Best galley kitchen designs
14 Best Galley Kitchen Design Ideas
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Make the most of your small space with these stylish ideas.
By Laurren Welch
Alec Hemer
Galley kitchens can have a bad rap, depending on your style preference. A hallmark of older homes, the compact cook spaces—distinguished by their narrow layout and parallel counters (they were named after the narrow kitchens on ships!)—can actually be quite functional, not to mention beautiful. (And updating a galley kitchen is far easier and more affordable than renovating the multi-island kitchens that have dominated Pinterest over the last few years!) That said, figuring out just how to maximize such a small footprint can be very tricky. It's natural to think you may need to steer clear of color or keep patterns to a minimum to prevent the walls from closing in—or that upper cabinets are a no-go in a narrow space—but the truth is, you can get away with almost anything in a galley kitchen. Really!
Whether you're looking for new kitchen paint color ideas, want to incorporate a 2020 kitchen trend, or stick to a farmhouse kitchen style to match the rest of your home, it's all possible. That's why we rounded up 14 of our favorite pint-sized galley kitchen design ideas to give you inspiration for how to remodel your space. Whether you're building a new home with a galley kitchen, renovating an older one, or just want to make a few stylish tweaks to your room's current design layout, we hope these chic (and functional!) kitchen decor ideas help you head in that direction.
Don't forget to take a look at this article for DIY tips on how to paint kitchen cabinets too!
Sarah Sherman Samuel
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California-Cool Galley Kitchen
One way to make your galley kitchen feel less like a hallway? Open it up! And no, you don't need to demo an entire wall to do so, as Sarah Sherman Samuel proves here in this serene California cook space.
See more at Sarah Sherman Samuel.
Studio McGee
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Patterned Floor Galley Kitchen
Another way to reduce that hallway feeling is to break up your materials. Here, a patterned floor and dark base cabinets ground the space, while the upper cabinets in a lighter color draw the eye up toward the ceiling.
See more at Studio McGee.
Front + Main
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White and Wood Galley Kitchen
Light wood cabinets add a jolt of warmth in a space where white would have felt too cold next to the room's gray floors. Black hardware and fixtures pepper in a little drama.
See more at Front + Main.
BHDM Design
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Moody Galley Kitchen
Think you have to steer clear of dark hues in small spaces? That's not necessarily true. Enveloped by white walls and floors, a wall of dark cabinets, countertops, and tile make a statement without overwhelming the modestly sized space.
See more at BHDM Design.
Curio Design Studio
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Bright Green Galley Kitchen
This happy space by Curio Design Studio proves that even the tiniest of kitchens can be an eat-in kitchen. (We love the cheery green accent cabinets and storage built into the booth seating!)
See more of this home at Curio Design Studio.
Jennifer Muirhead Interiors
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Bright White Galley Kitchen
No matter your square footage, a bright white kitchen is always a good idea. By painting the back wall a slightly warmer hue, the eye is naturally drawn to the room's beautiful arch and breakfast nook.
See more at Jennifer Muirhead Interiors.
Alex Hayden
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Rustic-Traditional Galley Kitchen
Cabinets, countertops, and walls in crisp white give this rustic space a clean, serene feel, while large wide-plank wood floors ground the space with warmth.
See more at Hoedemaker Pfeiffer.
Kismet House
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Modern-Meets-Traditional Galley Kitchen
Think you have to keep finishes and accessories to a minimum in a galley kitchen? Think again! This gorgeous space by Erin of Kismet House proves you can mix and match in a small space without creating chaos. (We especially love that she used two different—but complementary!—tiles on either side of the kitchen.)
See more at Kismet House.
Instagram/By Grace Gordon
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Light and Airy Galley Kitchen
If you're blessed with high ceilings in your galley kitchen, you may be tempted to use as much vertical space as possible. But as designer Grace Gordon proves, forgoing upper cabinets in favor of keeping walls open can really make a space feel much larger than it really is.
See more at @GraceArthur.
Alec Hemer
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White, Gray, and Blue Galley Kitchen
Tend to change your mind a lot? Choose a simple, goes-with-anything color palette (like this rustic-chic white-and-gray galley kitchen) and pepper in color with your accessories. (We love the strong wash of blue here, but you could just as easily swap it out for something else when you're in the mood for a change.)
