Ideabook 911: Enhance a Galley Kitchen
by Becky Harris · 17 photos · 7 comments
If there is a solid wall at the far end, make it stand out with tile or wallpaper.
by elegueller arquitetos
An even better way to handle that wall, if possible, is a floor-to-ceiling view outdoors. Note the way the path outside the door seems to be an extension of the galley. If you don't have room for something this big, even a small window will help.
by Erdreich Architecture, P.C.
Speaking of light, add a skylight if possible. Note the way this glossy planked ceiling reflects the light.
by Gary Hutton 
If opening up the wall with a door or window outside is not an option, place an eye-catching piece of art, like this graphic black and white subway sign, at the end of the galley.
by Supon Phornirunlit / Naked Decor
This homeowner had the option of opening up one side of the galley to another room, but he didn't want to sacrifice the upper cabinet storage. To compensate for the lack of natural light, he made sure to keep everything light and reflective via a glass tile backsplash and lighted cabinets with glass doors.
by Supon Phornirunlit / Naked Decor
If you have enough storage space, punch through a galley wall to borrow visual space from the next room. This can be via a pass-through hole or a half wall.
by Feldman Architecture, Inc.
You may even be able to remove the wall completely and separate the kitchen from a dining or living room via an island like this one.
by Amoroso Design
Choose a floor you love. One of the pros of a galley kitchen is that you won't need very many square feet of the material, so you can afford to splurge.
by Vanni Archive
Embrace the long proportions by emphasizing them with a rhythmic rug.
by Hufft Projects
If you're building or renovating, see if you can make the galley wide enough for two cooks to fit past each other with plenty of room to spare.
by Mueller Nicholls Cabinets and Construction
Don't restrain your desire for style; there's no rule that says a galley kitchen must be white and stripped down. No one will care that space is a little tight when a kitchen is as glossy and glamorous as this one.
by David Churchill - Architectural Photographer
Borrow natural light from other rooms. Using open shelves instead of a wall for division on the left side of this kitchen opens it up and makes it lighter.
by Schwartz and Architecture
Use special cabinets. These zebra wood cabinets stand out, and the long drawer handles emphasize the horizontal.
by Julinda Balca-2Go Custom Kitchens Inc.
If you can, max out the storage in your lower cabinets and forgo as many upper cabinets as possible.
Get some clever ideas for maxing out the space in the cabinets
Get a closer look at the window seat in this kitchen
by Jessie Kelly Get some clever ideas for maxing out the space in the cabinets
Get a closer look at the window seat in this kitchen
A seating nook is really nice to have at the end of a galley. It allows the chef to have company without people getting in the way.
by Isler Homes
Pay special attention to lighting and take advantage of lighting underneath cabinets and shelves.
by Isler Homes
Raise the ceiling. Adding height vertically makes this space feel much larger than it is.
See the original question and post a question of your own
More: Browse galley kitchen photos
Kitchen Layouts: A Vote for the Good Old Galley
Kitchen Solution: The Open Island
The Well-Concealed Kitchen
by Archipelago Hawaii, refined island designs
See the original question and post a question of your own
More: Browse galley kitchen photos
Kitchen Layouts: A Vote for the Good Old Galley
Kitchen Solution: The Open Island
The Well-Concealed Kitchen
Comments
newmouse says:
I have to smile every time I read the suggestion to open up the kitchen by eliminating upper cabinets. I bet that in a few years designers will offer the insight of utilizing that wall space to increase storage capacity. In the mean time, it is a nice modern look.
3 months ago ·
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midmodfan says:
Funny. I have to smile every time I read suggestions about the 'must haves' like two dishwashers, three ovens and every possible gadget you can buy. Designers will offer new insights all the time, as contradicting as they may be. That's their business.
Thank you, Becky, for pointing out what makes galley kitchens work and look good.
Thank you, Becky, for pointing out what makes galley kitchens work and look good.
3 months ago ·
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Amanda says:
Yep, I have a galley kitchen renovation coming up and I love ideabooks like.this. Thanks for all the great idea. My favorite continued to be the red kitchen.very glam :)
3 months ago ·
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Becky Harris says:
newmouse, I totally feel you on that one. I used to feel the same way until I saw my cousin's kitchen. it is small but it looked so much bigger b/c she opted to do lots of windows instead of uppers:
http://www.houzz.com/photos/77030/Alison-s-Cottage-Renovation-eclectic--other-metros
What amazed me the most was how the storage in her island and lowers worked - it was maxed out! spots for glasses, dishes, silverware all tight and compact instead of the usual big doors with two shelves and lots of wasted space we're used to in lower cabinets! This houzz user found a ton of cool examples of smart use of cabinet space:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/543527/thumbs/Kitchen-storage
Midmod, the "two of everything" thing makes me giggle as well. It's like, what will the next trend be, three of everything? then four? then a backlash where the trend is having none of that thing? :) I guess I cannot knock it until I have had it though, lord knows once you try out a luxury like that you don't want to go without! People are currently knocking pot fillers over on that list and I love mine! :)
http://www.houzz.com/photos/77030/Alison-s-Cottage-Renovation-eclectic--other-metros
What amazed me the most was how the storage in her island and lowers worked - it was maxed out! spots for glasses, dishes, silverware all tight and compact instead of the usual big doors with two shelves and lots of wasted space we're used to in lower cabinets! This houzz user found a ton of cool examples of smart use of cabinet space:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/543527/thumbs/Kitchen-storage
Midmod, the "two of everything" thing makes me giggle as well. It's like, what will the next trend be, three of everything? then four? then a backlash where the trend is having none of that thing? :) I guess I cannot knock it until I have had it though, lord knows once you try out a luxury like that you don't want to go without! People are currently knocking pot fillers over on that list and I love mine! :)
3 months ago ·
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gegolekduit says:
Thanks for sharing great kitchen remodeling inspiration. Nice look.
3 months ago ·
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runnergrl says:
Love these! And as someone who has a huge family and a brother as a chef, two of everything is a necessity.. otherwise our cook/clean time would take twice as long. :)
3 months ago ·
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Madison Modern Home says:
We redid this galley kitchen in a small condo by painting the original 1960s cabinets a soft taupe color and replacing all the appliances with new stainless and black finishes. We installed a teak-look vinyl Allure flooring to add warmth, .and IKEA track lighting to brighten things up. http://www.houzz.com/photos/273081/Modern-Condo-Kitchen-modern-kitchen-los-angeles
3 months ago ·
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