Kitchen Layout Planning Vancouver 2026: Galley, L-Shape, U-Shape & Island (Real Costs)

Quick Answer

Most Vancouver kitchens fit one of six layouts: one-wall ($20K–$25K), galley ($22K–$30K), L-shape ($25K–$35K), L + island ($30K–$45K), U-shape ($30K–$45K), or U + island ($45K–$72K+). Your layout is set by structural walls, plumbing stack location, and how you actually cook — not by what looks best on Pinterest. This guide covers all six with real costs from 17 Reno Stars kitchens we built between $20K and $72K, plus the BC code constraints (BCBC 9.32, BC Electrical Code, strata load limits) that decide what's actually buildable.

The six Vancouver kitchen layouts at a glance

Layout	Best for	Typical budget	Reno Stars example
One-wall	Condos under 800 sqft, lofts	$20K–$25K	Coquitlam condo, Burnaby townhouse
Galley	Older condos, narrow townhouses	$22K–$30K	Minimalist Richmond ($22K–$25K)
L-shape	Apartments, small homes	$25K–$35K	Modern Langley ($20K–$23K), Coquitlam ($25K–$27K)
L + island	Suburban Vancouver homes	$30K–$45K	Custom Burnaby wood-veins ($30K–$35K), Langley waterfall island ($28K–$30K)
U-shape	Mid-size homes, multiple cooks	$30K–$45K	Custom Burnaby gold fixtures ($35K–$40K), Surrey ($35K–$38K)
U + island	Large open-concept	$45K–$72K+	Vancouver white shaker ($70K–$72K)

These ranges are full-renovation budgets — cabinets, countertops, sink, faucet, range hood, backsplash, paint, electrical, plumbing, demo, and disposal. They do not include appliances. For a deeper line-item breakdown by tier, see our Kitchen Renovation Cost Vancouver guide.

What actually sets your layout

Layout is decided by five things — none of them are aesthetic:

1. Structural walls and beams. Load-bearing walls cost $4K–$15K to remove (engineering, permit, header, drywall). A non-load-bearing wall is $800–$2,500. If the beam is post-tension or there's a steel column, double those numbers.
2. Plumbing stack and gas line position. Moving the kitchen sink adds $2K–$5K (new vent stack, P-trap, supply lines through the floor). Moving the gas line for a range adds $1.5K–$4K (gas fitter + permit). If you can keep both within 4 feet of where they are, you save the most money.
3. Window and door positions. A window over the sink is non-negotiable for most homeowners; a window directly behind the cooktop violates BC code (combustibles within 600mm above a gas burner). These two constraints usually decide where the sink and range go.
4. How many people cook at once. Solo cook? One-wall or galley works fine. Two cooks regularly? U-shape or L+island so two people aren't elbowing each other at the same 6 ft of counter.
5. Whether you eat in the kitchen. Eat-in kitchens need a 30"×42" minimum seating zone. If you eat at the dining table next door, you can claw back that square footage for prep counter.

Layout is not decided by Pinterest, HGTV reruns, or the first showroom design that looked nice.

Layout 1: One-wall

All cabinets, the sink, the range, and the fridge live on one continuous run. Common in Vancouver condos under 800 sqft, lofts, basement suites, and laneway homes.

When it works: Floor plates are narrow (under 8 ft wide on the kitchen wall) or the kitchen opens into a living area where you can't add a second run.

When it doesn't: Two-cook households — there's only one work zone. Heavy meal-prep weeks: counter space gets eaten by appliances and you're chopping on a 24" island of counter between sink and stove.

Layout-specific cost: Cheapest layout because cabinet linear footage is lowest (8–12 LF). Counter sqft is 12–20 sqft. Minimal plumbing/gas relocation. Real Reno Stars example: Coquitlam condo kitchen — quartz countertops, two-tone cabinets, integrated panel fridge, finished in 3 weeks.

BC-specific constraint: In strata buildings under 2003, you may need to keep the sink in its existing location because the in-slab P-trap can't be moved without strata approval and structural review. Confirm with strata council before quoting.

Layout 2: Galley

Two parallel cabinet runs facing each other across a walkway. Common in 1970s–1990s East Vancouver townhouses, older West End condos, and rental conversions.

When it works: Narrow kitchens 8–12 ft wide. Two cooks can pass without crashing. Storage is generous on both walls. Fast workflow — sink and stove are within two steps.

When it doesn't: Pinch point at the walkway. BC code requires a minimum 36" walkway between counters (we recommend 42"–48" for two cooks). A 32" galley is uncomfortable and the dishwasher door can't open with someone standing at the opposite counter.

