Decorating Rooms Kitchens 15 Galley Kitchen Ideas That Maximize Space and Style Make this narrow kitchen layout work for you with these space-saving ideas. By Abby Wolner Abby Wolner Abby Wolner is a freelance writer trained in journalism through Drake University. She is a former food writer and contributor to Better Homes & Gardens. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on October 21, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Brie Williams Galley kitchens originated on ships, where the long, narrow layout was a necessity—but they're also popular in small homes because of their space-saving design. The limited square footage means that what they lack in space, they make up for in function. If you're planning a galley kitchen remodel or refresh, there are many ways to make the compact kitchen style work for you. The two main factors to consider are functional storage and maximizing space so you can efficiently cook and move around. In most galley kitchens, the solution is to take advantage of as much vertical storage space as possible. After that, it's all about style. To inspire your kitchen refresh, we've gathered our favorite galley kitchens in a range of styles from modern to traditional. 75 Kitchen Ideas for Every Layout and Style 01 of 15 Small Galley Kitchen John Granen Small galley kitchens are characteristic of pre-war apartments back when domestic kitchens had fewer and smaller appliances. If you're working with a similar layout, you can gain spaciousness by limiting the upper cabinets and painting everything above the waist a light color. 17 Stunning White Kitchen Cabinets That Will Brighten Your Space 02 of 15 Open Kitchen Layout Brie Williams If you're remodeling your galley kitchen or starting from scratch, take the best part of the classic style—the compact functionality—and combine it with a modern, open layout. Place all of your appliances and storage into a galley layout to create more space for dining and living areas. 36 Open Kitchen Ideas for Easy Cooking and Entertaining 03 of 15 Rustic Galley Kitchen Kritsada Panichgul Natural wood planks create an instant farmhouse feel when used as kitchen shelves, and they provide plenty of storage in lieu of upper cabinets. This is a smart way to create more spaciousness in a galley kitchen layout. Other farmhouse touches in this kitchen include the white shiplap walls and natural pine flooring. 9 Helpful Tips for Choosing the Coziest Farmhouse Kitchen Colors 04 of 15 Maximize Ceiling Height Emily J Followill This butler's pantry shows off the main rule of galley kitchens: Maximize vertical storage. Sky high blue cabinets with full-length glass panes protect and show off what's inside. And, if you're drawing the eye to the ceiling, consider putting on a show. This metallic ceiling adds even more warmth and light to the room. 05 of 15 Mixing Cabinetry Werner Straube Galley kitchens are known for parallel lines of cabinetry, but there's no rule about using the same cabinetry everywhere. Mixing cabinet styles can feel more relaxed and is a way to bring more of your personality into a kitchen. Here, the same cabinet style in natural wood and deep green make a harmonious pair. 06 of 15 Updated Galley Kitchen John Stoffer Elevate a simple galley kitchen by updating your finishes. Painting cabinets, adding a new backsplash, or updating your flooring are all ways of making this classic kitchen layout feel more like you. Here, updated finishes in a natural pastel palette join forces for a soothing, modern kitchen. 19 Popular Kitchen Cabinet Colors with Long-Lasting Appeal 07 of 15 Modern Galley Kitchen David Land There is something ship-like about this modern galley kitchen with low ceilings. You can amplify contemporary style, as these homeowners did, by focusing on raw materials in clean-lined, unadorned styles. Natural wood stars here, complemented by steel beams and appliances. 46 Small Kitchen Decor Ideas for Big Style 08 of 15 Add Height Cody Ulrich While the footprint is small, this galley kitchen feels open and spacious, thanks to the vaulted ceiling and skylight. This could be an option for you if you live in a single story house or are designing a small new build. These Vaulted Ceiling Ideas Create a Dramatic Living Space 09 of 15 Modern Industrial Style Jean Allsopp Galley kitchens got their start on ships, which makes this all-steel, industrial-style kitchen feel appropriate. Deep hanging shelves allow for plenty of upper storage without the sometimes oppressive feeling of upper cabinets. 8 Organizing Tips to Optimize Open Kitchen Shelf Storage 10 of 15 Choosing Open Shelving Tria Giovan Galley kitchens can feel like hallways of cabinetry, but they don't have to. You can skip upper cabinets altogether, and you can even vary the types of shelving you use, as shown here, to create more rhythm and variety in your design. The touch of natural wood here breaks up the otherwise black and white color scheme for a calming aesthetic. How to Remove Cabinet Doors for Open Shelving Storage in Your Kitchen 11 of 15 Galley Kitchen Refresh James Yochum The traditional galley kitchen has upper cabinets all the way to the ceiling to make the most of the typically small spaces. When planning a refresh, consider changing the style of cabinets to fit your desired aesthetic. Here, Shaker cabinets decked with molding and combined with a beadboard ceiling and subway tile backsplash make for a traditional, timeless kitchen design that's also very functional. 32 Traditional Kitchen Ideas That Stand the Test of Time 12 of 15 Modern Farmhouse Galley Kitchen Studio Au An older galley kitchen might feel dated, but this kitchen is proof you can make it feel fresh and modern with just a few tweaks. By repurposing farmhouse elements, such as beadboard, natural wood, and even linoleum tiles, in new ways, the kitchen feels anything but old-fashioned. 23 Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas to Add Rustic Charm in Modern Spaces 13 of 15 Traditional Galley Kitchen James Nathan Schroder Every detail of this kitchen works together to create a timeless and traditional look. The shaker-style cabinets in a muddy gold color and apron front sink are the stars of the show, while details like brass hardware and period-appropriate lighting make everything feel just right. A mix of open shelving and upper cabinets provides practical storage and an opportunity to display favorite pieces. 25 Must-Have Kitchen Features to Add Storage and Style 14 of 15 Galley Kitchen Design Photographer Austin Day The length of a galley kitchen is part of its charm, and you can enhance this feature in your design with rugs or runners, countertops, paint, and more. Here, a dark sink and range were chosen to blend in with the counters as much as possible, which creates two long parallel lines leading to the breakfast nook. The 7 Best Rug Pads of 2024, According to Testing 15 of 15 Custom Kitchen Storage Brie Williams This kitchen shows off custom-depth cabinetry, which provides essential storage while allowing enough space to move around. The narrow gallery shelf above is another way to work with this style of kitchen. 15 Pullout Kitchen Storage Ideas that Maximize Every Inch Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit