Galley kitchens are efficient and practical. They make the most out of a small space in a city apartment or townhouse (or, of course, on a ship). Up until now, they have filled this need, but they aren’t usually at the top of the list when a choice of kitchen layout is available. Awkward manoeuvring past housemates and body contortions to get to the fridge come to mind. The very mention of a galley kitchen can make some feel anxious and look for a sledgehammer to take to the nearest wall.
But that’s changing. The trend is now to declutter and move away from cavernous kitchen cupboards heaving with old-fashioned appliances you never use. It’s now all about streamlining life with a contemporary galley kitchen or in-line kitchen. Many people may have grown up with a larger, chaotic kitchen and are looking for style and efficiency. Plus, galley kitchens cost less, so if you’re planning a kitchen refit, you can focus on how to decorate a galley kitchen, saving the bulk of your budget for smart appliances and stylish hardware.
What are the advantages of a galley kitchen?
To give the galley kitchen the credit it deserves, let’s look at some of the advantages that can often be overlooked:
✔ The galley layout can create a central kitchen area within a large, open space
✔ You can easily design separate zones within the galley to aid workflow, i.e. cooking/ food prep /putting away/ clean-up
✔ There is plenty of storage space
✔ The parallel kitchen worktops can be any length
✔ It’s easy to clean
✔ You’ve got to love the high level of efficiency when cooking — multi-task without moving too much!
✔ The galley area can be isolated from the rest of the floor plan, hiding mess away from guests
✔ Modern design principles will work well: built-in technology and high-tech fixtures
How can you maximise space with a galley kitchen layout?
Galley kitchens are typically small in size, so maximising the space in this layout takes careful planning. Here are three space-maximising tips:
1. Vertical storage
Wall cabinets add extra storage space, but look to hang cabinets on one wall only, leaving the workspace on the other side open. Wall cabinets on either side of a galley kitchen can be too enclosed, making the space feel and look smaller.
2. Minimalist style
A jumbled, busy galley kitchen can also feel claustrophobic. When remodelling a galley kitchen, opt for smooth, fitted, glossy kitchen units with no awkward gaps. These surfaces reflect the light and create an illusion of more space. Handleless cupboard doors add to the sleekness and you won’t be jolted back by catching your clothes on door knobs as you walk by (is there anything more annoying?!).
3. Seating
You might not have considered seating in a galley kitchen, but you might have space you can utilise. A bistro table, breakfast bar, or kitchen island on wheels could sit at the end of the units. Alternatively, if you have a wall area at the end of the kitchen, consider a wall-mounted folding table.
How to decorate and update a galley kitchen
There are limitless ways to decorate and update a galley kitchen. Check out the ideas below for inspiration before you get started and consider all you can do with storage, colours and accessories to create a practical and stylish kitchen space.
High-quality appliances
Ideally, choose built-in appliances for your galley kitchen. This streamlines the design for a clean and simple look. To keep the kitchen surfaces clear, retire your old kettle and opt for an instant hot water tap that will save you time and money and you can show off to guests.
When choosing a built-in fridge/freezer, conceal both with one single door so that you avoid horizontal lines. Also, choose sleek appliances with fuss-free controls that are flush on the appliance so that your line of vision down the galley is clear. And a smelly food caddy will cramp your minimalist style: instead fit an in-sink food waste disposer to save space and feel good about keeping food out of landfill sites.
Clever colour choices
A single colour on both walls and units will mean that the eye sees it as one continuous space, opening up the kitchen and making it feel bigger. You don’t have to go for white. Pale grey and sage green will also make the space feel lighter and brighter.
You can really have some fun with colour choice in galley kitchens — patterned flooring with dark units, bright bold units, Scandi wood…Browse interior design apps like Houzz for ideas.
Open shelving and storage
Heavy wall units can create an oppressing corridor feel to a galley kitchen. You can use open shelving for storage instead. Be careful not to overload the shelving or the clutter will also make the kitchen feel smaller. You can buy baskets, trays, jars and boxes to neatly line up on the shelves for extra storage and style. Carefully consider what shelves to put up to match your decor: industrial metal, Scandinavian light wood, rattan, dark rustic wood and LED floating shelves are just a few of the options.
Stand-out accessories and utensils
The aim is for a galley kitchen with style and function. And there are so many desirable accessories you can add to your kitchen to make life easier and that bit more stylish. If you don’t have the space for a coffee machine, take a look at the sleek Smeg 50s-style retro milk frother for your morning coffee. Or the multi-tasking Kenwood Chef Patissier XL with inbuilt scales and bowl warming. Joseph Joseph are a favourite go-to for beautifully designed and functional accessories and utensils. Their chopping board ‘library’ is another good-looking space-saver.
Bring in some plants
Plants instantly add style to a room and can purify the air too. Surrounding yourself with greenery is also said to help your creativity; perfect when you’re getting inventive in the kitchen!
Many plants are able to grow well without much light, so don’t worry if you don’t have a south-facing kitchen window. If you don’t have a window at all, you can install handy LED grow lights under kitchen cabinets that won’t heat up your kitchen surface. Plants to start with include:
- Herbs — grow them and then add them to your cooking
- The African spear plant — so striking for a contemporary kitchen, and the bonus is that it doesn’t need much water (if they can survive through an African drought, they can surely survive in your busy kitchen!)
- Pothos — perfect for hanging baskets, which don’t take up valuable kitchen surface space
Change up the lighting
Galley kitchens need plenty of light or they can feel confined. You always need task lighting in key areas (over the stove and food preparation areas etc.), but also consider statement lighting, which will add a unique style to your galley kitchen. Take a look at pendant lighting to match the rectangular shape of the galley like a long luxor lantern. Or consider a pendant or modern chandelier in the centre of the galley. Alternatively, you can bring in natural light with clerestory windows on the ceiling to raise the height and draw the eye upwards.
Click here for more ideas for decorating a small kitchen.
Related Post
How to remodel a galley style kitchen
A fresh coat of paint can really transform a kitchen and is often the first step in remodelling a galley kitchen. Not only will a coat of paint on the walls brighten the kitchen, but you can use chalk paint, such as Frenchchic, on the kitchen cupboard doors.
Galley Kitchen Design Ideas
At Insinkerator, our galley kitchen design ideas will help you to make the most of your kitchen, no matter the size. View our inspiration pages for more.
