Understanding Galley Kitchen
The galley kitchen layout takes its name from the compact cooking area on ships, where every inch of space had to be utilized efficiently. In residential design, galley kitchens became common in apartments and smaller homes from the mid-20th century onward, when the emphasis on kitchen efficiency met the reality of limited urban floor plans. The layout places everything within a few steps — the work triangle (sink, stove, refrigerator) is compact and direct, making the galley one of the most ergonomically efficient kitchen configurations. Professional and restaurant kitchens overwhelmingly use galley layouts because they minimize wasted movement. A standard galley kitchen has a walkway of 3-5 feet between the two counter runs, with total room widths typically ranging from 7-12 feet. Galley kitchens can be closed (walls at both ends), open at one end (ending at a window or dead end), or pass-through (open at both ends connecting two rooms).
Galley Kitchen in Interior Design
Modern galley kitchen design has evolved far beyond the cramped, dark corridor of decades past. The key to a successful galley kitchen is making the narrow space feel as open and bright as possible. Light colors — white or light-toned cabinets, light countertops, and pale backsplash tile — visually expand the space. Upper cabinets on only one side (with open shelving on the other) prevent the corridor from feeling closed-in. A window at the end of the galley draws the eye and provides natural light. Reflective surfaces like glossy subway tile, polished countertops, and glass cabinet fronts bounce light around. Under-cabinet lighting is essential in galley kitchens where overhead light alone creates shadows. For longer galley kitchens, a small prep island or movable cart can add workspace and informal seating without permanently narrowing the walkway.
