U Shaped Kitchen Layouts with No Island: Space-Saving Floor Plans

Looking for a kitchen design that looks great, allows ease of movement, stores a ton, and still feels open? U-shaped kitchen layouts with no island allow for many features within their streamlined floor plans. They wrap counters and storage on three of the sides, which helps keep the work triangle tight, and allows one to quickly get what they need with no hassles. In this guide, I share five proven U-shaped kitchens with no island needed that are sized for real homes, so you can find the perfect design for your needs.

8×9 Compact U-Shaped Kitchen With Work Triangle Layout

This U-shaped kitchen layout keeps the refrigerator, sink, and range within a tight work triangle, making it a great choice for fast and efficient cooking in its small footprint.

---

Easily Create Your Own Room Makeover

Upload a photo and get instant before-and-after room designs.
No design experience needed — join 2.39 million+ happy users.
👉 Try the AI design tool now

---

 

Floor Plan Details: This compact 8′ x 9′ U-shaped kitchen starts with the double basin sink on the top wall beneath a 4′ window. The 30″ range is placed on the right leg with counterspace to either side. The refrigerator is on the left near the entry with an abundance of countertop and full-height upper cabinets for additional storage. The three stations form a tight work triangle with a comfortable 60″ aisle to give room for two people cooking side-by-side. The cabinetry uses standard 24″-deep bases that offer adequate storage for the smaller floor plan.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 8′ x 9′
• Aisle clearance (cabinet to cabinet): 48″
• Base cabinet depth: 24″
• Window width above sink: 48″ (4′)
• Sink base: 36″
• Range: 30″
• Refrigerator: 30″
• Work-triangle legs: Fridge→Sink: 5′, Sink→Range: 3.2′, Range→Fridge: 5.7′ (compact and efficient)

Design Tips:

• Keep appliances at counter-depth: This maintains the 60″ aisle to accommodate more than 1 person at a time.
• Use drawers for bases on the prep side of the sink: Go with three-drawer stacks to store pans and dishes.
• Corner solutions like a lazy Susan or diagonal Susan can prevent dead zones in the two upper inside corners.
• Trash & recycling: Add an 18″ to 24″ pull-out to the right of the sink for quicker cleanup.
• counter space by the range: Ensure there’s at least 15″ of landing on one side for hot pans.
• Tall storage to the ceiling on the left: This helps maximize available storage space.
• Surface choices: Install light, matte fronts and a continuous backsplash to help visually widen the kitchen.
• Hardware & doors: Go with low-profile pulls to avoid collisions.

10×12 Efficient Family U-Shape Kitchen Floor Plan

If you want an efficient kitchen plan, this U-shaped design works because it pairs a perfect work triangle that makes cooking easy with a family-friendly pantry and refrigerator positioned near the entry.

Floor Plan Details: This 10′ x 12′ U-shaped kitchen places the sink at the top beneath a window and next to the dishwasher immediately to its right. Nearby, there’s a 30″ range on the right leg, and followed by a 36″ refrigerator at the lower end. On the left side, there is a large stretch of counterspace and cabinets leading to a 24″-deep pantry at the lower end for bulk storage. The 48″ wide opening along the bottom feeds into a 60″ aisle, so there’s room to access items without interfering with the cook zone. The work triangle goes from the fridge → sink/prep → range, and is compact and effective. Custom features like the pull-out spice rack next to the oven and the reach-in pantry add to the space’s functionality.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 10′ x 12′
• Aisle clearance: 60″
• Doorway/opening: 48″
• Window over sink: 4′
• Sink base: 36″
• Dishwasher: 24″ to the right of the sink
• Range: 30″ on the right leg
• Refrigerator: 36″ on the lower right
• Pantry depth: 24″
• Work-triangle legs: Fridge→Sink 6.5′, Sink→Range 4.7′, Range→Fridge 3.6′

Design Tips:

• Landing zones: Allow 15 to 18″ of countertop on the latch side of the fridge and on both sides of the range top.
• Spice & utensil pull-outs: Use a 3″ to 6″ pull-out beside the range for cooking essentials.
• Trash & recycling: Place an 18″ to 24″ pull-out between the sink and range for easier cleanup.
• Dishwasher usability: With DW to the right of the sink, store all of your most used dishes in upper cabinets directly above.
• Pantry efficiency: Add roll-outs and bins for storing specific items. Use this to keep small appliances stored.
• Kid-safe traffic: The 48″ opening with slider can limit circulation if needed.
• Lighting plan: Install task LEDs under both side cabinet runs.
• Use your natural light: Keep the window shade equipped with a light-filtering shade to protect privacy without losing any daylight.
• Appliance depth: Choose counter-depth appliances to stay in line with the cabinet profile.
• Corner solutions: Use a lazy Susan or blind-corner pull-out to use the corner dead space better and keep cooking items accessible.

12×14 Spacious Entertainer’s U-Shape Design Kitchen 

This kitchen plan adds a sitting nook at the entry across from a reach-in pantry, which can be used as a workspace, a place to pay bills, or sit for a quick eat-in bite. 

