Caravan Kitchen Layouts Explained: Which One Is Right For You?

The kitchen is the most-used area of any caravan on the Big Lap. You’ll prepare 600+ meals in it over a 6-month trip, more than 1,200 over a year. The layout determines whether cooking feels efficient and enjoyable or cramped and frustrating. Bench space, stovetop position, fridge accessibility, and the relationship between the kitchen and the door (for bringing groceries in) all matter more than you’d expect from a space that’s typically less than two metres long.

Galley Kitchen (Straight-Line)

What it is: Appliances and bench arranged along one wall in a straight line. Stovetop, sink, and bench in a row with the fridge at one end.

The advantage: Simple, space-efficient, and leaves the opposite wall free for lounge seating or dinette. Works well in narrower and shorter vans. Easy traffic flow past the kitchen.

The downside: Limited bench space. Preparing a meal with multiple components means shuffling everything along a single strip. No ability to “turn” between tasks; everything is lateral movement.

Best for: Compact and mid-size vans. Couples who cook simple meals. Layouts where the opposite wall serves another critical function.

L-Shaped Kitchen

What it is: Kitchen wraps around a corner, typically along one wall and across the rear or front of the van. Creates two arms of bench space meeting at a corner.

The advantage: More bench space than a galley layout. The corner creates a natural “workstation” feel where you can turn between stovetop and sink easily. Often includes more storage (corner cabinets). The most popular kitchen layout in mid-size to full-size Australian caravans.

The downside: The corner can create a “dead zone” that’s hard to access and wastes space unless fitted with a lazy Susan or similar solution. Takes up more floor area than a galley.

Best for: Mid-size to full-size vans. People who cook regularly and need prep space. Families preparing larger meals.

U-Shaped Kitchen

What it is: Kitchen wraps around three sides, creating an enclosed cooking area. Rare in caravans due to space requirements but found in some larger vans and motorhomes.

The advantage: Maximum bench and storage space. Everything is within arm’s reach. Feels like a home kitchen scaled down.

The downside: Consumes significant floor space. Only practical in vans over 22 feet. Can feel enclosed and block traffic flow through the van.

Best for: Serious cooks in large caravans who prioritise kitchen functionality above all else.

Rear Kitchen

What it is: Kitchen positioned at the rear of the van, often opening toward the door or an external awning area.

The advantage: Connects indoor and outdoor cooking. Can serve as an extension of the outdoor living area. Keeps cooking smells and heat at the far end of the van from the bedroom.

The downside: Reduces rear storage options (tunnel boot space). The rear of the van gets the most movement during towing, so cupboard contents are more likely to shift and rattle.

Best for: People who cook outdoors frequently and want a seamless indoor-outdoor kitchen experience.

What Actually Matters In A Caravan Kitchen

Bench space. The single most important kitchen feature. You need enough flat surface to chop, prep, and plate. A kitchen that looks spacious with nothing on the bench feels very different when the cutting board, a pot, and ingredients are all competing for room. Test it mentally with a real meal scenario.

Proximity to the door. Carrying heavy grocery bags from the car to the kitchen is a daily occurrence. A kitchen near the entrance door reduces the carry distance and prevents tracking dirt through the living area.

Ventilation. A window or rangehood above the stovetop prevents the van filling with cooking smells and steam. Essential for any layout. If the van doesn’t have it, budget for installing a 12V rangehood.

Storage. Overhead cupboards above the bench, drawers below, a pantry cupboard, and spice storage. Check the drawers have catches (so they don’t fly open while towing) and the cupboards are deep enough for actual kitchen items.