What Is A Galley Kitchen? A Complete Guide

The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in a house. And when you’re spending plenty of time there, you need to make sure it’s functional. Galley kitchens are a popular type of layout in apartments and small homes because of the narrow area, but what they lack in space, they make up for in functionality. Versatile, efficient, and budget-friendly, homeowners use galley kitchen designs in small and even large homes to get the biggest bang for their buck.

What Is A Galley Kitchen?

A galley kitchen is a kitchen design where two walls or cabinet systems run parallel to each other to form a long, narrow walkway. Shaped like a corridor and sometimes called one, the walls are lined with kitchen essentials—cabinets and counters—while sinks, fridges, and other kitchen appliances are incorporated into the counter space. In a usual galley layout, the refrigerator and oven are on opposite ends of the same wall with the sink centered in the middle of the opposite wall. 

Galley kitchens aren’t a design that’s unique to the home. They’ve been “borrowed” in name and design from ship and train galleys. Not meant for accommodating too many cooks in the kitchen, the original design allows one or two chefs to move around comfortably. 

These kitchens can easily become crowded because they’re small, but their layout makes them one of the most functional and affordable kitchen designs. Because the fixtures and appliances are only separated by the walkway, the three main work areas—the sink, refrigerator, and oven —are at a short distance from each other. And while this type of kitchen layout saves you steps, it can also save you money. With limited space, galley kitchens can mean a smaller dent in your bank account with lower build or kitchen remodeling costs.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Galley Kitchen? 

Let’s review the advantages and disadvantages of this type of kitchen layout.

Pros of Galley Kitchens

Galley kitchens boil down to one word: savings. They can help you save money, space, and effort. Because of their size (or lack thereof), you can purchase less kitchen flooring and other pricey materials. The parallel design doesn’t require any corner cabinetry, and with limited space for base cabinets, that also means fewer countertops. In this case, less features and materials will keep the project budget on the lower end.

Out of the classic kitchen designs, galley kitchens make the most of available space. If you don’t plan on using your kitchen for entertaining guests, a smaller kitchen leaves more space for traditional group areas, like living or dining rooms. Galley kitchens are an obvious choice for homeowners who love to cook. The middle walkway makes everything accessible. The easy-to-maneuver work triangle of sink, refrigerator, and stove streamlines your time in the kitchen, making it easier to prepare, cook, and store food.

Cons of Galley Kitchens

We said it before, and we’ll likely say it again: galley kitchens are small. Traditional galley kitchens are limited in space, storage, and natural light. The long, narrow walkways are manageable for one or two people, but it’s likely to feel cramped and crowded beyond that. 

Storage is also a challenge for galley kitchen designs, requiring some creativity to make up for the missing cabinets and countertops. On top of being cramped, galley kitchens aren’t ideal for drawing in natural light. Since the space is typically designed against windowless walls, you’ll have to compensate with light fixtures.

How To Expand A Galley Kitchen 

Photo: Casa imágenes / Adobe Stock

It bears repeating—we warned you—that galley kitchens are small. The space comes with limitations, but with the right design and the professional advice of a local kitchen remodeling company, you can make the space look and feel bigger. Here are a few design tips to consider to help you make the most of your kitchen.

Avoid Oversized Fixtures and Appliances

When shopping for your kitchen appliances, avoid large farm-style sinks and drop-in sinks with built-in rims as they can quickly eat up your counter space. 45-degree sinks don’t work well in galley kitchens either. Instead, consider installing an undermount sink that runs parallel to your counters. 

Replace Cabinets with Shelves

Cabinets are great for storage (and making your space look smaller). There’s no working around base cabinets, but open shelves are an upper cabinet alternative that add storage space without closing off the room. They also create an interesting design element with displayed kitchen essentials and decorative items. If you’re tied to the cabinets, glass cabinet doors are another element you can incorporate to open your kitchen while displaying dishware and glassware. 

Consider Replacing a Window

It seems counterproductive to remove a window from a galley kitchen. One less window does mean less natural light, but if it’s not providing enough light while you’re in the kitchen, you probably don’t need it. Block off the window and replace it with a cabinet. You can never have too much storage, especially in a galley kitchen. And if you’re missing the natural light, look into whether a skylight would work in your space.

Use Light Paint Colors

Dark, bold colors can make a small space look closed off and feel more narrow. For your cabinets, painted walls, and countertops, use light, neutral colors to make the kitchen seem larger. You can stick to classic hues like off-white, white, or beige for a clean look. While they are classic colors, light grays and blues are more modern alternatives to make a space look more open.  

Add Task Lights

Ceiling lights are a staple in any room, but well-placed task lights can balance out your galley kitchen. Cabinet lights make cooking easier while illuminating dark shadows that your ceiling lights don’t reach. Don’t forget to consider installing under-cabinet lighting to help brighten up this smaller kitchen space.

Install a Mirrored Backsplash

Lighting is essential to making a galley kitchen look bigger, and if you’re not adding more light, you can trick your brain into thinking you have. Mirrored or glossy tiles are two backsplash ideas that can create the illusion of more light and by default, more space.