A Galley Kitchen is set up with two rows of units separated by a passage, taking its name from the confined food prep areas on ships known as galleys. This layout is commonly chosen when space is tight, as it provides more storage and prep surfaces compared to open space. It’s suitable for long and narrow kitchen areas, like those in smaller homes or apartments where space is limited.
By implementing smart design choices, you can turn your Galley Kitchen from a basic cooking space into a stylish and practical centerpiece of your home. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current kitchen or build a new one, it’s not that hard to find just the idea that works for you.
Different Sized Galley Kitchen Ideas
Extended Galley Kitchens Designs
This style of galley kitchen is defined by its lengthened layout. It commonly includes two lengthy parallel counters running along the narrow walls of the kitchen space. Extended galley kitchens work well for bigger households or those passionate about cooking who require plenty of counter space and storage.
Spacious Galley Kitchen Layout
A broad galley kitchen design is characterized by its shorter length and more expansive area. This design typically presents a lengthier counter along one wall, accompanied by an island or secondary counter on the opposite side. The extra room provides more storage possibilities and the option for additional seating or workspace.
Connected Galley Kitchens
This type of design includes an open layout, often with one wall taken out to establish a more spacious and interconnected ambiance. The open-plan style enables natural light to fill the area, generating a bright and airy atmosphere. It also facilitates socializing and effortless movement between various parts of the home.
Dual Galley Kitchen
A double galley kitchen has two parallel counters on each side of a central work aisle. This arrangement is well-suited for larger households or those who frequently host guests. The twin sides and ample space allow multiple individuals to work in the kitchen simultaneously without feeling confined or crowded.
Design Ideas For Gally Kitchens
- Monochrome Galley Kitchen Makeover
Many galley kitchens are on the smaller side, and the predominant use of white in their design can sometimes contribute to a cramped feeling. The abundance of white, especially in limited spaces, can also give off a chilly vibe, exacerbated by the play of shadows. To counter this, a simple yet effective solution is introducing a black-and-white colour scheme to transform the space.
Incorporating black elements alongside the white visually expands the kitchen. The strategic placement of black accents, whether in cabinetry, countertops, or appliances, creates a balanced and modern aesthetic.
- Marble Galley Kitchen Worktops Hertfordshire
In contemporary homes with compact kitchens, marble-inspired countertops can impart a sense of luxury. They create an upscale atmosphere even if the installation was done on a budget. Their opulence transcends any cost considerations.
- Vibrant Hues and Patterns for a Lively Galley Kitchen
Small spaces can burst with personality if you infuse them with bold colors and lively patterns, and your galley kitchen is no exception. Draw inspiration from the energetic vibes of bright blues and dynamic patterns to transform your compact culinary haven into a lively and expressive hub.
- Enhance Your Galley Kitchen with Stylish Floor Tiles
To create a sense of spaciousness in the aisle of your gallery kitchen, consider the impact of chic floor tiles. Let’s say the timeless herringbone pattern.
The classic pattern, with its distinctive V-shaped arrangement, introduces a stylish element and gives off the illusion of a wider and more open pathway. There can’t be anything better than this within the small, confined space of a galley kitchen.
- Tiny Galley Kitchens
Unlike the conventional kitchen design with openings on both sides, some feature a dead-end layout while maintaining the key characteristics of this style.
An inventive approach to enhance a tiny galley kitchen involves having the counters only on one side. However, with only one row, your worktop space may be limited. To optimize functionality, consider creating distinct zones for food prep, serving, and cleanup, often organized around the key elements of the hob, sink, and refrigerator.
Regardless of your room size, aim to limit the mix of colors and textures to two or maybe three, covering walls, floors, ceilings, and cabinets. Keep in mind that changing wall colors is more budget-friendly in the long run compared to replacing and installing new cabinets. If you’re unsure, sticking to neutral colors for your kitchen cabinets might be the most economical choice.
- Revitalize Your Kitchen with a Playful Rug
Even in galley style kitchens, a simple addition like a long, narrow rug placed in the middle can work wonders in bringing everything together.
Choosing the right rug for your galley kitchen involves considering both aesthetics and practicality. Opt for a rug that complements the overall theme of your kitchen while also providing a comfortable surface for standing and working.
- Skip Upper Cabinets
In the quest to make your galley kitchen feel more open and less cavernous, consider a strategic approach to cabinet placement. Whether you’re in the midst of a renovation or planning for a new kitchen, cutting down on tall cabinets is a super good idea. To achieve this, experts suggest consolidating vertical storage in one designated area.
A practical solution is grouping the refrigerator and pantry, creating a centralized storage hub.
- Mix Cabinet Styles
Consider an arrangement where one side boasts a crisp and clean look with bright whites, while the opposite side introduces warmth through the use of rich wood tones and the elegance of black marble.
This mix-and-match strategy not only transforms your kitchen aesthetically but also allows you to play with the natural light, creating varied visual focal points. The result is a harmonious blend of styles that adds character and personality to your kitchen. So, when planning your cabinetry, dare to mix it up—bright whites, warm wood, and sleek black marble—creating a dynamic and visually appealing kitchen that combines practicality with a touch of individuality.
- Right-Size Your Appliances
Design experts stress the importance of maintaining material consistency and minimizing breaks in the galley kitchen. An effective strategy is opting for a cooktop paired with a wall oven beneath it, seamlessly integrated into the cabinets rather than a slide-in range. The emphasis here is on creating an uninterrupted visual flow.
To achieve a more integrated and furniture-like appearance, designers recommend incorporating as many panel-ready appliances as possible. This contributes to a streamlined look and also blurs the line between kitchen necessities and furniture elements. Another suggestion is downsizing your appliances, even considering a 24-inch fridge. This compact size proves to be practical and space-saving.