Sweeten
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Two-Toned Galley Kitchen
Love an all-white kitchen, but also love the darker cabinet trend that's been going strong the last year? Go with both! Here, in this two-tone Queens, New York, galley kitchen, white uppers make the space feel much larger than it actually is, while dark lower cabinets in a similar hue to the flooring ground the space.
See more at Sweeten.
Instagram/Moochstyle
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Simple, Clean Galley Kitchen
Sometimes—especially in the case of small spaces—simple really is best. And this charming space by Shayden and Georgia of the New Zealand-based home and lifestyle Instagram account Moochstyle is a great example of that. White flat-front cabinets, countertops, and tile keep the tiny space feeling light and bright, while a small dose of darkness (upper cabinets and hardware) adds a bit of visual interest.
See more at @MoochStyle.
Bromilow Architects
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Sleek and Modern Galley Kitchen
This sleek and sophisticated kitchen makes the most its long, narrow layout with a back wall of floor-to-ceiling cabinets. Housing the majority of appliances along one wall makes it easier for multiple people to navigate the narrow space at once.
See more at Bromilow Architecture.
22 Interiors
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Bright And Bold Galley Kitchen
A bold backsplash tile and patterned flooring? In some spaces it could be too much, but in this Los Angeles kitchen, it's just right. A mix of modern and vintage (or vintage-inspired) fixtures round out the stunning space.
See more at 22 Interiors.
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Laurren Welch Laurren Welch is a freelance editor, writer, and creative who covers lifestyle, interiors, entertaining, fashion, and more.
50 Gorgeous Galley Kitchens And Tips You Can Use From Them
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If you're all set to tackle the installation and decoration of a narrow kitchen, then this set of inspirational kitchen designs should be right up your galley! A galley kitchen is defined by two rows of cabinetry that face one another with a narrow walkway in between. The name is derived from the kitchen area of boats, where space is very limited. The domestic galley kitchen allows a lot of cabinetry to be squeezed into a sliver of culinary space, and can facilitate doors or walkways at either end of the run. It can be completely contained or be part of a larger open plan living space.
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- Visualizer: roomdesignburo
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- Visualizer: Concept Vision
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- Visualizer: Plasterlina
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- Visualizer: PLASTERLINA
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- Designer: 22 Interiors
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- Designer: DHV Architects
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- Designer: Pera Studio
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- Designer: Uncommon Projects
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- Visualizer: Lai Pháp
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- Visualizer: Patricia Castro
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- Visualizer: Andrzej Chomski
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- Source: Kitchens International
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- Designer: Coco & Jack
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- Via: Futurist Architecture
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- Designer: Garrison Hullinger
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- Designer: Indot
- Photographer: Hey!Cheese
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- Source: Gaughan Construction
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- Visualizer: Orkhan Afandiyev
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- Visualizer: Kanstantsin Remez
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- Designer: EAG Studio
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- Visualizer: Michael Temnikov
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- Architect: Artem Tiutiunnyk & Chernova Yuliya
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- Designer: Reiko Feng Shui Design
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- Via: Micasa
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- Visualizer: Anton Medvedev
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- Designer: Brian David Roberts
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- Visualizer: Alex Koretsky
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- Visualizer: Marcin Kasperski
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- Visualizer: Juan Carlos Marmolejo
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- Visualizer: Steve Brown
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- Designer: Lee Edwards
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- Designer: Third Coast Interiors
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- Designer: Debbas Architecture
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- Designer: B Interior
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- Designer: Kate Bendewald
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- Designer: Urban Purpose Interiors
- Via: Houzz
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- Designer: Architecture In Formation
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- Designer: Void Inc
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- Source: Domusnova
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- Designer: Granit
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- Designer: REALarchitecture & MimANYstudio
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- Visualizer: Paglialonga Studio
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- Architect: Fabrizia Luciano
- Visualizer: Jakub Komrska
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- Visualizer: Trịnh Phương
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- Via: Apartment Therapy
- Source: Architectural Digest
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- Visualizer: Alena Fokina
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- Visualizer: Jan Wadim
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- Visualizer: Project A01 Architects
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- Source: Dwell
Still hungry for more kitchen designs? Try these:
50 Stunning Modern Kitchen Island Designs
50 Lovely L-Shaped Kitchen Designs And Tips You Can Use From Them
50 Wonderful One Wall Kitchens And Tips You Can Use From Them
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25 Stylish Galley Kitchen Designs
These galley kitchens feature a variety of kitchen styles including traditional, modern and contemporary.
