Many of today’s homes feature large kitchens that serve as spaces for cooking, cleaning and gathering. If your home is a cozier affair with a more efficient kitchen, you may want to consider some of the following ideas. Galley kitchens were the standard for homes built during the 1940’s and 1950’s. There are plenty of ways you can make the most effective use of your existing galley kitchen to enjoy room for storage and food prep.
Remove a Wall Section
It’s a simple concept, take down a wall to combine spaces. If the wall in question is not load-bearing and doesn’t hide plumbing pipes, it’s a relatively simple task for a contractor. However if removing the wall isn’t an option it may be possible to remove part of a wall. Adding some light to the kitchen will give the eyes a greater range of view. And give you a more open look.
Make a Small Kitchen Look Larger
If you have an older house, there’s a chance you have a dropped ceiling beneath the original ceiling, which once was considered a good way to save energy costs. Check to see if you can remove the dropped ceiling and gain 6 inches to a couple of feet in height. Sometimes removing the soffit and taking your cabinetry to the ceiling can make a big different in how your galley layout looks and functions. Use light colors for your walls and new lighting plans can really help brighten your galley kitchen. Also consider adding skylights if possible to bring in lots of daylight.
Consider linear drawer pulls
Linear drawer pulls which double as dish towel hangers during busy kitchen session in a galley kitchen is a plus. If your current knobs or drawer pulls are out of style, try something more contemporary or modern. You’ll be amazed at the difference drawer pulls will make in the overall appearance of your cabinets. Drawer pulls can add a powerful visual punch to your design but they can also be functional.
Add Some Curves to Your Linear Galley Kitchen
Interior designers strive to strike a balance. Round or curved features can help to balance the straight edges and corners of the galley kitchen that are inescapable. Add a round pedestal to the edge of a countertop. A curved range hood could be a welcome addition. Use a rounded facet and an arched window if possible.
The Work Triangle
The U-shaped layout of a galley kitchen offers an efficient work triangle. The galley layout works well for all kitchen styles; it’s also the preferred design of many professional chefs, who love this layout because it enhances safety and efficiency during cooking. Just like the compact galley on ships, after which this layout is named, galley designs also optimize space by packing in an abundance of storage and countertop area.
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