create a galley kitchen
It’s not the easiest space in the world, but with a few tips and tricks you can make a narrow kitchen feel more spacious and equally stylish
How to make a narrow scheme work for you
Named after the kitchen space on a ship, galleys are characterised by their long, thin shape, and are designed to be super-efficient by making the most of all the available space.
People often balk at a galley layout, but there’s a range of practical options to help make it a workable space, from smart storage solutions to lighting tricks and fun flooring ideas. Read on to find out how you can get the most out of your own ship-shape scheme.
Please be seated
introduce a small dining area or breakfast nook into a galley kitchen by investing in a compact dining table that can be pushed against an unused wall. a simple bench placed beneath a window will provide extra seating, and open shelving above the table area can be utilised for storage. Finish the look with a plain pendant light that will illuminate the space and help mark it out it as a separate spot away from the main cooking area.
Chic shelving
give your kitchen the illusion of space by going for shelves rather than wall units. Keep them the same colour as the wall, for a seamless look, and have fun displaying colourful glasses, storage containers and teapots. Finish with a row of bright lights that will illuminate your new shelving.
‘If you have space for parallel units,position the key work areas – sink, fridge and oven – In a triangle arrangement to cut down on legwork’
Top tiles
Large, neutral-coloured floor tiles will help create the feeling of space in a galley kitchen, thanks to their size and continuity of colour throughout the floor. these toscana silver tiles, £16.99 each from tile Mountain, are on-trend, hard wearing and will add a subtle shimmer to kitchen floors.
Top drawer
storage is key in a galley kitchen, as space-saving is the goal. Go for a multiuse drawer, such as ikea’s metod Ringhult maximera base cabinet, from £69, as it offers a compact area for your crockery and cutlery. Plus the bright red units will make a strong style statement in an otherwise neutral colour scheme.
Glass act
as well as adding an eye-catching element to your galley kitchen, a monochrome colour scheme will also help to establish a light-filled space – especially if you are lucky enough to have a lot of windows. Reflect the light that comes in by using glassfronted cabinets or wall units. These will add some interest and texture, but will also bounce the light back into the room and create a lovely, bright space.
Fold away
utilise space by hanging cupboards close to the ceiling. This Vao storage design, from £600, Team 7, includes a folding door that’s ideal for tricky spaces. The spacious shelves inside are perfect for bulky items such as baking trays, and the handleless design saves valuable space.
Spacious style
choose a kitchen that includes plenty of storage, and where wall cupboards aren’t possible, go for an abundance of units with drawers. as natural light is key in helping to create space, include a window and door in your galley where possible. also a neutral palette will create a more open feel.