Although designing a galley kitchen may feel like you'll never be able to squeeze everything in that you need, get it right and you can end up with a highly efficient workspace that looks great too.
But what are the pitfalls of this type of kitchen design, and just how do you organise everything you need into a narrow space with just two runs of parallel units, or a single run with a long kitchen island?
We asked kitchen experts to share the best ingredients for a successful galley kitchen design so you can make sure you're prepped and ready to go.
Get the width right first
“Designing a galley kitchen is often about working intelligently with proportion rather than trying to force a sense of scale that the space simply does not have," says Richard Davonport, managing director at Davonport.
"Because the layout usually runs along two opposing walls, it allows you to maximise usable cabinetry while keeping everything within easy reach, which is why it works so well in narrower rooms and transitional spaces where the kitchen also acts as a thoroughfare.
"The key is getting the width just right," he shares, "as a galley that is too tight will feel restrictive, while one that is too wide can undermine efficiency, making everyday tasks feel disconnected."
For a comfortable clearance between cooks and someone passing, aim for at least 1.2m between cabinet runs in a galley kitchen. Conversely, also try not to give too much space between the parallel banks as the efficiency of a galley kitchen will be lost if the opposite side is too far away – 2m will be more than enough space.
"With small or galley-style kitchens, corner cabinets are a waste of space," warns Howard Miller of H. Miller Bros. "I much prefer a galley with two straight runs facing each other, so don’t be tempted to turn this into a U, as all you're doing is creating two awkward corner cabinets and cutting out floor space."
If your galley kitchen leads into another room without dividing walls – or you're looking for general kitchen diner ideas you could also use curved end cabinets for a smooth transition.
Richard Davonport is a luxury cabinetmaker, designer and the founder and Managing Director of kitchen specialists, Davonport. The company designs and makes bespoke kitchens from its workshop in the heart of East Anglia. He has a vast wealth of experience in kitchen design, layout and creating beautiful kitchens for all type of homes.
Plan your galley kitchen layout with care
To begin planning a galley kitchen, create a simple floorplan of the room with key elements, such as doors and windows clearly marked on. If you're renovating a kitchen, also mark on your plan where the hot and cold supply is located, as well as the waste pipe for the sink.
From here you can begin planning the layout and the position of key items like kitchen appliances and your lighting.
"We always begin by mapping out the kitchen triangle so the sink, cooking and refrigeration zones sit comfortably across the two runs, allowing one side to carry two of these functions while the other supports the third, which creates a natural rhythm to how the kitchen is used," advises Richard Davonport.
Then, think about how you will use the space and how you like to cook. One approach is to zone the long runs into different stages of cooking. Start with ingredient storage (think pastas, vegetables and your fridge) before moving onto a preparation zone with clutter-free workspace. Then transition to the cooking zone with quick access to utensils and spices – giving plenty of space either side on the hob. Finally, dedicate the last space to plating up (with crockery and serving dishes to hand) and cleaning up with your sink and dishwasher at the ready.
This design also means that tidying and putting away is quick and streamlined, ready for the next day, while cooks and helpers don't get under each other's feet.
Mix and match cabinet sizes
Although it might be tempting to cram as many kitchen storage ideas and cabinets into the space as possible, this is not ideal for an already narrow design.
Start by designing in a mixture of tall units and with base units. Unless you have high ceilings, try not to have tall units on both sides of the kitchen, as while it might look good to mirror heights, the space may subsequently feel hemmed in.
"Galley kitchens also offer surprising flexibility in terms of character, as clients can opt for a mirrored, symmetrical layout for a calmer, more architectural feel, or introduce asymmetry through varied cabinet heights, changes in colour or a mix of storage types, which adds depth and individuality without disrupting the clarity of the layout,” notes Richard Davonport.
That said, if the room is only a standard height, do remember that wall units on either side of a galley kitchen may make the space feel claustrophobic. Including either glazed cabinets or kitchen shelving ideas can help the space to feel more open.
Deeper kitchen drawers vs cabinets may also provide a little extra storage but be sure to check there is sufficient width to include them.
