In the latest in our series exploring kitchen layouts, we've picked eight examples from Dezeen's archive with U-shaped configurations to make efficient use of space.

The U-shaped kitchen, with an adjoining laundry room, opens to the main living room with a seated snack counter. Note the smaller deck beyond the kitchen – a great place to stomp off mud before ...

The "entire wall of cabinets," as Juliette calls it, offers way more storage than before - not to mention these linen ones stretch almost all the way up to the ceiling, unlike the '90s orange units ...

Having a generous length to play with also meant that a specular kitchen such as this one could be added without having to sacrifice other living areas. That is how the Monterey II can proudly ...