Designs for galley style kitchens
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.
24 Galley Kitchen Ideas - Photo of Cool Galley Kitchens
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by Katie Holdefehr
updated Jun 1, 2021
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Squeezing past roommates to get to the fridge or arguing with your partner about where to store the mixer may be what you think of when you hear galley kitchen. These spaces are infamous for their narrow walkways and, oftentimes, lack of space, but if your home includes this style, don’t fret, there are quite a few surprising ways to configure it to make it just as spectacular as any other cooking space.
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If you’re unfamiliar, the layout of a galley kitchen typically looks more like a hallway. Unlike a one-wall kitchen, most traditional galley kitchens consist of two walls lining a narrow walkway that flow into a separate room on both sides; some have dead ends and others have doors leading to pantries or even breakfast nooks.
While basic galley kitchens are a staple of standard rental apartments, they can be taken to another level with everything from eye-catching backsplashes and patterned floors to statement lighting and clever storage ideas.
Below, a variety of galley kitchens that prove these layouts are far more workable than you might think.
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Modern galley
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Light and bright
This galley kitchen has light counters and cabinets to open up the space, but isn’t short on character, thanks to a stainless steel backsplash and select cabinets with glass doors.
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Accent tile galley kitchen
One of the coolest parts of this New York City kitchen is how the flooring reflects the Moravian star pendant lamp that hangs right at the end of the aisle. The choice of white cabinetry also helps open up a kitchen style that traditionally lacks space.
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Clean and streamlined kitchen
An abundance of cabinets and drawers is a smart move with galley kitchens. Extra storage means there’s no need to keep appliances and other items out on the countertops, which opens up space in these traditionally narrow kitchens.
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Galley kitchens with bursts of color
A small, white galley kitchen can easily look boring — or even dismal — with the wrong lighting and decor. This Oakland apartment shows how lacing bright colors throughout the space can give it a fun, light-hearted appeal.
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Tiny galley kitchen
While traditional galley kitchens have openings on both sides, there are many that have a dead end, but still contain the same characteristics of this particular style. The mix of additional storage units in the same color palette on the left side of this kitchen gives it quirky character, while still looking unified.
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Pop of color
The light blue cabinet paint adds some personality to this kitchen without making it seem small. Paired with open shelving and lots of natural light, the whole space feels breezy.
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All-white
This space truly is teeny, so going with white cabinetry, a white backsplash, and marble counters was a good move.
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Utilitarian-meets-boho kitchen
Metal appliances and drawers meet patterned floors and wooden accents in this unique Barcelona home. The blend of styles gives plenty of visual interest and widens the space, thanks to the white walls and shelves and the reflective stainless steel.
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Wooden galley kitchen
Wooden panels and a 70s color palette make this quirky kitchen fun to look at and cook in.
It also shows how different accessories can instantly transform a space. Colorful kitchen gadgets and collectibles give this space a very different feel compared to if this were a more minimalist space with all wood and neutral accents.
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Small tile galley kitchen
Sure, this New York City kitchen is small, but it hides it well. The white walls, stainless steel cabinets, bright window, and mirror all contribute to the illusion of more space. The small touches — like the decorative plates and books — make it feel more cozy and homey, rather than cramped.
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Turquoise galley kitchen
Bright, horizontal backsplash tiles in a California bungalow’s kitchen draw the eye down the length of the room, visually elongating it.
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White galley kitchen
Herringbone wooden floors and white tile give this Brooklyn galley kitchen a look that’s certainly Scandi-inspired.
The windows and door provide plenty of light to maintain this kitchen’s bright and airy feel.
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Small galley kitchen
All white walls and a blonde wood countertop make this Los Angeles kitchen feel big enough for prepping and cooking meals. Check out the funky additions of a disco ball, chalkboard, and clock, too.
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Minimal galley kitchen
The shape and layout of the white slab cabinets in this Scandi-inspired kitchen in Toronto toe the line between modern and vintage. The black pulls and minimal artwork are the perfect personal touches to spice it up a bit.
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Boho-inspired kitchen
This galley kitchen in West Hollywood has bohemian vibes, but is also faintly reminiscent of a Tuscan-style cooking space. A mix of patterns and textures give this room plenty of depth.
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Mid-century modern galley
Funky tiles and hints of orange throughout the kitchen of this Ojai, California mid-century home give it a slight 60s tinge that still works. Windows and cream-colored walls and cabinets let in and reflect plenty of light to make the space feel warm and homey.
