink.
• Run wall cabinets to the ceiling. This offers more storage for the tight floor plan.
• Opt for 24″ appliances. This saves space and provides better access in tight rooms).

9×10 Small L-Shaped Style Kitchen With Breakfast Bar Floor Plan

This L-shape kitchen features a peninsula that adds prep space and two-seat dining without intruding on the work triangle.

Floor Plan Details: This plan adds a curved peninsula for a two-seat breakfast bar for those who want to eat inside the kitchen. The long leg, or left wall holds the sink with the dishwasher directly beside it for easy loading. The peninsula serves as a prep space beside the cooktop and a serving/breakfast bar that keeps guests seated out of the aisle. The short leg, on the top wall, runs a continuous countertop with a 24″ cooktop/oven centered in the middle and leads to a counter-depth refrigerator at the far right. 

Dimensions:

• Room size: 9′ (top) × 10′ (left).
• Cooktop/oven: 24″ wide under-counter unit.
• Refrigerator: A counter-depth  model (about 24 to 27″ deep) at end of long run.
• Dishwasher: standard 24″ next to the sink.
• Peninsula overhang: 12″ to 15″ for seating, make sure to allow 24″ width per stool.
• Clearances: 36″ to 42″ main aisle; 30″ to 36″ walkway behind seated diners.
• Counter depth: 24″ for bar top 

Design Tips:

• Keep the DW on the handle side of the sink. This can better streamline cleaning/rinsing.
• Add a pull-out trash near the sink. This speeds up prep and cleaning.
• Choose a counter-depth fridge.  Hinge it to open toward the counter for easier access.
• Use a rounded or clipped peninsula corner. This will help reduce bumps.
• Support the peninsula overhang with concealed brackets if it exceeds 10″ to 12″.
• Maximize storage with drawer bases and a corner carousel or LeMans unit.
• Install under-cabinet lighting to illuminate the counters.

6×9 Small Kitchen With L-Shaped Cabinet Layout And Vertical Pantry 

This small kitchen design places a tall storage pantry at one end, next to the refrigerator, with a corner sink  and cooktop for an efficient workflow.

Floor Plan Details: This compact L-shaped kitchen plan features a long leg on the left that starts with a full-height 24″ wide pantry, measuring 84″ high, next to a 24″ counter-depth refrigerator. This is followed by a countertop and a corner sink. As you round the corner to the shorter leg, you have another length of countertop that ends in a cooktop with an oven below. The result is a tight, and efficient work triangle that goes from the pantry/fridge → prep → sink → cooktop. 

Dimensions:

• Room size: 6′ (top) × 9′ (left).
• Cooktop/oven: 24″ wide.
• Refrigerator: 24″ counter-depth (24 to 27″ deep).
• Pantry: 24″ wide, with a 84″ height full-depth cabinet.
• Corner sink: Set on a diagonal corner base.
• Counter depth: 24″.
• Clearances: target 36″ aisle. This provides 15″ landing at sink, 12″ to 15″ at the cooktop, and 15″ beside the fridge/pantry for loading.

Design Tips:

• Choose compact (24″) appliances and a corner sink to keep counter lengths uninterrupted.
• Fit the corner with a lazy Susan or LeMans pull-out unit to reclaim deep storage.
• Make the tall pantry able to be rolled out for easier access and add a broom or utility space.
• Use a counter-depth, hinge-reversible fridge so doors open toward the counter.
• Run ceiling-height wall cabinets to maximize the available storage.
• Use reflective or light-colored cabinets to enhance the open feel.

7×8 Small Kitchen With L-Shaped Design And Open Shelving

This kitchen pairs a corner cooktop with open shelving overhead to maximize workflow and create a more open, visual space.

Floor Plan Details: This compact kitchen layout positions the cooktop/oven set at a 45° angle in the corner to let you easily pivot between the sink and fridge. The left side of the leg features a sink next to a dishwasher for quick loading. The right leg stops at a counter-depth refrigerator, with counterspace next to it for loading and unloading food items. The upper storage is simplified with open shelves along both walls and over the sink, making the room feel wider and keeping items within reach.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 7′ (top) × 8′ (left).
• Cooktop/oven: 24″ wide on a diagonal corner cabinet base.
• Refrigerator: Its counter-depth measures 24 to 27″ deep, at the end of the short right leg.
• Dishwasher: 24″ next to the sink (consider 18″ if aisle is too tight).
• Counter depth: 24″ standard.
• Clearances: target 36″ to 42″ aisle and  aim for 15″ landing at the sink, 12″ to 15″ near the cooktop, and 15″ next to the fridge.

Design Tips:

• Use sturdy open shelves measuring 10″ to 12″ deep for daily dishes and keep your heavier items in base drawers.
• Add a rail system or hooks under the open shelves for utensils and mugs to free up extra counter space.
• Fit the corner with a lazy Susan to utilize the odd corner space.
• Specify a counter-depth, hinge-reversible fridge so doors open toward the counter, not the wall.
• Brighten the small room with under-shelf lighting and a lighter color or reflective backsplash.
• If space is tight, consider smaller 24″ appliances across the board.

7×8 Compact Kitchen With L-Shaped Layout And Integrated Appliance Wall

This tight kitchen keeps tall appliances along one wall, with the sink on the other side to create an open, easy-to-move design.

Floor Plan Details: This plan concentrates tall appliances along the top run with a 30″ oven/microwave cabinet sitting in the middle corner, followed by a pull-out pantry cabinet, and ending with a 30″ refrigerator at the far right. Grouping the oven, microwave, pantry, and fridge on one wall creates a clean “appliance wall,” that streamlines cooking efficiency. The left leg holds the sink with the dishwasher, making it ideal for prep work and cleanup.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 7′ (left) × 8′ (top).
• Oven/Microwave cabinet: 30″ wide on the angled corner.
• Pull-out pantry section: Typically 18″ to 24″ for both narrow pull cabinets.
• Refrigerator: 30″ wide, with a counter-depth model being recommended.
• Dishwasher: 24″ next to sink (consider 18″ for tight aisles).
• Counter depth: 24″.
• Target clearances: 36″ to 42″ aisle and landing areas that measure 15″ at the sink and near the fridge/oven.

Design Tips:

• Choose narrow pull-out pantry drawers for spices or bottles to maximize vertical storage.
• Add narrow vertical storage beside the appliance cabinetry for awkward sized baking trays or cutting boards.
• Use a single-bowl sink with a pull-out faucet combined with a pull-out trash to streamline cleanup.
• Run ceiling-height uppers to max the available storage in this compact footprint.
• Opt for built-in appliances that give an integrated appearance.
• Use recessed lighting to keep the layout modern-looking and bright.

For more like this, see our gallery page of kitchens with compact designs.