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Galley Kitchen Solutions

Stained wood cabinets in galley kitchen

Large, open kitchens with an island may be the darlings of your inspiration boards, but don’t discount the die-hard fandom of people who just love their galley kitchens.

Galley kitchens have a narrow and longer layout with main appliances and countertops directly opposite of one another,” describes Normandy Designer Leslie Molloy, CKBD. She adds, “Given their layout, galley kitchens are not ideal for entertainment purposes, which is why open concept kitchen layouts have become so popular among homeowners.”

Galley kitchen with partial wall to allow for casual dining

However, the efficiency in meal-prep that galley kitchens provide makes them tempting to keep intact. So what’s a person to do if you want the best of both worlds? Fortunately, there are ways to make a galley kitchen work for your lifestyle.  “If you have a galley kitchen and desire an open layout, omitting part of the wall would be a viable solution,” noted Leslie.

“If you’re keeping the layout, paneling appliances, such as the refrigerator and dishwasher, make a galley kitchen seem less appliance heavy and less disjointed.”

Galley kitchen with high gloss cabinets“One way to optimize storage space and ease the traffic flow in a galley kitchen would be to include a banquette in the space, instead of a table and chairs,” commented Leslie.  “This solution makes the kitchen appear larger and the banquette seats can provide additional storage.”

Whether you love your galley kitchen layout or are in need of some significant changes, getting the right plan together is key. Set up a time to talk with a designer about your kitchen’s pain points, or learn more about what to expect during a remodel at one of our upcoming webinars. You can also follow Normandy on Facebook or Instagram to have your daily design inspiration delivered right to your social media feed.Galley kitchen with high gloss cabinets

Small Kitchen Island Ideas

small kitchen island created by Normandy Designer Ann StockardKitchen islands are a fantastic resource to homeowners, providing extra prep space and additional storage. Islands are also ideal for easing the traffic flow in the kitchen and achieving the open concept layout that’s so popular among homeowners right now. But what happens when you have a small to medium size kitchen and barely have the space for an island?

Small island in kitchenWhen you don’t have a large room to work with, proper clearances in the space become a priority.  You need to have at least 39”-42” between the island and perimeter.  Seating at the island isn’t recommended with 39″ clearance unless you incorporate the seating at the end of the island, in which case you’re still optimizing the space and have a smart layout.

Having a skinny island in many cases is better than having no island. A concern people may have when switching from a peninsula to an island is that they might lose storage. Usually, this isn’t the case, though, when you factor in the awkward corner storage that is eliminated.

Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, and making the most of your space is a priority for everyone. Set up a time to talk with one of our designers to talk about your priorities and what might be possible for your kitchen. For more remodeling inspiration follow us on Instagram or Facebook, or get started on your own addition or renovation by attending one of our workshops.

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