And, if you have enough width, opting for a shallower single run of base units at the end of the room could provide you with the perfectly sized storage space for spices and ingredients – particularly in the absence of having enough space to indulge in a small pantry design.
Don't dismiss the importance of your cabinet hardware in galley kitchens
Although choosing kitchen cabinet handles matters in all kitchens, they're even more important when designing a galley kitchen. Select the wrong handle and you've ended up with a common kitchen design mistake that could have been avoided.
"In a galley kitchen, hardware has an outsized influence because it sits right on the pinch points: every door, every drawer, every moment you pass someone or turn with a hot pan," confirms Gareth Hull, design lead at Hendel & Hendel.
"The aim is to make the space feel effortless to use, which starts with choosing pieces that stay close to the cabinetry and feel comfortable in the hand, because anything that projects too far can catch on pockets or simply make a tight passage feel tighter.
"This is where a slimline pull, a refined edge pull, or a discreet integrated grip can work beautifully, especially on the run that takes the most traffic," he advises, "while deeper, more sculptural handles are often better reserved for feature moments where you are not constantly brushing past them, such as a tall bank at the far end of the room.
"Scale matters as much as style," Gareth adds. "Longer pulls tend to look calmer on wider drawers and they distribute the force more evenly, which is useful on heavy pan drawers where you want a smooth, controlled action rather than a tug.
"On narrow doors and shallow drawers, a smaller pull or knob can be the better choice, but it is worth thinking about consistency across both sides of the galley so the room reads as one composition rather than two competing walls; you can still introduce subtle hierarchy through proportion, with longer pulls on base drawers and shorter ones on wall cabinetry, so the layout feels ordered without becoming busy," he continues.
"It is also worth considering the direction of travel and where your hands naturally land. In a tight galley hardware should encourage a clean reach and release, not force you into awkward wrist angles," he warns.
And finally, "if you are mixing appliances and tall units, aligning handle positions across the full height of the cabinetry helps everything feel more streamlined and, in practical terms, reduces the sense of visual clutter that can make a narrow kitchen feel more compressed," concludes Gareth.
Gareth Hull is the design lead at Hendel & Hendel, a leading UK hardware brand. He leads on the design direction for the brand’s collections and interior styling. With a background in product development and a keen eye for detail, Gareth's approach seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics and his work emphasises refined forms, elevated materials, and a balance between contemporary, traditional and transitional pieces.
Shop for galley kitchen handles
Add gold hardware for a luxurious finish in your galley kitchen design
Keep it simple with this pack of six nickel round cabinet knobs
Add unobtrustive drawer pulls that are perfect when designing a narrow kitchen
Choosing appliances for a galley kitchen design
"Appliance choice becomes crucial, in a galley kitchen design, whether that is integrating a full-height fridge pr a tall bank of ovens, all of which need to sit comfortably within the overall composition rather than dominate it," says Richard Davenport.
So while you can't skip essential appliances, what can you do to ensure the flow works well?
"Avoid grouping cooking and prepping stations with appliance areas as it will feel overcrowded," suggests adds Will Eaves, design and development director at British Standard by Plain English. "Instead, spread out stations along the galley as this allows for better flow when cooking and enables more people to be in the kitchen at one time."
For galley kitchen layout ideas, one option is to start with your fridge at one end, position your oven and hob in the centre and the sink and dishwasher at the other end. This should provide a stretch of uninterrupted workspace along one side of the galley and two useful areas either side of the cooking zone.
If the zone layout isn't for you or your lifestyle, try to ensure the fridge and the sink are within easy reach of the cooking area. You don't want to leave anything you're making unsupervised on the hob while you frantically look for ingredients in the fridge or dump pots and pans to be washed.
"For galley kitchens, we suggest two key appliances on one side of the kitchen – for example, the sink and hob – and a separate area for the fridge on the other side," adds Will Eaves. "This helps maintain flow when cooking and avoids overcrowding the cooking station."
If you're able, you could also outsource worktop appliances to a walk in pantry or utility to declutter the worktops.
Also hunt for modern appliances which could reduce mess such as installing a boiling water tap, or looking at smart kitchen ideas where items such as downdraft kitchen extractor fans that are built into the hob or worktop could be the perfect additions when designing a galley kitchen.
