Named after the shape of a kitchen you might find on a ship, a galley kitchen is ideal for a small, long or narrow space. With a little planning and a touch of creativity you can make your galley kitchen more functional, appear larger, and look stylish too. Follow our simple guidelines for success.
1. Add light to your galley kitchen
The small size and narrow shape of a galley kitchen can leave it dark and a bit dingy. If you have a window, allow the sunlight to filter into the room by ensuring that nothing is blocking it. Adding overhead lighting will dramatically brighten your galley kitchen, and using track, or spot lighting, is a great way to take control of the light and aim it exactly where you want it.
Get ideas for kitchen lighting
2. Make use of the vertical space in your galley kitchen
Every inch is valuable in a galley kitchen so don’t be afraid to make use of the space right up to the ceiling. The tops of your cabinets are the perfect place to store infrequently used kitchen items, and also make a great platform for showing off plants or decorative objects.
3. Use mirrors in your galley kitchen
The use of mirrors is a brilliant way to make your galley kitchen appear much larger and more spacious. Small mirrors hung in stylish frames look beautiful and also amplify the light to brighten your kitchen. Consider using mirrored wall tiles for your backsplash. They’re easy to install, make your kitchen appear wider, and come in handy for last minute hairstyle adjustments during dinner parties.
Learn more about kitchen backsplashes
4. Go for lighter colours
Choosing cooler, lighter colours for your galley kitchen will give the appearance of more space, and create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Dark walls can be a little overbearing in the narrow galley shape so are best avoided. Go for soft light tones on the walls, and having the ceiling slightly lighter than the walls is a great trick for giving the impression of extra height.
5. Consider shelves instead of wall units
Galley kitchens are often narrow and lots of wall units can make them feel even tighter. You may want to consider removing wall units and replacing them with shelves, which can give a more open and spacious feel. Glass shelving, or shelves coloured to match the walls, are particularly effective.
6. Choose integrated appliances
Integrated appliances are the perfect choice for a galley kitchen as they blend in seamlessly to give a more streamlined look. Choosing to have your appliances integrated into your kitchen also offers the practical advantage of freeing up your work surfaces, making cooking and cleaning that much easier.
Check out the LAGAN integrated dishwasher from IKEA.
Get more kitchen appliance ideas.
7. Be creative with storage
Finding innovative ways to store your kitchen equipment can be a lot of fun and gives you a chance to show off your creative side. Pullout storage units are a great way to save space, and rather than bringing decorative items into the kitchen, why not display stylish plates or utensils instead.
Get more storage ideas
8. Keep floors simple
A great technique for widening the appearance of your galley kitchen is to match the tones of your floor tiles with those of your units. Wood floors that run the length of the galley work well, whereas using patterned floor tiles will visually shrink the height of the space. If you have a low ceiling in your kitchen, you’ll be better off with a simple floor design, unless of course, you’d like to feel taller.
Get flooring ideas
9. Add coloured accessories
While brightly coloured walls and cabinets can feel overpowering in a galley kitchen, adding coloured accessories will give your kitchen little flashes of style and excitement.
10. Avoid clutter in your galley kitchen
For maximum efficiency and ultimate style, it’s important to keep your galley kitchen clean and free from clutter. That’s right, it’s time to put sentimentality to one side, get ruthless, and remove the old equipment from your kitchen. All those items that you hardly, if ever use have got charity shop written all over them. If, on the other hand, you still aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to that yellow toaster that Uncle Jeff gave you on your wedding day, at least tuck it away in the attic.
Check out small kitchens – big ideas
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