Help, which kitchen layout?

[Newbie2025]

Hello,
I'm undecided between 2 kitchen layouts, one is an L shape so would give us floor space and a nice open space, the other option is to place shallow units on the 3rd wall and have is as a U shape but not sure if this will feel too closed in and make it feel claustrophobic when we're all in the kitchen? The advantage of the U though is a little extra storage and most importantly more worktops. WWYD?

I think you get used to the space you have and would want the extra surface & storage

I think it depends how many people in the kitchen, if it's a family that is in there milling about a lot all doing stuff at once then it might be a bit cramped but if it is just mainly one person in there doing the cooking and people just at the table eating then I would have the extra storage and surface

Have you mapped it out on the floor? That’s what I did and worked out where I was going to put things with each layout which helped me make up my mind.

Sorry, I'm being a bit thick here but what is the brown squared bit, is it like a butchers block or just floor space, if its floor space I would go with the extra storage as it doesn't take up much room

id go U shape for sure , The L shape really isnt alot of counter space .

Always more storage and more worktops.

U shaped is the best type of kitchen in terms of layout and usability.

A U shape is easier to plan a decent “triangle” (sink, cooker, fridge). Think about how people will get drinks when you’re serving up dinner. How will people wash their hands when you’re cooking? You can never have too much work surface, in my opinion, and that area looks as though it would be dead space if not used as part of a U.

Sorry I should have added on my original post, it's a warning that comes up on the diy kitchens planner to say that the doors could clash , you won't be able to open them at the same time as the corner is a big L shaped corner unit.

Thank you for all of your help, it's put my mind at rest to go for the U shape. Most of the time it will just be me in there cooking and everyone else will be in the sitting room or at the table.
I think the extra worktop will definitely be needed , I just wasn't sure If it would be cramped or If the slimmer units on one side would look odd but we can't fit full sized units on both sides so has to be slim on one side.

I'd put a fridge freezer and a tall pantry cupboard on the lower U and use the other cupboard space for utensils and just have a kettle and toaster out keeping the worksurfaces clear.

Where is the fridge?

It helps the layout if the fridge is opening near a bench to make cups of tea or chop vegies etc.

I have slim units on one side of my U shaped kitchen..they are really useful. Still a lot of storage in the cupboards and I use the top for cook books, a coffee maker and a pot plant!

U shaped with extra storage then.

I voted L shape by mistake!!! I meant U shape.

What is the distance between the two sides of units?

We are just now putting in basically the same kitchen layout in a similar size space, and I am so happy with the shallow units! They add a surprising amount of worktop space. We have an IKEA kitchen, so I think our "shallow" units are slightly deeper then DIY Kitchens, but it still feels like we have plenty of room to move around each other if we are both in the kitchen at the same time :)

The floor space will be 120cm between them

Sorry I should have added that, the fridge is in the utility, not ideal but it's the only place for it.
Luckily the kitchen is small and were used to it being in there.

Would you mind adding a photo or messaging me one of you lt kitchen? I would love to be able to see what it will look like in real life.
Everyone has been so helpful and we are going to go for the U shape.

I also like a small U shape - so easy to work in

You can’t go wrong with extra storage or worktops!

I'd go u shape, but I wouldn't put wall units on that wall (it's not clear whether that's your intention or not.
Would having the U shape free up enough room to have an under-counter fridge in there? It would be a PITA having the only fridge in another room.

Yeah we are going to add wall units about the narrow base units to maximise storage.
We won't get a small under counter fridge on the shallow side but maybe could on the other side.
The utility is at the end of the kitchen and we are taking the doors off and having them as openings to help the space flow better.
I've attached a 3d photo of the kitchen from the plan.

I'll try and attach a photo here. Still in the middle of fitting it so excuse the mess and the "protection" cover plastic still on the units (also, oven and induction hob is going in empty unit on the short wall, but we're currently living with a tiny fridge instead as we have no appliances yet, happy times!) 😅

Ours might actually be slightly tighter then yours, I think we have about 110cm between units.