Because galley kitchens often have a narrow space between two walls, they can be efficient for cooking and cooking. Named after the "galley" aboard a ship, these types of kitchens feature straight lines with an emphasis on vertical cabinets and appliances facing each other.
In the image above, unlike most galley kitchens, this kitchen has slightly more space between two parallel counters, improving workflow and allowing multiple people to use the kitchen space. The design is a pleasing combination of light and soft tones - oatmeal walls with white accents paired with white kitchen cabinets and hardtop gray counters. It also features white beveled subway tiles for a back splash to add a little more texture, and dark walnut flooring to help lighter surfaces stand out. nine0003
In a small kitchen it is important to use as much wall space as possible for furniture and household appliances. Here are some galley kitchen remodeling ideas and tips to help you make the most of your limited space:
This kitchen has a bolder and more masculine appeal thanks to the darker colors. This is a transitional look using simplistic paneled kitchen doors in a combination of gray and white. The floors are also dark, solid dark walnut plank, and the countertop helps balance out the dark colors by using off-white granite and white subway tile for the back. nine0003
White kitchen galley
Kitchen galleys with white cabinets will brighten up the space. This kitchen looks bright and refreshing, standing out well against the dark mahogany floors. All traditional style kitchen cabinets are finished in white, giving them a clean and fresh look. They are paired with an elegant marble slab for the top and back. The presence of a lot of white elements gives this kitchen a light yet elegant look. nine0003
Clean, sharp edges give this galley kitchen a fresh, modern look that is typical of contemporary kitchens. By choosing a simple gray and white color scheme, the result is good contrast, but not too harsh. All kitchen cabinets are white, while the countertops and backboard are dark grey.
The black and white color scheme is very popular in small kitchens, as white helps create the visual illusion of more space. French-inspired kitchen cabinets give this whimsical kitchen a touch of elegance and timeless appeal, while black granite countertops and 3D wicker tiles on the back give it a welcome modern update. Installing cabinets with glass doors is a great way to create a sense of depth and help the space look bigger. A sink located under the window allows you to take in the views and helps the room feel much bigger while cleaning. nine0003
For small kitchens like this one, white is a great choice for finishing as it helps a small space look bigger. The cabinets used in this kitchen are paneled for a traditional look and paired with matte black granite for added contrast. Cream splashback tiles help to add subtle pattern and texture to the space while maintaining the light color scheme of the kitchen.
Modern country style kitchen with white painted solid wood cabinets. He uses matte black granite for his counters and white 90-degree chevron subway tiles for the backsplash. Matching black vintage handles complete the rustic look of this kitchen. A skylight skylight is a great idea for a galley kitchen because it lets in natural light and brightens up the space.
Small galley kitchen
A unique feature of this narrow galley kitchen would be the use of mirrors. With very limited space available, using subway mirror tiles and cabinet doors helps create the illusion of a large kitchen, making it less claustrophobic. The kitchen cabinets are painted bronze gray with a simple panel profile and finished in white marble for a modern look.
This traditional galley kitchen features gray built-in cabinetry with beautiful Diamond White quartz countertops and porcelain stoneware flooring. A large farmhouse sink and French style cabinets give the room real warmth. Pendant lights are a popular choice for lighting kitchens that can bring light where you need it. nine0003
Modern galley kitchen
This house has a unique layout. A small kitchen-galley is located next to the living area and below the raised seating area, in which a built-in wardrobe with a partition was placed between them. The kitchen itself is simple and modern, with white kitchen cabinets, backsplash and countertops creating a crisp and clean look.
The blue-tinted glass used in the back of this all-white modern kitchen adds a welcome splash of color to the space without being too dramatic. Since the walls, cabinets and even countertops are all white, the bold yet soft color of the back is a welcome accent in this contemporary kitchen. nine0003
This kitchen has the best attributes of contemporary kitchen design, creating a clean and sophisticated look. The cabinets are teak laminate framed in aluminum with matching stainless steel handles. For the countertop and backsplash, black granite was the material of choice for a sleek and seamless look. almost makes an invisible black induction cooker.
