Modernizing the Galley Kitchen

From Margaret on March 9th, 2011 in Kitchen Remodel

With open floor plans exploding in popularity right now, the galley kitchen might seem a tad closed off. Indeed, galley kitchens (featuring a long, slender layout) originated in submarines and naval ships to allow for efficient cooking in a small space. And, yes, outdated galley kitchens can feel boxy, crowded, and too separate from the flow of the house.

But take note: any difficulty with a galley kitchen is likely due to its features and not its layout. Galley kitchens offer chic functionality with seemingly endless vertical space. When personalized and upgraded, a galley kitchen can be the most amazing space you’ve ever worked in. Modern galleys like these beauties below show how a classic layout can integrate into a modern dwelling.

By opening up the front end of this galley kitchen, and adding an island at the end, the somewhat narrow space opens up to a greater flow. Instead of being tucked into a corner, this kitchen is wedged between two gathering areas, and becomes the center of activity.

In a more rustic setting, this kitchen is completely marvelous. Merging a more open floor plan with this galley kitchen works beautifully. The kitchen, as a result, can reside in the center of the space without overtaking the aesthetic with functional appliances. It just…flows.

This addition of a sleek island turns a simple L-shaped floor plan into a custom galley kitchen. While the vertical possibilities of floor-to-ceiling storage aren’t present here, plenty of storage abounds in the island itself and the surrounding cabinetry. This is narrow, this is sleek, but this is open and free.

This sleek and modern galley layout is anything but cramped quarters. With the cabinetry and hardware simple, the window uncovered and the materials light and smooth, this kitchen is so fresh. The chic and light seating at the end only adds to the great aesthetic.

This modular kitchen is completely freestanding within a sleek industrial space. The narrow design and clearly defined perimeters create a room within a larger room. Again, what would be an incomprehensible flow of kitchen into the corner of the room becomes a succinct galley kitchen with this sleek and huge island.

What kind of kitchen layout do you have? Would you go for a modern galley style?