While the expansive realm of elegant kitchen design ideas includes plenty of fabulous galley kitchen ideas, few prospective buyers walk into a dwelling featuring the narrow layout and think: Yay! A galley kitchen! As Lisa Nakamura, cofounder of Spec + Sage interior design firm in Los Angeles, is the first to admit, galley kitchens don’t have the best reputation in the age of open floor plans. But the pint-size spaces, distinguished by their thin footprint and parallel counters, are an inescapable fact of life for plenty of urban dwellers. And they may be getting more popular.
“As we move away from that open concept design and are now giving each room its own due, galley kitchens are a great way to personalize the aesthetic,” says Nakamura. “A galley kitchen can be quite functional as everything you need is close by.” Another bright side: you often don’t have to maneuver around an island. Galley kitchens are also a great way to maximize wall space for cabinet storage, the designer adds.
Ahead, design pros share their tips on how to enhance your galley kitchen, whether you’re doing a full renovation, minor kitchen remodel project, or just trying to clear a little counter space.
How do I maximize space in a galley kitchen?
With some savvy kitchen layout planning and smart storage solutions, you may be surprised by how much you can pack into tight culinary quarters.
“Maximizing space in a galley kitchen is all about intention,” says Laure Nell Interiors principal Laetitia Laurent, an AD PRO Directory member based in Boca Raton, Florida. Laurent advises clients to “think vertically”—for example, consider cabinetry that stretches all the way to the ceiling. Remember that every detail matters, from integrating appliances to choosing finishes that add depth, like contrasting light cabinetry with a darker countertop.
Along those lines, LA-based designer Manuella Moreira, of Manuella Moreira Interiors, advocates for features like a built-in refrigerator and full-wall kitchen pantry with roll-out shelves to “optimize space and maintain a clean, streamlined look.”
However you decide to design your galley kitchen, the key, per Laurent, is making sure everything has a place, so the kitchen feels clean and organized without sacrificing personality or warmth—even if you’re working with tight square footage.
What is the best layout for a galley kitchen?
A functional layout is key in a galley kitchen design. “Typically, the sink and the cooktop or range are on opposite sides to allow for a separation in prep versus cooking zones,” says AD PRO Directory member Sarah Snouffer of Third Street Architecture in Washington, DC. When it comes to refrigerator placement, Snouffer suggests tucking it into a corner to bookend a run of cabinetry.