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Galley kitchen with a dining nook
A floral dining nook is situated at one end of this Los Angeles galley kitchen, making it an unbearably adorable secret hideaway. The floral wallpaper and light color palette is super whimsical.
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Light gray galley
Dark gray tile and light gray marble countertops beautifully frame this Brooklyn galley kitchen. It feels spacious and bright without needing to follow an all white color palette.
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Modern galley kitchen
Dark cabinets — like the ones in this Portland home — can still work in a galley kitchen… as long as there’s plenty of natural lighting and everything else is kept light and airy.
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Glass cabinet galley kitchen
While many galley kitchens aim to hide appliances, food, and other kitchen items, this Upper West Side home uses glass paneled cabinets to show off stunning sets of cups, plates, and utensils that double as décor.
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Retro galley kitchen
A California Hollywood Regency-style home proves that design rules are meant to be broken. The mix of black and mint are dramatic and make for an unforgettable cooking space that doesn’t feel small — no white walls necessary.
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Sleek Galley Kitchen
Flat-faced cabinets provide ample storage in this Washington DC home, which spares precious counter space. Although it’s on the smaller side, light colors keep it from feeling closed in.
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Mid-Century Galley Kitchen
This East Bay, California home is a mid-century dream.
Wooden cabinets and trim keep the style at front and center, but a few touches like the art, wine holder, and cutting board collection bring it up to speed with current times.
Additional reporting by Carolin Lehmann
10 steps to create it
The galley kitchen is a well-known two-row or two-line layout. It is also called parallel. But for now we will use the beautiful name "galley".
Photo: decorhint.com
What you need to know before you start organizing such a galley kitchen? To begin with, it is important to understand how many square meters you have at your disposal. Such a layout is optimal with a room width of at least 220 centimeters - this is exactly what is needed to accommodate two rows of furniture 60 centimeters deep and the minimum allowable hundred-centimeter passage between them.
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pantry adjoining the kitchen.
The main thing is that there are technical possibilities for this. Another interesting option for arranging a galley is to allocate part of the space for it in a studio apartment. Moreover, this can be done both as a forced measure to save space, and to combine the dining and kitchen areas.
Photo: home-designing.com
There are several rules without which you will not be able to equip a classic, that is, the correct galley kitchen. The rules are simple, but you need to remember them:
- provide a working triangle zone - this is an imaginary line between the most important appliances in the kitchen: a refrigerator, stove and sink. You should be able to reach each of these three objects in one step, maximum two;
- popular galley layouts include a sink and refrigerator on one side and a stove on the other;
- open high shelving will help optimize the situation in such a kitchen and most effectively accommodate everything you need;
- it is better to choose light colors of cabinets and wall finishes in order to at least slightly expand this narrow space visually;
- dishwasher and refrigerator can be paneled for a neater appearance;
- deep pull-out drawers will increase the usable amount of space.
Photo: home-designing.com
We told you about the recommendations of the designers, and on our own we will add: any rules can be broken to create a truly original and comfortable kitchen, even if the room is too cramped. In the end, it is you who should be comfortable here and enjoy cooking.
Photo: home-designing.com
And now let's talk in detail about ten steps to create a galley kitchen in different areas of the apartment.
1. Location of items
Ideally, it is better to place the stove, sink and main work surface in the same row, and install the refrigerator opposite. Crowding is the main enemy of such a kitchen. But such a technique will help protect you and your loved ones from injury and burns if someone goes to the refrigerator. Otherwise, there is a risk of accidentally touching a hot pan or pot on the stove. Yes, and it will be more convenient for you to act in a small space without unnecessary gestures.
Photo: home-designing.
com
2. Passage width
Be sure to measure the width and length of your future galley before starting any work. Perhaps you will change your mind about placing the kitchen in this space and think about another option. If the passage between two rows of furniture is less than a meter, you will not be able to freely use the contents of drawers and shelves. Moving here will also be inconvenient. It is better if the width of the passage is from 120 to 150 centimeters. Then your loved ones will be able to pass by you and not hurt anything, fall down or break anything. And you won't be interrupted when you stand at the stove or load the dishwasher.
Photo: home-designing.com
3. Length of rows
If every centimeter counts in your narrow kitchen and you can't arrange two parallel full rows, make one of the rows shorter than the second. So you can carve out more space for a refrigerator, side table or shelving. This will help to slightly expand the too narrow passage.
Photo: decorhint.com
4. Compact Kitchen Appliances
If the manipulation of the rearrangement does not help to accommodate everything you need, you will have to choose more compact appliances: a two-burner stove, a narrow refrigerator, a small dishwasher, a small sink, a shorter work surface.
