5 Hints For Rocking A Galley Kitchen
Named after the skinny compartment in a ship where food is prepared, galley kitchens can be small and hard to navigate. Where open kitchen designs allow for larger gatherings and traffic, and a good flow throughout, galley kitchens are small, narrow, and tucked away.
The shape and intimacy of a galley kitchen can allow for greater focus when cooking, and for more privacy in behind-the-scenes culinary activity before food is brought to the dining area. Of course a galley kitchen's unique layout calls for specific organization and considerations. These five suggestions can help get your galley kitchen in shipshape.
GO VERTICAL. A distinct element of galley kitchens is their vertical cabinet space. If yours don't extent to the ceiling, consider adding pull-out bins or baskets above the cabinets for less-used-but-necessary equipment.
CREATE STATIONS. Julia Child herself advocated strongly creating stations in a kitchen, and this kitchen calls for it more than any other. Create larger stations, like a baking cabinet with all dry ingredients and equipment, to smaller stations, like an organized utensil drawer.
CLEAR OUT. Painful as it may seem, clearing out useless or repetitive equipment will change the culture of how you cook. Yes, get rid of those things with empty sentimentality. Get rid of the one-purpose appliances (that huge bread maker you pull out once a year).
CREATE SYSTEMS. The military knows the value of systems and protocol. Create consistent ways of doing things so that the less important functions become automatic, leaving mental space for the non-menial things like entertaining, visiting, and enjoying cooking.
MAKE CLEAN UP FUN. Yeah, right. There's nothing fun about those dirty dishes mounting during a dinner party. Lessen clean-up time by getting great gloves, soap, and a drying rack if you don't have a dishwasher. While cooking, place your dishes in a hot soapy plastic bin in the sink to cut down on scrubbing time.
The shape and intimacy of a galley kitchen can allow for greater focus when cooking, and for more privacy in behind-the-scenes culinary activity before food is brought to the dining area. Of course a galley kitchen's unique layout calls for specific organization and considerations. These five suggestions can help get your galley kitchen in shipshape.
GO VERTICAL. A distinct element of galley kitchens is their vertical cabinet space. If yours don't extent to the ceiling, consider adding pull-out bins or baskets above the cabinets for less-used-but-necessary equipment.
CREATE STATIONS. Julia Child herself advocated strongly creating stations in a kitchen, and this kitchen calls for it more than any other. Create larger stations, like a baking cabinet with all dry ingredients and equipment, to smaller stations, like an organized utensil drawer.
CLEAR OUT. Painful as it may seem, clearing out useless or repetitive equipment will change the culture of how you cook. Yes, get rid of those things with empty sentimentality. Get rid of the one-purpose appliances (that huge bread maker you pull out once a year).
CREATE SYSTEMS. The military knows the value of systems and protocol. Create consistent ways of doing things so that the less important functions become automatic, leaving mental space for the non-menial things like entertaining, visiting, and enjoying cooking.
MAKE CLEAN UP FUN. Yeah, right. There's nothing fun about those dirty dishes mounting during a dinner party. Lessen clean-up time by getting great gloves, soap, and a drying rack if you don't have a dishwasher. While cooking, place your dishes in a hot soapy plastic bin in the sink to cut down on scrubbing time.
Photos & Products
Sleek and modern--and airy, with one side open to the dining space.
This skinny kitchen even has open space above.
Another view, from the dining space.
From the outside to the back kitchen wall, this kitchen contributes to the open and pleasant layers throughout the space.
The simple and pleasant color palate keep this (wider) galley kitchen uncomplicated. Lights above reinforce the linear nature of the space.
The dining space below this window (with a great view) open up this space and gives the illusion that it goes on forever. Wonderful simple palate in this farmhouse vibe.
Pristine and clean, grounded by darker floors. Notice how modern yet subtle the countertops look, and notice the use of vertical space above.
In a more urban setting (where small galley kitchens seems to abound), this cooking space gets a modern touch with its cabinetry and general refurbishment.
A favorite photo on houzz, for good reason. The classic simplicity of white against stainless steel gets a balance with nature in the greenery and natural light. Note the subtle and useful dishware storage.
Comments (6)
phoenix_feather
Thanks for a great demonstration of how galleys can be both light & dark-- fab post!
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Brennan + Company Architects
Thanks for posting. I believe galley kitchens are truly the most efficient in terms of function and saving square footage. I would love to add this galley kitchen - the only option for a kitchen in this 10' wide rowhouse. It has everything you need, including access to a great view of downtown!
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doublearr
these are awesome tips! I have an old galley kitchen and hated it because first off, it was old. But I just thought it was too small. After getting some helpful tips from this article I know how to make it work when I do our kitchen remodel soon.
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