Layout-specific cost: Doubles cabinet linear footage vs. one-wall (16–24 LF) and counter sqft (24–40 sqft). But you get away with one sink and one gas line — no extra plumbing or electrical relocations. Budget tier: $22K–$30K. Real Reno Stars example: Minimalist Richmond kitchen — wood grain laminate + quartz, finished in 3–4 weeks for $22K–$25K.

Layout 3: L-shape

Two perpendicular cabinet runs meeting in a corner. Sink and stove typically separated on the two runs, fridge anchoring one end.

When it works: Most apartments and small single-family homes. Open-concept toward a dining area. Solo or two-cook households where the second person can grab a drink without blocking the chef.

When it doesn't: The corner cabinet is dead space unless you spec a magic corner or lazy susan (add $400–$900). If the L is longer than 10 ft on one side, the run becomes inefficient.

Layout-specific cost: Similar to galley on linear footage (16–22 LF) but corner storage solutions add $400–$1,200. Budget tier: $25K–$35K. Real Reno Stars examples: Modern Langley kitchen with white shaker cabinets ($20K–$23K, 4–5 weeks); Budget-friendly Coquitlam kitchen ($25K–$27K, 5–6 weeks).

Layout 4: L + island

L-shape plus a freestanding island. The single most common Vancouver kitchen layout for homes built or renovated post-2010.

When it works: Open-concept main floors in suburban Vancouver (Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, Langley, Richmond) where the kitchen flows into the dining/living zone. Island doubles as prep counter, breakfast bar, and sightline to the family room.

When it doesn't: Kitchens smaller than 12 ft × 12 ft — the island eats into the 36" minimum walkway. Strata condos with floor load limits — a solid stone waterfall island can be 200+ lbs and exceed the live load rating.

Layout-specific cost: Adds 8–16 LF of cabinetry, 12–25 sqft of countertop, dedicated 15A or 20A island outlet circuits, and (often) a relocated dishwasher into the island. Waterfall edges add $1,500–$4,000. Budget tier: $30K–$45K. Real Reno Stars examples: Custom Burnaby kitchen with wood-veins cabinets and black fixtures ($30K–$35K, 4–5 weeks); Langley kitchen with waterfall island design ($28K–$30K, 4–6 weeks); Modern Langley with quartz countertops ($32K–$35K, 3–4 weeks).

Layout 5: U-shape

Three perpendicular cabinet runs forming a U. Sink usually opposite the cooktop, fridge at one of the open ends.

When it works: Mid-size kitchens 10–14 ft on each axis with three full walls available. Heavy storage requirement — pantry families, families that cook 5–7 nights/week. Two cooks who work in clearly separated zones (one at sink/prep, one at stove).

When it doesn't: Open-concept layouts (a U-shape closes off the kitchen visually). Small spaces — a 9 ft × 9 ft U-shape leaves a 36" workspace square that feels cramped.

Layout-specific cost: Most linear footage of any non-island layout (20–28 LF). Two corner storage solutions required. Budget tier: $30K–$45K. Real Reno Stars examples: Custom Burnaby kitchen with gold fixtures ($35K–$40K, 4–6 weeks); Modern Surrey kitchen with custom cabinets ($35K–$38K, 4–5 weeks).

Layout 6: U + island

The U-shape with a separate island in the middle or open end. Premium layout for large open-concept kitchens.

When it works: Open-plan main floors 16 ft × 16 ft or larger. Big families, frequent entertainers, multi-cook households. When you want a separate prep zone (island), cooking zone (one U run), and clean-up zone (sink run).

When it doesn't: Almost everything under 200 sqft of kitchen floor area. You will not fit three walkways at 36" minimum each.

Layout-specific cost: 28–40 LF of cabinetry, 40–60 sqft of countertop, multiple specialty appliance integrations, custom range hood box, and usually a higher-spec material palette across the board. Budget tier: $45K–$72K+. Real Reno Stars example: Vancouver white shaker kitchen — full custom, $70K–$72K, 8–10 weeks.

BC-specific layout constraints

These are the rules that decide what's actually buildable in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, Coquitlam, and the rest of Metro Vancouver:

• 36" minimum walkway between counters and islands. Not 42" — that's a US/NKBA guideline. BC code minimum is 36". For two-cook households we still recommend 42"–48".
• 24"–48" of landing counter on each side of the cooktop. Less than 24" and you can't safely set down a hot pan. More than 48" and you're walking too far.
• Dishwasher within 6 feet of the sink. Drain hose maximum run before you need a booster pump.
• GFCI counter circuits within 1.5m of the sink (BC Electrical Code 26-700). Two dedicated 20A counter circuits minimum.
• Range hood CFM matched to BTU (BCBC 9.32; covered in our Range Hood Install Vancouver 2026 guide). Crosses 400 CFM and you need a makeup-air kit ($800–$2,500 added).
• 600mm clearance above a gas cooktop to combustibles — no windows directly behind a gas burner without a non-combustible flame shield.
• Strata floor load limits. Solid stone islands in concrete-frame condos generally fine; in wood-frame strata buildings the live load rating can be exceeded by a 30" × 7 ft quartz island with waterfall edges. Get strata approval before specifying.

