What to Know About the Galley Kitchen Layout

Galley kitchens are one of the more classic kitchen layouts. Whether you find yourself with this layout by necessity (thanks, HDB) or have intentionally chosen it, this guide will provide you with all the information you need. We’ve put together a list of the advantages and disadvantages with galley kitchens, as well as helpful tips for organising and designing your cooking and prep space in this style. We’ve also round off this guide with some ideas on how you can achieve this look in your own home.

Contents: 

What is a galley kitchen?
Pros and cons
Design tips for doing a galley kitchen
Interior design ideas for a galley kitchen

What is it? 

Design: Yang’s Inspiration Design

This kitchen layout features a central walkway flanked by counters on both sides. It’s a classic, fuss-free look that tends to work well in smaller homes since it maximises efficiency and minimises floor estate. 

Pros and cons of a galley kitchen

Pros

✓ Makes the most of a limited space

✓ Maximises countertop space and storage in a small area

✓ Functional and ergonomic, with a well-spaced work triangle (sink, hob and refrigerator located within a triangle)

✓ Easy to reach out to everything in the kitchen without having to move around too much

Cons

✘ Prone to have a narrow walkway, impacting traffic flow around the kitchen

✘ Not as well-lit

✘ Overhead cabinets on both sides can create a feeling of being closed in and confined

✘ Not as entertaining-friendly

Design tips for a galley kitchen

• As the walkway is pretty narrow, be sure to consider the doors of appliances (refrigerator, built-in ovens, dishwasher etc.) when opening them. Can you comfortably open them all the way while standing in front of the oven for instance? 

Design: Design 4 Space

• We recommend at least a 75-cm walkway space between the cabinets, but ideally 90 cm. This layout isn’t the best option for kitchens with two cooks using it at the same time, unless you can afford to set aside 120 cm of walkway space. Any wider than that, and you may lose the efficiency associated with a galley kitchen!

Design: Met Interior

• If your kitchen is also a walkway into a common bathroom (usually the case for older HDBs), you’ll definitely want to make sure the walkway’s at least 90 cm so that people can pass through safely whenever you are cooking or prepping.

Design: Yang’s Inspiration Design

• Do away with bulky knobs and handles in this kitchen style. These will unnecessarily impede traffic movement around the kitchen. Consider handle-less cabinets, or go with built-in handle designs that flush with the rest of the carpentry.

Design: Shan Wong Interior Design

• Consider incorporating open shelves, pot/pan rails and glass cabinets rather than full upper cabinets in a galley kitchen. This will help to reduce the visual bulk at the top and allow the space to feel a bit more airy.

Design: Key Concept

• Because of limited countertop space in a galley kitchen, there’s a tendency to forgo/forget landing space. Landing space is the space that is necessary to set down a hot dish safely after it’s done cooking on the stove or in the oven, the space to set aside dirty/washed dishes next to the sink, and the space to set down groceries to be placed in the refrigerator or to be taken out from it. We recommend at least 40 cm of landing space next to these appliances and fittings.

• If your kitchen doesn't get much natural light or if you tend to cook more in the evenings, it's important to carefully plan out your kitchen lighting with lighting layers (ambient light + task light + mood light). If you're making the most of your vertical space with overhead storage, be sure to install under-storage lights with recessed or concealed LED strips to properly illuminate your countertop area.

Design: Icon Interior Design

Ideas for a galley kitchen

Here are a few ideas to make the most of your galley kitchen! 

1. Conventional symmetry

Design: DreamCatcher Interior Design

This is the standard galley kitchen layout with the countertops and upper cabinets flanking both sides. The toe-kick lighting here is a good complement to the under-cabinet lights, helping to make the narrow space feel airier and visually lighter.

2. An asymmetrical layout that maximises storage

Design: Key Concept

If you require more storage, consider installing full-height cabinets and refrigerator on one side of the kitchen and the rest of the appliances (hob + sink) on the other.

3. Using open shelves

Design: Fifth Avenue Interior

Open shelves on one side frees up the visual bulk at the top, and makes room for a comfortable dining nook within the kitchen as well.

4. No uppers in a galley kitchen 

Design: ROOOT Studio

This galley kitchen’s a bit smaller than most, so the homeowners here have decided to do away with the upper cabinets completely. Instead, they went with a contrasting two-toned paint idea to create interest. Lovely!

5. Counters with different widths

Design: Weiken

You can play around with the widths of the counters on either side, making one narrower than the other, so as to free up more walkway space without sacrificing too much countertop room.

6. Glass panel wall (curved!) to open up the space

Design: The Orange Interior

Another great option for opening up a galley kitchen is to use glass panels instead of solid walls. We really like the look of the arch and how it can create a cosy cafe atmosphere when the panels are opened up. This idea is especially beneficial for galley kitchens that may be lacking in natural light.

7. Use curves

Design: Inizio Atelier

Curves are such a great way to help transition a counter and open shelf with different widths, while also helping to eke out more walkway space and softening the overall vibe of the kitchen.

8. Pull-out countertop

Design: The Scientist

If you need more countertop space, you might want to consider installing a pull-out countertop that can be tucked away when not in use.