16 Galley Kitchen Ideas You Can Bring Home

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effective and blank - saving , galley kitchens are like a corridor of cooking with two rows of cabinets and appliances facing each other . They ’re typically cost - effective to make and remodel thanks to their straightforward layout , as well . Despite those benefit , there ’s a misconception that this narrow-minded layout constrains innovation opportunities . And some worry that whatever semblance , layout , and material choices they make might only increase that feeling of physical constraint .

gratefully , though , those apprehensions about this kitchen style are n’t worth the fuss : There are ostensibly endless manner to project and individualise a galley kitchen . The below caboose kitchen ideas can transform not only your kitchen , but the agency you think aboutkitchen layoutsoverall .

A sleek, modern galley kitchen with a walnut refrigerator built into matching ceiling-high cabinetry on the right wall and a professional cooking area on the left.

Photo: YinYang via Getty Images

1. Stick with a monochromatic light color scheme.

Galley kitchens are n’t know for being spacious , but that does n’t mean they ca n’t be made to await and feel bigger . A great theme for galley kitchens is to visually extend the infinite by choose a lighter hue and sticking with it for all of the airfoil .

“ For a smaller footprint cookhouse kitchen it would be best to keep the material finish selection on the lighter side , without a lot of unlike shades or bluff patterns , ” says Fran Isaacson , CKBR , NKBA , who is the owner and designer of Skippack , Pennsylvania - basedInspiration Kitchen and Bath .

“ clean / off white or a sluttish stain color cabinet would be a beneficial option along with a countertop that does not have a lot of dissimilar colors mixed in or strong veining . Quartz counter have a lot of unlike lighter shades with piffling to zero pattern in them . ”

A clean white galley kitchen with white parquet flooring has a black dining table set at the end of it.

Photo: John Keeble via Getty Images

2. Extend the countertop up the wall.

When trying to make a corridor kitchen feel with child , consider choosing acountertop materialthat can also exercise as the backsplash . By express the retort up the wall , there ’s less visual interruption for the eye to get stick to on . The few breaks in cloth change , the expectant the elbow room feels . Here , as a bonus , the solid surfacing becomes a focal decimal point of the outer space , too .

3. Celebrate select cabinet interiors with color or light.

Bring a piffling extra life into a ship’s galley kitchen remodel with color or lighting . By emphasize the interior of the cabinet in a warm chromaticity , there ’s a sentience of greater deepness . Not only does a pop up color or light help dilate the sense of outer space , it also adds a welcoming spirit to everyone who enroll your kitchen . It ’s not even necessary to hire an linesman or telegram Light when you could pick up some LED Robin Goodfellow luminance or otherDIY cabinet lighting .

4. Let in as much natural light as possible.

Making the most of innate light source is another path to make a more inviting ship’s galley kitchen . Not only can raw lightness offer a sustainable way to light the space , it also offers purview beyond the galley , making the room experience less cramped . In this kitchen , natural light from the door and window bounciness off the meditative finishes of the cabinets and appliances , as well as off of the livid counters , tile , and cap .

5. Add a subtle pop of color.

If you have sex a splash ofcolor in small kitchens , view adding your favorite chromaticity to an architectural lineament at the end of the ship’s galley . This caboose kitchen layout includes a barn door in a milky , nearly neutral bluing that blends well with the pick cabinets and natural wood tone . If you do n’t have an architectural feature to highlight , countertop appliances or wall artwork with colour that inspire you’re able to provide a similar upshot .

6. Contrast cabinet and drawer colors.

While many interior designer often suggest that Edward Douglas White Jr. and creams are reliable colour for galley kitchen designing , it does n’t think you ca n’t use other colors in your kitchen . Sometimes carefully placed color can assist make the elbow room feel even roomy than if it was just one people of colour throughout . In this galley kitchen , the saturnine bleak draftsman fronts draw the pathway and make everything white feel much further away .

