While the expansive realm of elegant kitchen design ideas includes plenty of fabulous galley kitchen ideas, few prospective buyers walk into a dwelling featuring the narrow layout and think: Yay! A galley kitchen! As Lisa Nakamura, co-founder of Spec + Sage in Los Angeles, is the first to admit, galley kitchens don’t have the best reputation in the age of open floor plans. But the pint-size spaces, distinguished by their thin footprint and parallel counters, are a fact of life for plenty of urban dwellers.
“As we move away from that open concept design and are now giving each room their own due, galley kitchens are a great way to personalize the aesthetic,” says Nakamura. “A galley kitchen can be quite functional as everything you need is close by.” Another bright side: you often don’t have to maneuver around an island. Galley kitchens are also a great way to maximize wall space for cabinet storage, the California-based designer adds.
Ahead, design pros share their tips on how to enhance your galley kitchen, whether you’re doing a full renovation, minor kitchen remodel project, or just trying to clear a little counter space.
How do I maximize space in a galley kitchen?
With some savvy kitchen layout planning and smart storage solutions, you may be surprised by how much you can pack into tight culinary quarters.
“Maximizing space in a galley kitchen is all about intention,” says Laure Nell Interiors principal Laetitia Laurent, an AD PRO Directory member based in Boca Raton, Florida. Laurent advises clients to “think vertically”—for example, consider cabinetry that stretches all the way to the ceiling. Remember that every detail matters, from integrating appliances to choosing finishes that add depth, like contrasting light cabinetry with a darker countertop.
Along those lines, LA-based designer Manuella Moreira, of Manuella Moreira Interiors, advocates for features like a built-in refrigerator and full-wall kitchen pantry with roll-out shelves to “optimize space and maintain a clean, streamlined look.”
However you decide to design your galley kitchen, the key, per Laurent, is making sure everything has a place, so the kitchen feels clean and organized without sacrificing personality or warmth—even if you’re working with tight square footage.
Should you add an island to a galley kitchen?
In small galley kitchens, an island is likely going to be an awkward and cumbersome addition to the floor plan. That said, Laurent believes that a kitchen island can be a beautiful addition to a galley kitchen, but only if it works for your particular space.
