17 Ways to Make Your Galley Kitchen Stylish and Functional
It's possible to maximize a small layout.
A galley kitchen is a long, often narrow aisle with cabinets and appliances on both sides. In some, there’s a wall or window at the end of the walkway, or an entry to another room. The setup often gets a bad rap, criticized for being crowded and claustrophobic. But many designers find galley kitchens to be efficient, accessible, and great for storage.
The layout is common today, but originates from ships and aircraft, where it was essential to maximize every inch of cooking space. If you're working with limited square footage, a galley kitchen can be a great way to make the most of it—without sacrificing your kitchen’s design. See our collection of designer galleys for inspiration for your own.
Lean Into Natural Wood
Warm up your kitchen with natural grain and stain, which pairs beautifully with stone countertops and brass hardware. Hommeboys Interiors goes for a cooler-tone oak flooring and triple-bleached walnut cabinetry.
Photo by: Adam Potts
Go High Contrast
Moody black cabinets are the perfect complement to bright white walls in this vintage-inspired kitchen. To complete the look, Cheryl Clendenon of In Detail Interiors brings in a distressed runner rug and floating shelves filled with collected decor.
Photo by: Greg Riegler
Find the Right Shade of Cream
For cabinets and walls, design firm Ponton Interiors goes for a cream paint—the neutral shade feels warm, inviting and airy. An oval-shaped window at the end of the space adds interest and allows more natural light in.
Photo by: Amy Lamb of NativeHouse Photography
Make a Statement With Blue
Ranging from light to dark, blue kitchen cabinets are a popular choice—even in small spaces. Take note from Kristin Kostamo-McNeil of Anne Rae Design and try a black tile backsplash and gold fixtures.
Photo by: Jenny Siegwart
Install a Bookshelf
Build a bookshelf at the end of your galley kitchen for extra storage. It's a great place to store glasses and dishes, plus display cookbooks and trendy decor. Here, Teass\Warren Architects settles on dark wood to create contrast against the white cabinetry.
Photo by: Frazier Springfield Photography
Divide Space With a Glass Partition
A half-wall topped with a glass partition ensures a seamless flow from the kitchen to the dining room in this cozy bungalow designed by Four Brothers Design + Build. This galley kitchen is larger than average with a pantry and designated coffee bar.
Photo by: Steve Hershberger
Maximize Wall Space
Turn walls into storage space—think tiered shelving for dishes, hanging racks for pots and pans and a magnetic knife holder. In a compact layout like this one, every inch matters!
Read more at Style by Emily Henderson »
Photo by: Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Experiment With Pops of Color
Here, Studio Munroe infuses bold color with decorative accents that aren't necessarily permanent. Things like runner rugs, Roman shades, and a tile backsplash can be swapped out if your style changes in a few years.
Photo by: Thomas Kuoh
Skip the Cabinet Hardware
For a modern and minimalist style, ditch clunky cabinet hardware. A lack of handles or knobs can make a narrow space feel cleaner and less cluttered. Instead, let cabinet doors (like this soft wood grain) be your focal point.
Hide the Fridge
From the gold hardware and statement runner to the soothing green cabinetry, interior designer Julia Chasman makes this small space feel so elegant. She even uses built-in cabinets to hide the fridge, which furthers the calm, cohesive feel.
Photo by: Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Choose a Daring Cabinet Color
Go bold in a small space with vibrant hues and playful patterns — just as Shelby Girard, VP of creative and design at Havenly, does here. Try teal kitchen cabinets dressed with gold hardware.
Photo by: ©Kylie Fitts
Add a Statement Runner
Not only does a colorful runner make a narrow aisle feel spacious, it adds instant warmth and texture to an interior. Take note from Brio Interior Design and go for a vibrant and geometric style.
Photo by: Haris Kenjar
Play With Patterns
From the checkerboard flooring and statement runner to the elegant gold stove and two-tone cabinets, this cheerful kitchen combines various colors and patterns.
Build a Breakfast Nook
At the end of this Greenwich Village kitchen, the Mendelson Group builds a small breakfast nook with just enough seating for two. It's a great way to maximize space if you're short on square footage.
Photo by: Eric Piasecki Photography
Decorate With Lighting
Illuminate your galley kitchen aisle with striking light fixtures. We're loving these chrome globe pendants that Chandos Interiors selected.
Photo by: Julie Soefer
Illuminate Your Prep Station
Grouped with open shelving, two adjustable arm sconces brighten up this blue kitchen. Interior designer Tiffany Gowler keeps it light with natural woods and pops of greenery.
Fit in Extra Seating
If space permits, extend your countertop to create a compact bar area—complete with counter stools. We love how Union of Art Interiors adds a large window that overlooks the landscape to create the illusion of more space.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
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