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Key Takeaways
- Vertical storage is the single best way to maximize the limited space in a galley kitchen.
- Mixing cabinet styles and colors adds personality and a relaxed feel.
- Elements like vaulted ceilings and skylights can make a small galley feel far more open.
Galley kitchens were first designed for ships, where the long, narrow layout was pure necessity. Today the same space-efficient design is a favorite in small homes, squeezing more function out of limited square footage. Compact as they are, galley kitchens are hard to beat at putting every inch to practical use.
Planning a galley kitchen remodel or refresh? There are plenty of ways to make the layout work. The two big considerations are functional storage and keeping enough room to cook and move efficiently. In most galleys, the answer starts with grabbing as much vertical storage as possible. After that, it’s all about style.
To get you inspired, here are 15 favorite galley kitchens across a range of styles, from modern to traditional.
01 Leave Out Upper Cabinets
Small galley kitchens, common in pre-war apartments, were built around fewer and smaller appliances. In a similar layout, consider limiting the upper cabinets and keeping colors light above countertop height to create a sense of space.
02 Include Modern Touches
With its cozy low ceilings, this stylish modern galley has a ship-like quality. Raw materials with clean lines and unadorned designs push the contemporary feel. Natural wood is the centerpiece, paired with steel beams and appliances.
03 Lay Down a Rug
Rugs, runners, countertops, and paint all play up the charm of a galley’s length. Here, a dark sink and range line up with the counters to form two long parallel lines leading straight to a cozy breakfast nook.
04 Make the Most of Tall Ceilings
A butler’s pantry captures the core galley principle: go vertical. Sky-high blue cabinets with full-length glass panes put their contents on display, and a metallic ceiling draws the eye upward while adding warmth and light.
05 Get Inspiration from Farmhouse Design
Older galley kitchens can feel dated, but a few updates bring them back. Use farmhouse elements like beaded board, natural wood, and linoleum tile in new ways for a fresh take.
06 Update with Paint
New finishes refresh a galley kitchen instantly. Paint the cabinets, add a backsplash, or redo the floors to make the space yours. In this example, a natural pastel palette adds up to a soothing, modern kitchen.
07 Open Up Your Galley Kitchen
Remodeling or starting from scratch? Blend the galley’s compact function with a modern, open layout. Consolidating appliances and storage into the galley frees up more room for dining and living space.
08 Vault the Ceiling
Despite its small footprint, this galley feels open and airy thanks to a vaulted ceiling and skylight. It’s an option worth considering in a single-story home or a new ranch house build.
09 Incorporate Industrial Style
An all-steel design nods to the galley kitchen’s nautical origins. Deep hanging shelves supply plenty of upper storage without the visual weight of upper cabinets.
10 Add Traditional Details
The details make this kitchen timeless. Shaker-style cabinets in muddy gold and an apron-front sink anchor the room, while brass hardware and period-appropriate lighting complete the look. Mixing open shelving with upper cabinets covers both storage and display.
11 Refresh a Galley Kitchen
Traditional galleys often run upper cabinets clear to the ceiling to squeeze out every inch. When refreshing, consider a cabinet style that reflects your taste. Shaker cabinets with molding, a beaded-board ceiling, and a subway tile backsplash make for a timeless, functional design.
12 Mix Cabinet Colors and Styles
Galley kitchens usually run parallel banks of cabinetry, but they don’t have to match. Mixing cabinet styles adds a relaxed feel and lets your personality through. Here, natural wood and deep green cabinets make a harmonious pair.
13 Choose a Rustic Galley Kitchen Idea
Natural wood planks as kitchen shelves deliver farmhouse style and ample storage, no upper cabinets required. White shiplap walls and natural pine flooring push the look further while keeping the layout open.
14 Install Open Shelving in Various Styles
Galley kitchens can feel like cabinetry-lined hallways, but they don’t have to. Skip the upper cabinets and mix shelving styles, as shown here, to give the space rhythm and interest. Natural wood accents soften the black-and-white scheme into something calming.
15 Customize Galley Kitchen Cabinets
Custom-depth cabinetry gives this stylish kitchen crucial storage while preserving room to move. A narrow gallery shelf above is the finishing touch.