Is there a kitchen layout that doesn't involve

[hedgehog]

an L or U shaped counter around an island?

[jeff47]

1. Sure.

1) Don't put in an island. Just leave it an L or a U.

2) A Galley kitchen.

You can make it any shape you want. But the most important thing to remember when designing the kitchen is how you are going to use it.

If you have one person cooking, keep in mind the workflow. They get raw stuff from the pantry and fridge, take it to a prep area, prepare it, take it to a cooking area, cook it, and then serve it. Make this path as short as possible while still leaving space to pull stuff out and set it on the counter.

This is most commonly described as the "work triangle" - the route from the fridge to the sink to the stove.

Typically, islands are put in because they provide a good work surface. You pull something from the fridge and set it on the island while you grab other stuff. Then you take it all over to the sink to wash it, and put it on the island to prepare. Then you take it all to the stove to cook.

Also, islands are good "get the hell out of my way" space. Someone can sit/stand on the other side of the island and talk to you while not interfering with cooking.

If you have more than one person cooking, you're going to want to modify this somewhat to avoid crowding. Sink close to the stove is great when there's one person there, but causes two people to bump into each other.

It should be noted that there is a very common stereotype that architects are not cooks. They often design lousy kitchens to work in.

[hedgehog]

2. About that -architects are not cooks -

I just love seeing a kitchen photo with fresh flowers cluttering the work space and all the frequently used items (mixer, blender etc) out of sight.

[Warpy]

3. Galley kitchen

which is an amazingly efficient layout. It doesn't satisfy the "cooking as theater" people or the ones who want to keep an eye on toddlers, but it works really well for people who cook. It also keeps the mess in the kitchen, out of sight from one's guests, and if the cook drops the roast, no one is going to be the wiser.

I find I can cope with most kitchens, even really bad ones, if there is a big enough landing area next to the stove for a cutting board and lazy Susan of condiments and utensils.

[clamshells]

4. Yes.

I hate islands in the kitchen. In a previous home, the kitchen had two longish sides a few feet apart, so you had room to comfortably turn between them, but not enough room to slop a pan of water carrying it across.

The stove was on the short side, the other short side was the entrance. The sink was on a long side near the stove, the refrigerator was on the other long side at the entrance end, so there was counter room by the stove. I think the dishwasher was next to the sink on the side away from the stove.

Update: Looking galley kitchen up on the web, this seems to be one.