Photo: home-designing.com
5. Cabinets to the ceiling
A great way to create additional storage space and at the same time hide the air duct in the upper tier. To maintain visual volume in the galley, choose narrow cabinets with matte light doors.
Photo: decorhint.com
6. Drawers instead of hinged cabinets
When arranging the lower tier of kitchen furniture, give up models with hinged doors - you do not have to block the passage with them in an attempt to find the right thing in the far corner of the cabinet.
Photo: home-designing.com
7. Furniture to match the walls
Even if you don't like pure white, which, of course, visually saves space, make at least one wall in the same shade as the kitchen cabinets .
This technique effectively reduces the feeling of clutter.
Photo: home-designing.com
8. Multilevel lighting
Thoughtful lighting scenarios can dramatically change the look of your galley. Naturally, for the better. Do not place a massive chandelier or lamp on the ceiling. Choose small lamps or spots, place them at different levels. Be sure to provide lighting for the cooking area. Furniture lighting will help you quickly find the right item and save you from having to turn on all the lights in the room.
Photo: home-designing.com
9. No door
There is no need to close the door to your galley. There is not much space here, so there is no need to overload the room even more. As a last resort, install a sliding door or decorate the opening with beautiful textiles.
Photo: decorhint.com
10. Carpet on the floor
It may seem like such a small thing, but it can contribute to the effective arrangement of a galley in a narrow space.
Lay a horizontal striped rug in the aisle - it will protect the floor from rubbing and visually push the walls apart.
Photo: home-designing.com
Kitchen design in galley style - compact and mega-practical - Articles - Small Spaces
Equip your kitchen in your apartment like on a cruise ship!
When planning a kitchen design, you often face the problem of how to place cabinets in the interior so that it is not only convenient, but also cozy. And no matter what size it is - large or small, narrow or wide - you want to place kitchen cabinets in such a way that, as they say, everything is at hand. We would like to suggest you one option, which, in our opinion, is ideal for any area. This is a galley style kitchen. Yes Yes. Exactly the same as on the ship.
What is galley kitchen design?
According to Wikipedia, a galley is a space on a ship specially equipped for cooking. Simply put, a galley is a ship's kitchen.
And since the premises on the ship most often have limited space, all the furniture for the kitchen at the cook (ship cook) was located on both sides - that is, it had a linear arrangement. This arrangement was very convenient, compact and practical.
The galley style on land has been adopted by professional chefs in restaurants and cafes, borrowing the idea of a linear layout for the kitchen from their marine counterparts. And if so, then why don't we use this idea and create something similar in our house?
The galley style, as already mentioned, is perfect for kitchen interiors of any size. If your kitchen is wide and large, then a linear arrangement of cabinets will make the space more organized, efficient and clear. If it is narrow or small, it will visually expand it with the help of the right color scheme for cabinets and walls.
Well, how did you decide to try? Then see our ideas and get inspired!
Modern galley
Glossy sets are a great idea for a galley style kitchen.
This modernized version of cabinets and bedside tables will create the illusion of spaciousness in a small kitchen space. The effect of gloss can be enhanced with spotlights. This method of reflective surfaces can be applied over large areas.
By removing “out of sight” all unnecessary things from the surfaces of cabinets, you will not only create a modern and minimalist kitchen interior, but also increase the space in this way.
Galley in open kitchens
Large kitchen spaces combined with living or dining rooms can just as easily be adapted to the style of the galley. The kitchen design in the photo above shows that the suite does not have to have a standard set of cabinets and cabinets. It can also be decorated as an island with a dining area. And all the rest that is needed for galley decoration is to stick to the parallel installation of headset cabinets.
Important details and simple tricks
Light furniture for the kitchen, the use of sets that do not have handles, wooden floors, glass doors, large windows .
.. All these details "work" for ease of movement and to expand the space in the interior kitchens.
Country & Rustic
The parallel galley layout is also perfect for rustic, country or farmhouse styles. Feel free to use all the elements and details of these rural styles in your kitchen design. Natural wood sets, wicker baskets, open shelves, thick textiles - all these details will make your galley bright and fresh. Parallel cabinet layouts, large windows, vintage décor, light furniture and an emphasis on natural materials are a great idea for a small kitchen.
Small space galley
There can always be exceptions to every rule. That's for the galley too. For example, the absence of one of the parallel sides. Someone may object that then it will no longer be a galley, but no - it's him, he's just not quite ordinary - urban, one might say, a galley. It's just that the second side did not fit into the small narrow interior of the kitchen.
