A Little Change Goes A Long Way In Galley Kitchen Remodeling

There is no better way to increase the functional and esthetic value of a Kitchen area than with a few new add-ons or minor changes with galley kitchen remodeling.

The purpose of a galley kitchen is generally confined to food preparation and is a small space in the home. It accommodates a refrigerator, stove and sink to make up the cook’s workstation, allowing each component to be reached within a few steps. Though it facilitates convenience for the chef, it can also become a claustrophobic place to work in. Creating a more airy and pleasant work environment for a galley kitchen does not necessarily mean breaking of walls or spending large sums of money to remodel; in fact, many issues of working in this small space can be solved with minor adjustments on a low budget.

Perhaps the most important areas to focus on when remodeling galley kitchens are storage and workspace. To maximize these spaces, the addition of a pantry, countertop containers or kitchen island can be considered. This will increase storage as well as surface space to work more efficiently in your galley kitchen.

A kitchen island can either be constructed into your galley kitchen or added by making use of a portable island when remodeling. The latter option is more suited to smaller galley kitchens that require flexibility in their design. Portable kitchen islands are available on the market in many different designs, and typically feature all the elements that a permanent island offers. This includes cabinets, drawers and other pull-out storage units for cookware and cutlery. The surface of the portable island can double as a bar space for guests or household member when it is not being used for food preparation.

A permanent kitchen island costs more to install but is generally more beneficial in terms of utility and efficiency. With a permanent structure, the island can accommodate a stove or sink to increase functionality and efficiency in your work triangle. When opting for a kitchen island with these permanent add-ons, bear in mind that this is suitable for galley kitchens with more floor space, and the installation requires plumbing and electrical work which may or may not fall within your budget. If the numbers are in your favor, a permanent kitchen island could solve all your storage and work efficiency troubles.

Another useful galley kitchen remodeling idea is to include a kitchen peninsula to the area. As opposed to a kitchen island, which does not always provide the utility and additional storage one would hope for, particularly in a small galley kitchen, a peninsula, could be the answer. It is an ‘L’ shaped structure, much like an island, one end of which is attached to a wall of the kitchen. The overall design of a peninsula helps create a more airy environment in the galley kitchen and some designs also provide more storage space than islands.

Choosing between a kitchen island and peninsula will come down to the amount of floor space you have at your disposal and the required storage space for kitchen supplies.