How layout drives total cost

Four line items vary dramatically by layout. Everything else (cabinet finish, countertop material, tile, paint, labour rates) is layout-independent.

1. Cabinet linear footage. One-wall: 8–12 LF. Galley: 16–24 LF. L: 16–22 LF. L+island: 24–34 LF. U: 20–28 LF. U+island: 28–40 LF. At $400–$900/LF for stock cabinets, $900–$2,200/LF for custom, this is the biggest swing.
2. Countertop sqft. One-wall 12–20 sqft, galley 24–40, L 24–36, L+island 36–55, U 40–60, U+island 50–75. At $80–$180/sqft installed quartz, that's $4K–$13K of variance.
3. Plumbing/gas relocation. Layouts that move the sink or range cost $2K–$8K more than layouts that keep them. The cheapest layouts respect the existing rough-in.
4. Electrical. Island circuits (dedicated 20A under-counter + outlets), under-cabinet lighting (12V LED, separate circuit), and dedicated range/cooktop circuits all stack. Island alone: $400–$1,200.

Layout cost reconciliation — 17 Reno Stars kitchens

Mapped to actual project budgets from our DB:

Layout	Real budget tier	Example project
One-wall (condo)	$25K–$28K all-in	Coquitlam condo
Galley	$22K–$25K	Minimalist Richmond
L-shape	$20K–$30K	Modern Langley, Richmond modern, returning customer Richmond
L + island	$28K–$35K	Langley waterfall island, Burnaby wood-veins, Modern Langley with quartz
U-shape	$35K–$40K	Burnaby gold fixtures, Modern Surrey custom
U + island	$70K–$72K	Vancouver white shaker (full custom)

The cost range overlaps because material choice (laminate vs. quartz vs. natural stone, stock vs. custom cabinets) and finish level (standard hardware vs. Häfele soft-close + integrated handles) move the number more than layout alone — for any given layout. Layout sets the floor; material and finish set the ceiling.

8 layout mistakes we redo

These are the recurring mistakes we see homeowners commit to before calling us, and the ones we charge to fix mid-project when the layout was wrong on paper:

1. Island too close to the wall run. Less than 36" walkway. We've torn out three islands that didn't pass final walk-through.
2. Sink and cooktop on the same run with no landing zone between them. Wet hands, hot pan, no place to set anything down. Forces a redesign of the run.
3. Fridge in the path between sink and stove. Breaks the work triangle. Every meal becomes a maze.
4. Forcing an island into a kitchen under 12 ft × 10 ft. The walkway minimums don't fit. A peninsula off the L would work; the island doesn't.
5. Moving the plumbing stack when you didn't need to. $3K wasted because the new sink location was 2 ft from the old one — could have been re-piped in the wall without touching the stack.
6. Specifying an island bigger than the cabinet truck can deliver to a 4th-floor walk-up. We've delivered islands in three pieces and assembled on site — adds $1,200 in labour. Measure the path.
7. Forgetting the 18" minimum below upper cabinets to the counter (BC code). The cabinets had to come back down and out 1.5" — $1,800 redo.
8. Putting the trash drawer on the opposite side from the sink. You're walking 6 ft for every prep cycle. Trash goes next to sink. Always.

Sample budgets — three real Vancouver layouts

Sample 1: Galley refresh, East Van rental upgrade — $22,000–$25,000 all-in

• 18 LF stock cabinets, soft-close
• Quartz countertop (28 sqft, mid-tier)
• Stainless undermount sink, single-lever faucet
• 400 CFM range hood, ducted out
• Subway tile backsplash to underside of uppers
• Existing electrical rough-in retained
• Existing plumbing rough-in retained
• 3–4 week timeline

Sample 2: L + island, suburban Burnaby family home — $32,000–$35,000 all-in

• 26 LF custom shaker cabinets (Italian veneer or quality MDF)
• Quartz countertop, 42 sqft (incl. island top with 1.5" eased edge)
• Island: 30" × 84", base cabinets + seating overhang
• Two-tone cabinet palette (uppers light, base + island dark)
• Two dedicated 20A circuits + island outlets
• Plumbing relocated 2 ft for island prep sink (optional)
• 700 CFM range hood, ducted out, dedicated 15A
• 4–6 week timeline

