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Galley kitchens have become one of the few things to make home buyers and owners cringe (besides shag carpeting.) They are known for being closed-off, unwelcoming, and dark. In the age where everyone wants an open concept floor plan, the galley kitchen is quickly added to the cons list when someone is looking for a renovation project. But what if we told you that you can turn your galley kitchen into a space that you won’t dread working in, or spending time in? Here are five easy steps that will add that wow factor to your galley kitchen's small space!
Galley Kitchen Must Have's To Maximize Space
Utilizing Light
The first step is allowing natural light to come into your kitchen. For those of you with a space that has a window, do away with the curtains and blinds. A bare window will open up your kitchen without the demolition of taking out a wall. And if you don’t like a naked window? Dress it up with some trim and add small succulents for an additional touch of green!
Do Away With Dark
Dark cabinetry can be beautiful, but it can also make your kitchen appear much smaller. Think of your galley like a photograph: if you matte a picture in black, it is going to seem more enclosed. So open up your space with our Wellborn cabinets! They are the perfect addition to any kitchen, including a galley, and offer a variety of tremendous selection of hardwoods. And for that extra depth: select cabinets with glass-fronts.
Regain Space
Another easy way to make a galley kitchen appear stifling is by decluttering your countertops. Employ your cabinets–they are there for storage! If you absolutely must leave an appliance out, make sure it has clean lines and a minimalist design.
Pops of Personality
Glass and textured backsplash can add that special dimension and personality to a kitchen. Today, there is so much backsplash available, but for a galley kitchen, we suggest reflective surfaces, geometric patterns, or unique colors. The reflective surfaces definitely increase the appearance of space in the room, the same way that adding big mirrors in a small space give it a larger feel.
Get Illuminated
Schedule Your FREE Kitchen & Bath Design Appointment!
A small space like a galley kitchen can easily be overwhelmed by the type of lighting you choose. Small pendant lights and recessed canned lighting are the way to go when you are switching up designs. They do not take up a bunch of room and leave the headspace of your kitchen open and airy. There are so many unique and beautiful pendant lights available as well that will really add a unique touch to your space. Working with the length of the room instead of against it also makes the space feel larger, and spreading out pendant lights in a galley kitchen is a perfect way to do that. I hope you’ve found these tips helpful! If you have any more questions on how to maximize a galley kitchen, comment below!
Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