7. Create a focal point at the end of the galley.

minute kitchen ideas do n’t have to just focus on white either . This idea is for those who revel a bit more drama and bold colors . believe creating a focal stop at the end of the ship’s galley . “ Even though infinite may be loaded , do n’t be afraid to add a pop of color to a exclusive paries or even to one side of the storage locker to create visual interest , ” say Lisbeth Parada , Color Marketing Manager atDutch Boy Paints . In this mostly white kitchen , the deep maroon at the end of the cookhouse shortens the optical field so that the room actually feels less like a galley and more like a spacious room . A light chromaticity would n’t cater the same sort of effect .

8. Cover the floor with a tight pattern.

cagy ideas for pocket-size galley kitchen can also center on patterns . Designers usually conceive Graeco-Roman modest repetitive patterns in just two neutral hues , like a houndstooth or herringbone , a neutral . These practice provide ocular interest without overwhelm the rest of a design . In this kitchen , a docile pattern on the floor provide a flake of personality , and it would assist deemphasize spills or dirty dog in a busy household , too .

9. Spotlight the backsplash and counter with undercabinet lighting.

Galley kitchen ignition is an important considerateness when contrive the space . Layering lighting with overhead , pendant , and undercabinet lighting is an easy way to work spirit into a galley kitchen . Of all of these , undercabinet lighting is the easiest to instal , and it shines a actual spot on your counter material andbacksplash patterns . Plus , the layers of lighting and upscale materials can make a night club vibe at home in your galley kitchen . Perfect for those who bang to entertain regularly .

10. Replace upper cabinets with rows of open shelves.

Cabinets facing each other down a long galley kitchen can be smashing for those who call for the storehouse space , but it can tend to feel a bit cramp . While this kitchen is n’t a classic galley kitchen , as it has the welfare of an open space above the right-hand run-in of bottom cabinet , it does show one intention trick for making the space feel more open . Consider replacing some of the uppers withopen shelvingthat extends the entire length above the countertop .

11. Pick appliances that are designed for small spaces.

When plan the design of a ship’s galley kitchen , consider pick out contraption that are plan for small spaces . By using slender profiles and appliances that fit inside the low cabinet distance more easily , the entire scale of the kitchen transforms . This kitchen includes appliances fromZline ’s Studio Collectionthat includes kitchen stove , dishwashers , cooktops , and more .

12. Blend flooring with vertical surfaces.

Not every kitchen demand to make a major statement . By pick out similar finishes on the floor and cabinets , you may make a small jewel box galley kitchen set within the large white blank like this one . Just keep in thinker that the direction of most of the plank is the same . By contrast the direction , it could create ocular disharmony .

13. Emphasize the floor with an eye-catching pattern.

For those who are more design adventurous , a bold flooring choice can transmute the feel of a kitchen . While a singular bold colour like red could enliven the place , a pattern that seems to extend beyond the room ( like this one ) can make the way feel like more than the centre of its square footage . If you already have a plank storey , consider staining orpaintingsome of it to produce a similar look .

14. Lay down a bold runner for added dimension.

If yourgalley kitchen with an islandis sense bland — but you are n’t confident about painting or swap out permanent feature of speech like cabinets — maybe try something less permanent . Adding a dada of pattern in a runner rug adds personality and fun . Plus , you could try out dissimilar colors and styles without having to invest a ton of time updating the distance .

15. Use just one color on the upper half of the walls.

The more colour , texture , and patterns you present , the busier the room feels . By keeping the vertical spaces minimal and in just one chromaticity , it helps to make the room palpate large . trading floor - to - ceilingkitchen cabinetswith flat front man blend in with the level walls when they are in the same coloring material , too .

16. Establish a rhythm with the lower cabinets.

While you’re able to keep all of the appliances in the downcast half of the wall , you’re able to also choose to keep them in the center part of the walls . Here , the bottom locker are systematically the same color with the same pull , so they blend nicely to make a calm vibration . Even though there are several small appliances in this kitchen , they are all positioned at the same degree as thefaucet , keep the upper cabinets in the same profile , color , and finish as the lower cabinets .

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A galley kitchen a white and dark grey marble countertop and matching backsplash.