Sample 3: U + island, open-concept Vancouver west-side — $68,000–$72,000 all-in

• 36 LF full-custom cabinets, Häfele soft-close, integrated handles
• Quartz countertop, 58 sqft with waterfall edges on island
• Island: 36" × 96", seating overhang, prep sink with disposal
• Three dedicated 20A counter circuits, under-cabinet 12V LED on separate dimmer, range circuit relocated
• Plumbing relocated for island prep sink
• 1000+ CFM ducted range hood with 600 CFM makeup-air kit (BCBC 9.32)
• 8–10 week timeline

FAQ

What's the cheapest kitchen layout in Vancouver? One-wall ($20K–$25K all-in), because cabinet linear footage and countertop sqft are at their minimum. Galley is close behind ($22K–$30K) but doubles the cabinet count. The single biggest cost variable across all layouts is whether you move the plumbing stack or gas line — keep both in their existing locations and you save $2K–$8K regardless of layout.

What kitchen layout do you recommend for a Vancouver condo? For condos under 800 sqft: one-wall or galley. For 800–1,200 sqft condos with an open floor plan: a tight L-shape, possibly with a peninsula instead of an island (peninsulas don't need a 36" walkway on all four sides). Avoid full islands in concrete-frame strata buildings without checking floor load ratings.

How big does my kitchen need to be for an island? 12 ft × 10 ft is the practical minimum for an L + small island (24"–30" wide island). For a comfortable L + island with seating, target 13 ft × 12 ft. For U + island, 16 ft × 14 ft minimum. Below those dimensions the 36" walkway requirement is violated and the kitchen feels cramped.

Can I move my kitchen sink to a new wall? Usually yes, but it adds $2K–$5K (new venting, P-trap, supply lines through floor or wall). In strata condos with in-slab plumbing, sometimes no — get strata council approval and a plumber's site visit before committing to a layout that requires the sink moved.

Do I need a permit to change my kitchen layout in Vancouver? If you're keeping all walls, plumbing, gas, and electrical in their current locations: usually no permit (cosmetic renovation). If you're moving plumbing, gas, electrical, or any wall: yes, you need a building permit from the City of Vancouver, plus separate trade permits (plumbing, gas, electrical). Permit cost is $300–$1,200; timeline 2–6 weeks. Strata may also require approval. Plan permits into the schedule before booking the demo crew.

What's the difference between a peninsula and an island? A peninsula is attached to one wall or cabinet run on one end; an island is freestanding on all four sides. Peninsulas need a 36" walkway on three sides only (cheaper to fit in smaller kitchens). Islands need 36"+ on all four sides, plus electrical outlets and (often) plumbing. For kitchens between 10 ft × 12 ft and 12 ft × 14 ft, a peninsula is usually the better choice.

Should I do a waterfall island? Waterfall edges add $1,500–$4,000 to the countertop cost (extra material, mitered joints, on-site fabrication). They look great with quartz or natural stone. We recommend them on islands 7 ft or longer, where a butt edge looks unfinished. Skip them on islands under 5 ft — the visual proportion doesn't work. See our Quartz vs Granite Countertops Vancouver 2026 guide for material decisions.

How long does each kitchen layout take to build? One-wall: 3–4 weeks. Galley: 3–5 weeks. L-shape: 4–5 weeks. L + island: 4–6 weeks. U-shape: 4–6 weeks. U + island full custom: 8–10 weeks. Add 2–3 weeks if you're moving plumbing or gas. Add 2–6 weeks for permit if a wall is coming down.

Can I change the layout without moving any walls? Usually yes — you can switch from a 1990s galley to an L+peninsula, or from a one-wall to a small L, without touching walls. The constraint is plumbing/gas position. If you can absorb a $2K–$8K plumbing relocation, almost any layout shift is feasible in an existing footprint.

Next steps

Pick the layout that matches your space and how you actually cook, then estimate your cost from our Kitchen Renovation Cost Vancouver guide. Compare cabinet options in IKEA Sektion vs Custom Kitchen Cabinets Vancouver 2026, then nail down ventilation in our Range Hood Install Vancouver 2026 guide and lighting in Kitchen Lighting Design Vancouver 2026.

When you're ready, contact Reno Stars for a free in-home consultation. We've completed 700+ projects across Metro Vancouver including the 17 kitchens above. We'll walk your space, sketch the three layout options that fit, and quote each one with line-item pricing tied to real material costs.