For very small galley kitchens designers propose appliances with French doors that are a good idea. They offer a more flexible placement without requiring excessive space for a large fridge door swing.
- Minimize Clutter in Your Kitchen
Efficiently utilizing the limited floor plan of your galley kitchen involves an approach to keeping things off the counter. The key is to maximize space by incorporating built-in items and minimizing countertop clutter. Instead of placing a microwave on the counter, consider a microwave drawer to free up valuable workspace.
To further declutter, invest in tall storage options; stow away items that aren’t used daily or are bulkier.
- Illuminate Wih Proper Galley Kitchen Lighting
Beyond the practicality of task lighting, there are numerous opportunities to enhance the overall ambiance of the kitchen. The absence of pendant lights over an island doesn’t limit your lighting options. Instead, you can introduce decorative fixtures on the ceiling to bring the entire space together.
Further, you have the chance to create a jewel box effect with thoughtfully placed ceiling lighting. This goes further than mere functionality and adds a touch of grace to the kitchen’s aesthetic. However, opt for fixtures that feel less utilitarian.
- Choose Cabinets Without Handles
If you want to maximize space in a small floor plan room, go for a kitchen with cabinets that don’t have handles. Thanks to advancements in push-open and close doors, you can now have cabinets without handles on both the walls and the base. Additionally, stone or wood floors are a practical choice for galley kitchens, adding a textured effect to the space.
- Rethink Your Color Palette
To make a long, narrow kitchen, look better, use light colors to create a more open feel and maximize the impact of available natural light. Opt for blues with yellow or grey undertones, avoiding red undertones that can lead to a moodier purple hue. Consider shades like sky blue, duck egg, and soft teal. Choose polished countertops and kitchen backsplashes in light tones to reflect light effectively. Keep the flooring in darker shades, and go for a warm white on the walls and ceiling. This gradual transition from dark to light is a proven method to balance out elongated rooms.
Experimenting with colours is one of the best ideas if you want to update your small galley kitchen ideas on a budget.
- Victorian Ideas for Galley Kitchen
Victorian galley kitchens are envisioned as charming and lively spaces that embody luxurious style. Plush barstools can transform your granite worktops Hertfordshire into an inviting spot for drinks or snacks. Beveled glass cupboards, open shelving, and exposed pipes balance rich textures, creating an airy ambiance. Crystal chandeliers highlight polished metal fittings, while ornate details, hanging copper pots, and dark wood add tactile delights. Deeply colored accents that complement well-proportioned patterned tiles contribute to a jewel-box-like atmosphere. Placing a narrow butcher block between the stove and sink brings all elements together, serving as the heart of the space.
- Flow with Curved-Edge Cabinets
Curved-edge kitchen cabinetry comes in handy when dealing with a tight corner or the entrance to a small kitchen, where a straight edge might feel obstructive. Curves, in any shape, have a way of guiding the eye through space, preventing abrupt halts.
These curved-edge cabinets also work well to soften a rigid layout, similar to how a circular dining table adds movement to a square room. There’s a certain ‘premium’ quality to curved cabinets, likely because they come with a slightly higher cost, imparting a sense of luxury and personality to the space.
- Fit in a Seating Spot
Consider adding a seating area in a narrow galley kitchen. There’s often room for a small dining table or a mini breakfast bar at the end of a row of units.
Opt for compact, space-saving furniture that doesn’t occupy too much floor space. A small, circular bistro-style table is more space-efficient than a square or rectangular design. Alternatively, think about a gateleg table that can be folded up when not in use, or a wall-mounted drop-leaf table that neatly tucks against a wall.
- Ditch Cabinets for Open Shelves
Replace large wall units with a continuous row of open shelving on one side of your galley kitchen. Having wall-to-wall units on both sides of the galley can make it feel like a narrow corridor, creating a cramped and enclosed atmosphere.
Install the shelving just above the kitchen splashback for a tidy look and a space to showcase decorative kitchen items. Coordinating the splashback color with the countertops will result in a sleek, uninterrupted finish that visually pushes the walls back. Opt for a light, reflective color to enhance the perception of spaciousness.
- Expand Your Space with a Side Extension
Want to change your galley kitchen’s floor plan a little? Side return extensions coupled with galley kitchen ideas make for a winning combination. The additional space gained by extending to the side provides enough room for a single or double galley kitchen layout, along with additional living space that can be used for a dining table or seating area.
A lengthy row of floor-to-ceiling units along one wall maximizes storage space and integrates appliances while preserving a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors. In the center, a longline island offers ample countertop space for food preparation and acts as a divider between the dining/living areas without obstructing valuable light.
- Colour and Texture Using Kitchen Wallpaper
Introducing wallpaper into the kitchen can be a lovely touch, especially in smaller spaces like galley kitchens, where the design plays a crucial role.
Opting for a limited colour palette can give the effect of taller walls, creating a sense of spaciousness in the room. It’s advisable to choose ditsy prints or small-scale patterns for the same reason. Nature-inspired motifs, such as florals, leaves, or berries, can bring a refreshing touch to your kitchen while maintaining an elegant appearance.
- A Tiled Splashback
Increase the width of your galley kitchen by opting for longline kitchen splashback ideas that visually elongate the space. Utilizing herringbone format wall tiles creates lines that guide the eye outward and along, giving the splashback a longer and wider appearance. Select light-coloured tiles with a glossy finish to reflect light and enhance the sense of spaciousness even more.
Ending Notes
Whichever idea you decide to go with, know that Slabs & Stones will be right here. And we will keep offering you the best quartz worktops Hertfordshire and a lot more to make your galley kitchen look like the perfect place you want it to be. Order now!
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