Will Eaves is the design & development director at British Standard by Plain English, a company who have been making handcrafted quality kitchens in the UK for over 30 years.
Keep your kitchen worktops kettle and clutter-free by opting for a boiling water tap that provides cold, hot and boiling water all-in-one
Lighting a galley kitchen
Lighting a galley kitchen is all about the prep spaces which is why you need to pay extra attention when selecting your small kitchen lighting ideas.
Central downlights provide helpful ambient lighting, but as soon as someone steps in front of the worktop the light is blocked and they're blindly chopping a tomato. It's why layered lighting is a must when designing a galley kitchen.
Include under cabinet lighting to make prep more functional, and if you've opted for open shelving or have free space above your worktops, adjustable wall lights with arms that can stretch to the needed areas or simply cast a warm glow when not in use are another great addition.
Consider rechargeable table lamps too such that can be easily moved around the space to add extra mood lighting to your culinary hot spot.
Shop for galley kitchen lighting ideas
Direct light onto your countertops by installing wall lights into your galley kitchen
Add directional light with a track spotlight in your galley kitchen design
Use a rechargeable table lamp such as this stylish sage green one for portable light
Getting your galley kitchen aesthetics right
Once your layout, and appliances are chosen, make your galley kitchen look as good as it functions by paying attention to the smaller details.
As an example, choosing the right kitchen sink idea can give you a more streamlined finish. An undermounted sink with no drainage grooves in the worktop will encourage users to put away washing up as soon as it is done, reducing clutter. Use a portable drainer or even an absorbent mat that can be washed and put away if you do need to spend time washing dishes.
Include the latest kitchen trends to make your galley kitchen feel special and stylish. This could be mixed metal finishes, or sustainably sourcing a secondhand kitchen –the straight lines of galleys are perfect for reusing ex-display or secondhand units and saving a bundle.
Also, thanks to galley kitchens generally needing fewer cupboards and work surface material, they are often classed as relatively cheap kitchens. Or, with less to buy, you could instead splash out on a more luxurious design. Alternatively, consider where that money could be put to use architecturally, for instance in an overhead rooflight to brighten a dark space.
FAQs
What is a good length for a galley kitchen?
If you're in a small existing room and not looking to knock through walls, you will be limited in how long a galley kitchen will be, but ideally a galley kitchen should be at the very least 2m long to provide enough space for appliances and preparation space.
"There is no best length for galley kitchen ideas, it depends on the length of the room and how much of it is needed for worktop/kitchen space," says Will Eaves.
"Ensure there is enough space on either side of the cupboards to move freely without it feeling cramped – and make sure drawers and cabinets can open easily without damaging nearby walls or shelves."
One way to work out the minimum space for your galley kitchen to work for your lifestyle is to be clear on your needs. A family of four will need a larger fridge-freezer, for instance, but a smaller under-counter model might suffice for couple or individual. Also, if you need an integrated dishwasher, this needs to be accounted for within base units, but a slimline unit could be a solution if space is tight.
How do you make a galley kitchen look bigger?
The trick to making a galley kitchen look bigger is all in the detail. Lighting, flooring and glazing will all have an impact on how the room feels, while decorative choices such as paint colours and the use of mirrors can be used to create an illusion of space.
Galley kitchens often have one end leading out to the garden so really focus on how this could be maximised to make the room feel expansive. A picture window above the sink looking out is one option, as are new patio doors which can peel back to reveal the outside.
Orientate the best flooring for kitchens, be it a practical tile or timeless wood, so it runs width-ways as it will give the illusion of a squarer room.
A lighter colour palette will draw the eye upwards and ensure the room feels light and airy. While reflective surfaces, such as high gloss units or a shiny quartz worktop, will help light bounce around the room.
Also take a look at kitchen splashback ideas and consider options such as smoked glass that will offer additional light and reflection in your galley kitchen design.
For more inspiration when designing a galley kitchen, take a look at this advice on choosing a kitchen countertop colour to make sure you pick one that will compliment your compact kitchen.
And, there's no better place to look for ideas on colour, layout and storage than our round-up of the best small kitchen ideas.