Another contemporary kitchen design, this kitchen uses modular cabinetry with a laminated finish for a cleaner and more consistent look. The laminate used is a combination of a plain white laminate with a dotted red laminate, framed in aluminum and topped with gray quartz counters. The island galley kitchen has a built-in sink, so you can watch while cleaning or cooking instead of leaning against the wall. nine0003
This galley kitchen has a unique choice of finishes, favoring indigo laminated kitchen cabinets with synthetic granite tops in lilac and purple tones. The result is a bold and fun kitchen space.
This kitchen offers a nice contrast of colors and textures. All cabinets have been laminated in mahogany, paired with cream brown granite countertops and backsplash, as well as glass and stainless steel cabinet doors and a stainless steel hob back. Frosted glass cabinet doors look visually interesting and help lighten up. nine0003
Galley Kitchen Models
This traditional style kitchen, decorated in a modern French style, combines the best attributes of both modern and classic design styles. Traditional kitchen cabinet profiles give the narrow kitchen an elegant look, while the slate blue paint and white solid countertop give it a contemporary edge, creating a fun and timeless kitchen design. Cabinets in this narrow galley kitchen reach to the ceiling, providing as much storage space as possible in this limited hallway space. nine0003
Lovely modern transitional style kitchen with a great combination of colors and finishes. The light maple floor and light gray walls set the mood and pair perfectly with the gray painted kitchen cabinets. Both parallel counters are made of salt and pepper granite paired with small subway tiles to complete the look, while large windows help light up the kitchen making it bright and inviting.
Despite its small size, this kitchen has everything you need and even more, even enough space for an oven. The kitchen cabinets are made from solid mahogany, giving them a deep red hue, and finished with black granite for an elegant contrast.
A contemporary kitchen that aims for a more rustic look to match the overall look of its interior space. The floors are red brick and the walls are clean white to balance that out. The kitchen uses solid teak wood cabinets paired with dark gray granite countertops and cream ceramic backsplash tiles. The kitchen island serves not only as an additional countertop, but also as a partition and a bar that separates the kitchen from the living room. nine0003
Smaller galley kitchen designs benefit from adding texture to the floor and backsplash to add character and depth. Lighter floor and wall surfaces make it easier to use bolder, darker colors for kitchen cabinets, which is why this galley kitchen uses a dark wenge finish for its cabinets. To add contrast, white soapstone was the material of choice for the countertop, while beige glass subway tiles were used for the back. nine0003
Rustic brick walls create a great rough texture and contrast with the smooth, clean surfaces of this contemporary galley kitchen. For maximum effect, white base cabinets are placed against the brick walls with a white marble top, creating a great contrast of textures. Parallel to this are solid teak cabinets topped with sleek white marble counters and splashback, and white top cabinets.
Despite its small size, this kitchen manages to fit everything you need. To help with the small space, reflective materials were favored to give the illusion of more space. The light maple laminate of the cabinets is glossy, while the granite countertop and backboard are also glossy to help reflect light.
Large windows that offer great views of the street bring a rustic, natural feel to this kitchen, despite the more modern design. The kitchen cabinets are simply laminated with white pebbles for a matte effect and topped with dark red granite to add a natural tone to the space. nine0003
One wall galley kitchen
This small galley kitchen is elegant and attractive. With its traditional dark walnut cabinetry profile, it gives the room an upmarket, classic look. Black granite was the material of choice for the countertop, and a mirror was used as a backsplash to help visually expand the small kitchen space.
This kitchen features the elegance of traditional kitchens and the clean and crisp lines of modern kitchens. Solid wood cabinets in a dark wenge finish contrast sharply with the white hard top and marble backsplash. A simple, flat profile has been used on the table top for a more modern look, while gold knobs/knobs add a retro-modern touch to the space, making it more interesting. nine0003
Kitchen-galley - ideal for a small area
Small narrow space - what is it, punishment, or a great field for design ideas to fly? The kitchen-galley will be the best option in the cramped circumstances of a small area of \u200b\u200bthe room.
What is a galley kitchen
If the room is narrow and small, then experts advise to equip the kitchen in two rows running parallel to each other, with a passage between them. Such a design of a place for cooking is customary on sea vessels, where conditions do not allow you to “swing”, and you have to save every centimeter of space. This is where the name "kitchen-galley" comes from. There are two types of such premises:
- Passage, when there is a door or a doorway to another room at the end of the room. This method of arranging space allows you to create a kitchen anywhere if there is not enough space for it in the apartment - in the hall, corridor, other narrow and long rooms.