Floor Plan Details: This 12′ x 14′ U-shaped kitchen is built with cooking and gathering in mind. Its sink is centered on the top beneath a 4′ window creating an inviting focal point and allowing in well needed natural light. Next to the sink is a dishwasher on the right for easier cleanup. Continuing on the right side is a 36″ range and a 36″ refrigerator, followed by a small nook/seating zone. This seating nook can be equipped with a chair that slides under the counter and it can be equipped with a drawer for paying pills or other work essentials. The left leg houses a 30″ double wall oven with a 24″ reach-in pantry near the entry. There’s a large 72″ center aisle that keeps traffic flowing and lets multiple people work together at the same time. The work triangle stays compact while the room feels open for any entertaining you want to do.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 12′ x 14′
• Aisle clearance: 72″
• Window width over sink: 4′
• Sink base: 36″
• Dishwasher: 24″ to the right of the sink
• Range: 36″ on the right leg
• Refrigerator: 36″ on the right leg, near the nook
• Double wall oven: 30″ on the left leg
• Pantry depth: 24″
• Approx. triangle legs: Fridge → Sink 6.7′, Sink → Range 3.5′, Range → Fridge 3.3′

Design Tips:

• Entertaining lane: Use the right-side nook as a beverage/snack station while entertaining.
• Work nook: Equip the sitting nook with electrical outlets for powering a laptop and phones when needed. 
• Oven ergonomics: Add 30 to 36″ of landing space to the latch side of the double oven.
• Prep efficiency: Keep a 24″–30″ uninterrupted prep zone between sink and range; fit a 18″–24″ pull-out trash there for one-step cleanup.
• Corner access: Use a lazy Susan or LeMans trays in the inside corners to keep items reachable when needed.
• Pantry upgrades: Install full-extension roll-outs + door racks to turn the 24″ pantry into a high-capacity storage zone for bulk goods.
• Appliance depth: Choose counter-depth refrigeration to preserve the wide aisle.
• Lighting plan: Add under-cabinet task strips on all three runs, with recessed ceiling cans, and pendant/sconce options over the nook.
• Ventilation: Pair the 36″ range with a high-CFM, quiet hood to provide adequate ventilation.
• Finishes: Go for a luxe feel by running a continuous backsplash and a single, durable countertop to reduce visual breaks.

9×10 Modern Minimalist U-Shaped Style Kitchen Design

This compact kitchen design works because it offers an efficient work triangle combined with a smart pull-out pantry to keep everything within a couple of steps for a minimalist feel that works.

Floor Plan Details: This 9′ x 10′ U-shaped kitchen goes for a modern minimalist style by keeping everything tight and clutter-free with a pull-out pantry. The 33″ sink sits at the top beneath a 4′ window, with a 24″ dishwasher to the left. A 30″ cooktop sits on top of the right leg with drawer bases below and counter space to the side. Opposite the cooktop on the left side is the compact 30″ refrigerator. Between the fridge and the upper corner is a slim pull-out pantry, making food storage more organized and accessible. A comfortable 54″ aisle is large enough for two people to pass while still maintaining an efficient work triangle.

Dimensions:

• Room size: 9′ x 10′
• Aisle clearance: 54″
• Window over sink: 4′
• Sink base: 33″
• Dishwasher: 24″ to the left of the sink
• Cooktop: 30″ on the right leg
• Refrigerator: 30″ on the lower left
• Pull-out pantry: slim base/tall pull-out between fridge and corner
• Work-triangle legs (approx.): Fridge→Sink 5.0′, Sink→Cooktop 3.6′, Cooktop→Fridge 5.2′

Design Tips:

• Minimal lines: Choose flat-panel, handleless or low-profile hardware pulls to avoid any obstructions.
• Drawer bases everywhere: For the cabinet bases, equip them with deep drawers so that pots, dishes, and pantry items are accessible with one pull.
• Reserve doors for the sink cabinet only: Use doors under the sink and if you install any upper cabinets.
• Counter-depth fridge: Keeps 54″ aisle intact so that the appliance doesn’t stick out.
• Trash & recycle: Add an 18″ to 24″ pull-out trash receptacle between the sink and cooktop.
• Lighting: Install under-cabinet LEDs to better light the counters and maintain the minimalist, airy feel.
• Color/materials: Use light hues with matte fronts with a warm, mid-tone color floor to reduce visual clutter and help the design be brighter overall.

For more plans like this, see our gallery of 10×10 kitchens on this page.

11×13 Open-Concept U-Shape Style Kitchen Floor Plan

This U-shaped kitchen design combines a built-in sitting and dining area with a wide 66″ aisle to help the space stay open and social.

Floor Plan Details: This kitchen offers the sweet spot between cooking efficiently and hosting effortlessly, by pairing an efficient work triangle layout with an eat-in breakfast nook. The 11′ x 13′ floor plan wraps the work triangle around you with the sink at the top, the fridge on the left, and range on the right so every task is one or two steps away. The small sitting area is near the entry on the left keeps family and friends into the conversation without being in the way of the cook zone. 

Dimensions:

• Room size: 11′ x 13′
• Aisle clearance (cabinet to cabinet): 66″
• Window above sink: 4′
• Sink base: 33″
• Dishwasher: 24″ to the left of the sink
• Range: 30″ on the right leg
• Refrigerator: 36″ on the left leg
• Approx. work-triangle legs: Fridge → Sink 4.4′, Sink → Range 5.0′, Range → Fridge 5.88′

Design Tips:

• Seating comfort: Give the breakfast bar a 12″ to 15″ overhang with sturdy brackets and plan on elbow room of 24″ width per stool.
• Landing zones: Keep 15″ to 18″ of counter space beside the fridge and on both sides of the range.
• Storage upgrades: Add a narrow spice or utensil pull-out near the range for ease of grabbing ingredients while cooking.
• Corner access: Fit a lazy Susan or corner pull-out on the corners to avoid dead storage space.
• Finish strategy: Keep counters and backsplash continuous all the way around the U to visually tie the space together.

Kitchen Plan Breakdown

If you’re interested in checking out more U-shaped kitchens with islands, take a look at this page.