Galley Kitchen Design Ideas

A galley kitchen is long and narrow with cabinets along two parallel walls. While some argue that galley kitchens feel crammed and claustrophobic, others find them to be efficient, accessible and great for storage — especially when trying to maximize limited square footage. Due to their tiny nature, galley kitchen layouts are also best if you're working on a budget. Whether you've got a galley kitchen in need of a makeover or you're considering a complete kitchen remodel, we've rounded up stunning galley kitchen ideas that pack a ton of style into small spaces.

Just because you're working with a compact setup, doesn't mean you need to sacrifice beautiful kitchen design. Use shades of bright white, reflective surfaces and natural light to open up small kitchen designs — but don't forget to layer in geometric patterns, open shelving and pops of vibrant color. We've demonstrated how statement kitchen lighting, daring cabinet colors and eclectic floor runners can actually help to create the illusion of more space.

If you're looking to get creative, you'll find inspiration for adorable breakfast nooks and other open galley kitchen layouts — like merging dining and kitchen spaces with island seating. And, if you want clever ways to incorporate 2023 kitchen design trends into your narrow layout, consider colorful backsplashes, overstated hardware and bold kitchen paint colors. Start scrolling to find an idea that fits your home style — there's everything from farmhouse to modern.

Galley Kitchen Ideas: How To Plan One To Maximise Space

Dark lower cabinets help to define a space, while light upper cabinets make a room feel larger by reflecting light. In this Upper East Side kitchen, Bakes & Kropp goes for black lower cabinets with statement hardware — and keeps it minimal up top.

From the gold hardware and statement runner to the soothing green cabinetry, interior designer Julia Chasman makes this small space feel so elegant. She even uses built-in cabinets to hide the fridge, which furthers the calm, cohesive feel.

Pack style into a small space with vibrant hues and playful patterns — just as Shelby Girard, VP of creative and design at Havenly, does here.

Galley Kitchen Design Ideas

Maximize a narrow space with true white cabinets and compact kitchen appliances. Layer in lively details like a Mediterranean tile backsplash, gold hardware and industrial-style lighting.

Make a galley kitchen aisle feel more spacious with chic floor tiles, like this classic herringbone pattern. Here, REFORM pairs the gray flooring with sleek pink cabinetry and minimal light fixtures.

Not only does a colorful runner make a narrow aisle feel spacious, it adds instant warmth and texture to an interior. Take note from Brio Interior Design and go for a vibrant and geometric style.

Small Kitchen Design: 11 Ideas To Inspire

Create visual intrigue by combining cabinet styles and finishes. Here, Reena Sotropa In House Design Group sticks with bright whites on one side but chooses warm woods and black marble for the other.

From the checkerboard flooring and statement runner to the elegant gold stove and two-tone cabinets, this cheerful kitchen combines various colors and patterns.

At the end of this Greenwich Village kitchen, the Mendelson Group builds a small breakfast nook with just enough seating for two.

Gorgeous Galley Kitchen Ideas To Maximize Small Layouts

In a galley layout, you can choose to go for a bold backsplash on one or both sides of your kitchen. Recreate this calm interior by Lily Spindle and use eye-catching tilework on only one side.

When in doubt, stick with sophisticated white shades — from countertops to cabinetry to molding. Hint: light wood flooring pairs perfectly with an all-white design.

Paired with open shelving, two adjustable arm sconces brighten up this blue kitchen. Interior designer Tiffany Gowler keeps it light with natural woods and pops of greenery.

Small Galley Kitchen Ideas: How To Design Your Kitchen

If space permits, extend your countertop to create a compact bar area — complete with counter stools. We love how Union of Art Interiors adds a large window that overlooks the landscape to create the illusion of more space.

Many galley kitchens have a window at the far end, which is a great way to separate a narrow aisle and allow a surge of light to brighten the room. In this sunny space, REFORM settles on pastel blue cabinetry and light wood floors.

With large appliances and white cabinetry on each side, AMMOR architecture uses a galley kitchen layout in a relatively large space. As you cook, this setup ensures everything is kept within reach.