- Impassable when the end of the kitchen is a wall or window. If you have enough space, you can create a U-shaped kitchen, saving and taking into account every scrap of free space.
Both galley kitchen methods are widely used by designers because they have their own distinct advantages. nine0003
Advantages and disadvantages of galley kitchens
Many apartments, especially old ones, do not require space in the kitchen. Design of galley kitchens allows to solve the following tasks:
- to make available all the necessary kitchen devices and appliances - stove, sink, refrigerator, without cluttering up the space;
- to help equip the kitchen in any chosen place, if the necessary communications are available;
- arrange in any style; nine0003
- make two rows running parallel to each other, of different lengths, so that there is room for the dining area;
- do not litter the room, make it as spacious and free as possible.
The disadvantages of galley kitchens include the following disadvantages:
- The layout must take into account safety requirements. The width of the passage should be about 1.2 m, so that households can freely pass by the person preparing food without the risk of getting burned by hot food or drinks. Too large a distance between rows, more than 1.8 m, is considered not ergonomic, since it will take a lot of time to move from one cabinet to another. Aisle between rows less than 90 cm is prohibited if more than one person lives in the apartment.
- Suitable only for small kitchens, large spaces will look out of place.
- The upper layout, when all the shelves and cabinets are moved to the ceiling, can visually clutter up the room, make it low.
- Cabinets and shelves are made narrow to save space. To fit a refrigerator, dishwasher and washing machine into such a galley kitchen, you will have to look for narrow models that will not stand out from the general range. The stove in such kitchens is also small, usually having only two burners instead of four. nine0003
If you take a thoughtful approach to space planning, you can independently create and implement a project of a room where everything will stand in its place, household members will not interfere with each other, and the kitchen will be beautiful, functional and ergonomic.
Placement of the working triangle
The main point in planning any kitchen is the placement of three main items in it - a sink, a stove and a refrigerator. They should create a "working triangle" in which you can freely turn around and reach for the right thing. For walk-through galley kitchens, the solution of this issue is especially important so that a child passing by the stove does not get burned by the food being prepared. The ideal would be to place the stove, sink and main work area in one row, and the refrigerator in another, opposite them. Such a layout will maximally protect households from the likelihood of injury when in contact with the hot surface of pots or pans. nine0003
Length of rows in galley kitchen
When every centimeter counts, one row in the kitchen can be made shorter than the other to accommodate a small dining table or bar counter in the freed up space. This layout is a great way to separate the working and dining areas, with minimal free space. A short row should contain minimally traumatic items - a refrigerator, a microwave oven, cabinets and drawers with rarely used utensils. nine0003
Using a window sill or end wall
A galley kitchen is often a narrow space with a window at the end. Designers recommend in no case to litter and clutter it up - in a small cramped room there should be as much light and air as possible so that it looks sunny and bright. The window sill area can be used as an additional work or dining surface, and then the galley kitchen will become U-shaped. nine0003
If the room does not have sources of natural light, and the end surface is a blank wall, then it must be decorated. The look of a person who comes to the galley kitchen rests on the wall, and it needs to be decorated with taste. You can hang a clock, a picture, a narrow shelf with decorative beautiful dishes on it, put an unusual waste bin or a stepladder. Sometimes the end surface serves as a continuation of the main workspace; cabinets and shelves with kitchen utensils are placed on it. With this method of arranging free space, you need to make sure that the room does not look like cluttered, cluttered furniture. nine0003
Cupboards and shelves in the galley kitchen
In a small area, cabinets and shelves are best made not hinged, but retractable, especially those located on the lower tier - this will make it much easier to get to kitchen utensils and utensils. On the top tier, designers suggest placing open shelving in order to minimize the chance of hitting your head on the door to a person who enters the kitchen. It is best to equip drawers with a push-to-open system, without handles. This will help to further save space, make the kitchen stylish and comfortable. nine0003
Color design of the space
One of the main drawbacks of the galley kitchen is that it is likely to be cluttered with necessary items and utensils. To create the impression of freedom, large space, designers recommend painting furniture facades, walls, ceilings in light colors.