How to remodel a galley style kitchen

Refresh your walls with a space-enhancing shade

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. Light, bright neutral colours will make the kitchen feel more spacious. Ideally, paint the ceiling a lighter shade to make the room feel bigger.

Bring the light into your galley kitchen

Bringing light into your galley kitchen will make it feel bigger and will benefit your general wellbeing — exposure to natural light makes us happier human beings.

Consider whether there is the potential to add another kitchen window, make the current window bigger or swap to glass door/s, if possible. Another option could be to knock an adjoining wall down, bringing in more light that way.

If you have curtains, heavy roman blinds or shutters, switch to a simple roller blind to bring some more light into the room.

Focus on your cabinetry and your appliances

Sleek appliances and streamlined cabinets are a must for a galley kitchen:

✔ Your sink area needs to blend with the countertop, with the sink fitted underneath for more counter space. 

✔  Slimline dishwashers are compact and efficient and leave more space for cupboards. 

✔ A bulky kettle doesn’t look good on the kitchen countertop as kettles tend to get scruffy quite quickly. Install a steaming hot water tap for a more elegant and sophisticated look while saving space.

Galley kitchens can feel claustrophobic if they are styled with dark cabinetry and appliances. To make the space feel bigger and more airy, install open shelving or glass-fronted cabinets, but make sure that you don’t create any clutter or overload the cupboards and shelves as this can make a room feel smaller.

Create an open kitchen from your existing gallery space

Open-plan kitchens are often sought-after as they are so practical for entertaining and for family life. If you decide that this is what you want to do, seek professional advice to find out if the wall/s you need to knock down are load-bearing. If they are, the wall/s can still be removed by a professional, but it will be much costlier as steel beams will be needed to replace the support. You will also need to factor in the cost of skip hire as well as the labour costs, as there will be a substantial amount of rubble.

FAQ:

Galley kitchens can be highly functional spaces and a handy place to cook. You just need to consider every inch of space. To make your galley kitchen more functional, consider:

• Utilising the space above cabinets
• Adding a breakfast bar
• Putting up hooks
• Using window sills as shelves
• Making the most of available space — people forget the wall space above windows! 

How much does it cost to remodel a galley kitchen?

In the UK, it costs around £6,000 to remodel a galley kitchen. But it is possible to buy and fit a new kitchen for less with IKEA.
 

How do you brighten a galley kitchen?

If you have limited natural light, the best way to brighten a galley kitchen is to install plenty of lights — on the ceiling and under cupboards (floor and wall) and over worktops. You can also get illuminated LED kitchen splashbacks. If you are into a bit of bling, there are even sparkling splashbacks and countertops on the market!