Learning To Love Your Small Galley Kitchen In Nyc

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26 Modern Butler's Pantry Design Ideas 7 Best Blenders of 2023 12 Best Indoor Herb Gardens of 2023 7 Best Air Fryer Toaster Ovens of 2023Galley kitchens can have a bad rap, depending on your style preference. A hallmark of older homes, the compact cook spaces—distinguished by their narrow layout and parallel counters (they were named after the narrow kitchens on ships!)—can actually be quite functional, not to mention beautiful. (And updating a galley kitchen is far easier and more affordable than renovating the multi-island kitchens that have dominated Pinterest over the last few years!) That said, figuring out just how to maximize such a small footprint can be very tricky. It's natural to think you may need to steer clear of color or keep patterns to a minimum to prevent the walls from closing in—or that upper cabinets are a no-go in a narrow space—but the truth is, you can get away with almost anything in a galley kitchen. Really!

Galley Kitchen Ideas That Are Practical And Chic

Whether you're looking for new kitchen paint color ideas, want to incorporate a 2020 kitchen trend, or stick to a farmhouse kitchen style to match the rest of your home, it's all possible. That's why we rounded up 14 of our favorite pint-sized galley kitchen design ideas to give you inspiration for how to remodel your space. Whether you're building a new home with a galley kitchen, renovating an older one, or just want to make a few stylish tweaks to your room's current design layout, we hope these chic (and functional!) kitchen decor ideas help you head in that direction.

For the whole-house palette, homeowner Melissa Duckworth looked to Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection for colors that were just right for her early 1900s farmhouse. In the galley kitchen, which was previously the home’s hallway, she chose a timeless cornflower blue to pair with the reproduction wallpaper (“Larkspur 1872” designed by William Morris) and antique mint-colored—and mint condition!—enamel gas range she found on eBay. The century-old farmhouse sink and period sconces and pendant were all additional eBay finds.

One way to make your galley kitchen feel less like a hallway? Open it up! And no, you don't need to demo an entire wall to do so, as Sarah Sherman Samuel proves here in this serene California cook space.

Design Ideas For A Galley Kitchen

Another way to reduce that hallway feeling is to break up your materials. Here, a patterned floor and dark base cabinets ground the space, while the upper cabinets in a lighter color draw the eye up toward the ceiling.

Light wood cabinets add a jolt of warmth in a space where white would have felt too cold next to the room's gray floors. Black hardware and fixtures pepper in a little drama.

Think you have to steer clear of dark hues in small spaces? That's not necessarily true. Enveloped by white walls and floors, a wall of dark cabinets, countertops, and tile make a statement without overwhelming the modestly sized space.

Gorgeous Galley Kitchens And Tips You Can Use From Them

This happy space by Curio Design Studio proves that even the tiniest of kitchens can be an eat-in kitchen. (We love the cheery green accent cabinets and storage built into the booth seating!)

No matter your square footage, a bright white kitchen is always a good idea. By painting the back wall a slightly warmer hue, the eye is naturally drawn to the room's beautiful arch and breakfast nook.

Cabinets, countertops, and walls in crisp white give this rustic space a clean, serene feel, while large wide-plank wood floors ground the space with warmth.

Galley Kitchen Ideas To Enhance Space

Think you have to keep finishes and accessories to a minimum in a galley kitchen? Think again! This gorgeous space by Erin of Kismet House proves you can mix and match in a small space without creating chaos. (We especially love that she used two different—but complementary!—tiles on either side of the kitchen.)

If you're blessed with high ceilings in your galley kitchen, you may be tempted to use as much vertical space as possible. But as designer Grace Gordon proves, forgoing upper cabinets in favor of keeping walls open can really make a space feel much larger than it really is.

Tend to change your mind a lot? Choose a simple, goes-with-anything color palette (like this rustic-chic white-and-gray galley kitchen by Loi Thai) and pepper in color with your accessories. (We love the strong wash of blue here, but you could just as easily swap it out for something else when you're in the mood for a change.)

Small Galley Kitchen Ideas — Love Renovate

Love an all-white kitchen, but also love the darker cabinet trend that's been going strong the last year? Go with both! Here, in