Design Ideas for Galley Kitchens

Mid Century Modern kitchens can be tight on space, so making use of every square inch of a high-traffic, high-function room of the house is especially important. Many MCM homes have a galley kitchen, a layout like the kitchen on a galley or ship, that makes use of tight quarters with a parallel design with cabinetry and countertops on each side of the long, narrow kitchen. While galley kitchens are practical, how do you design them to also make them as appealing as they are practical?

Here are some pointers from MCM homes with galley kitchens.

Modern white galley kitchen with stainless-steel counters, mirrored backsplash, and a large skylight.

This stark white galley kitchen embodies a minimalist look with parallel walls of white cabinetry with barely there cabinet pulls. All the appliances are mounted, which leaves valuable counter space free. A skylight and view out the sliding glass door keeps the room from feeling overly stark.

Bright galley kitchen with white cabinetry, wood accents, globe pendants, and garden views through large windows.

The black and white sliding door cabinetry gives a vintage feel to this galley kitchen, as does the original 1955 Formica countertops! The wood flooring and ample windows and globe style pendant light give a sense of warmth, and the butcher block section reduces the need for so many cutting boards.

Kitchen with wood cabinets, pale blue tile, stainless range, and bright orange countertop accents.

The cabinetry in a galley kitchen is prominent, so why not make sure it’s something you love to look at? The combination of warm grained sapele wood cabinets and turquoise laminate cabinet fronts gives this kitchen an inviting and playful touch. Backsplash tile and a judiciously chosen espresso machine in complementary orange provide another opportunity for pops of color and a sense of fun.

Galley kitchen with light wood cabinetry, a farmhouse sink, and stainless steel refrigerator.

This kitchen has more ample space than a typical galley kitchen, but the heart of it is designed around a galley layout. The design balances wood, white and mint green cabinets, which harmonizes for a calming effect. The kitchen design also takes advantage of the home’s vertical storage opportunities with its high ceilings.

Galley kitchen with warm wood cabinetry, stainless-steel appliances, and a red patterned runner.

This kitchen achieves an inspiring balance of warmth and function. The dark stained concrete floor is a forgiving flooring option for a kitchen, and the rectangular rug softens the concrete’s effect while also mirroring the cutout entrance into the room. All the appliances are mounted off the counter top for maximal countertop space, and the multi-dimensional wood accent along the wall calls attention to the home’s roofline.

Originally published in Atomic Ranch
Text by Jolene Nolte
Photos by Bret Gum