Ideas for efficient Galley Kitchen Designs

Galley kitchen designs are popular in homes with small, long or narrow areas reserved for the kitchen. The name of this type of kitchen design stems from the layout of the cooking area onboard ships. Ships could only allocate limited amounts of space for preparing and cooking food. This meant that the kitchen needed to be very efficient even with using limited spaces. The key to galley kitchens is maximizing the use of every inch of the space. Read on to learn more about the galley kitchen with a few tips on how to get the most out of it.
 

The Basic Galley Kitchen Layout

A galley kitchen is identified with units placed and positioned right across each other. This means cabinets, appliances and the like are arranged in two parallel lines. Galley kitchens can also be used to refer to U-shaped layouts. One of the key features of a galley design is minimizing the amount of steps needed to do tasks. Referred to as the work triangle, the total distance between the cook top, sink and refrigerator should be no more than 26 feet apart from each other.

Place the sink in front of the refrigerator to allow the cook to clean the ingredients straight from the fridge. Right next to the sink is the dishwasher. This reduces the amount of clutter on top of the space. A clutter-free countertop gives you more space to work with.

Avoid placing the stove right next to the wall. Leave at least an 18 inch gap between the wall and the stove. This can also double as an extra work area where you can prepare food.
 

Selecting Countertop Materials

When looking for remodelling ideas for a galley kitchen, remember to consider each component carefully. For instance, countertops are not just for showing off lavish materials. In a galley kitchen, they can also double as a cutting board or preparation area. Countertops made from quartz allow you to prepare foods and place hot or cold dishes on top. It is more durable than granite and does not hold stains or bacteria. Hence, messes are also easier to clean.
 

Light vs. Additional Storage

 

When you are planning to design your own kitchen layout, remember to use every inch of the kitchen to your advantage. Maximize storage space as much as possible. You can design the kitchen cabinet to reach the ceiling although this can have an imposing effect on some individuals. On the other hand, filling the kitchen wall with cabinets may mean removing any space for windows. Natural light can help make the space larger, brighter and more welcoming to guests and residents alike. One alternative is to use skylights instead. This way, you still allow some light into the kitchen without compromising storage space. Creative use of windows can also work can help reflect light into dark corners of the room. Bringing more natural light into the room also reduces the need to use lamps during the day, giving you more savings when it comes to energy costs. Determining the type of storage space can also make a difference. Closed cabinets or wall units can work seamlessly with your kitchen appliances.

Galley Kitchen Designs

However, this can make the space appear smaller and tighter. One alternative is to use open shelving. You can use shelves that match the color of the walls or glass shelving to make them appear invisible.
 

Picking Out Colors

Even the choice of colors can make the room larger or smaller than it really is. To make the space appear larger, use lighter colors and hues. Not only will this make the space appear bigger, it can make the space appear more inviting. Avoid using dark walls. Combined with the tall cabinets, the space will look cramped.
 

Additional Ideas for a Clutter-Free Kitchen

Clutter can make your galley kitchen even smaller. Seeing all additional appliances being piled up on the counters can be an eyesore. The following are suggestions to keep the kitchen clean and tidy.

  • Keep all items in their respective storage areas, Removing all unnecessary clutter from the countertop can help make your kitchen look cleaner and tidier.
  • Neatly fold and arrange the kitchen napkins and dish towels inside your kitchen. Doing so can make it become part of the overall design of the space. The location of the tablecloths can make you more efficient when working inside the kitchen.
  • Allocate a spot where you can have a garbage bin built-in. This frees up the floor from any clutter.
  • Install wire meshes, trays and hooks around the cooking and heating areas such as the range. Use these devices to hang pots and pans. Such galley kitchen designs allow you to have easy access to your cookware when you are ready to prepare meals.