Designing for a Galley Kitchen

Galley Kitchen
A Basic, Inexpensive Kitchen Design that Really Works for You
By Lee Wallender, About.com Guide

Think the galley kitchen is working against you? Think again. The galley kitchen is a classic, and it works beautifully with your remodeling--and with your eventual cooking needs.

FAQs About the Galley Kitchen

Yes, the name “galley kitchen” really needs to be changed, as it evokes images of tiny propane stoves on sailboats (it is often called a corridor-style kitchen, too).

Q: What is a Galley Kitchen? 

A: A galley kitchen is defined as a long, narrow kitchen that has counters on either side of a central walkway. The counters can be interspersed with appliances, sink, cabinetry and other functional items.

Q: What Benefits Do Galley Kitchens Have? 

A: Galley kitchens are, by nature, small. So, you have the cost-saving benefits of size. Also, galley kitchens are ergonomically superior to other kitchen design layouts.

• You save space in your house for other rooms. 
• Because countertops are one of the most expensive elements in the kitchen, this cost is drastically minimized. 
• The major kitchen services (water, electrical, etc.) are kept together. 
• An excellent use of the kitchen triangle design. 
• You save money because you can use stock kitchen cabinets. 

Q: Can I Remodel My Galley Kitchen Myself? 

A: Yes. A typical galley kitchen might range from 100-150 square feet, a very manageable size for a DIY remodeling job.

Steps to Galley Kitchen Remodeling

The galley kitchen can be remodeled much like any other kitchen, but there are a few exceptions. Take note of the following:

1. Use Kitchen Designs Appropriate for the Galley Kitchen. Kitchen islands, breakfast bars, and other similar things only suck away room from the galley kitchen. You’ll need to keep the galley kitchen to the basics: upper and lower cabinets, counters, refrigerator, sink, stove/oven, and possibly a dishwasher. 
2. Watch the Sink. Huge farmhouse sinks or sinks angled at 45 degrees are great ways to waste space. Instead, look for scaled-down sinks and keep sinks parallel to the counters. 
3. Find Creative Space-Saving Ideas. Pushing kitchen cabinets all the way to the ceiling maximizes storage space, though this does tend to create an imposing presence. If storage isn’t all that important to you, then pull the cabinets down six inches to give you more breathing room. Use lazy-susans and roll-out shelves to better utilize that often-wasted space at the back of cabinets. 
4. Consider Blocking Off a Window. This is one of the more painful decisions to make. Does the window give you ample light and air? If not—and if you really need cabinets—you can install a drywall “plug” over the window, and then run the cabinets right across. 
5. Use Light and Neutral Shades. Lighter tones will make your galley kitchen feel much larger. You can use brighter shades for nearly everything in your galley kitchen: counters, cabinets, flooring, wall paint, and even appliances. 

Source: Home Renovations

Frankenhouses

Look out for these big problems when homeowners design things without the help of an architect or contractor:

Dysfunctional floor plans

One Frankenhome owner constructed an addition that made the traffic flow in the home a nightmare. The only way from the living room to the kitchen was through a bedroom. Imagine stumbling through a bedroom for a midnight snack!

Room ratios gone awry

One of the signs that a home was remodeled without much thought is a five-bedroom-to-one-bathroom ratio. That makes for a scary morning schedule! A similar problem is a home with inadequate infrastructure. This would be an existing kitchen and/or dining area that is too small to support the crowd that can be gathered in a huge, new family room or the family members that fill up a newly added suite of bedrooms. Make sure you keep the big picture in mind and don't get carried away with "fixing" only one area of your home. Remodeled areas or additions must be carefully balanced with your existing home.

The bad garage conversion

Converting the garage to extra living space can be one way to add space while minimizing costs. However, thoughtless conversions ruin curb appeal when the new residential wing still looks like the old garage. In addition, you should also carefully consider a major consequence of this type of remodeling: You don't have a garage anymore, which can seriously affect your home's value and appeal.

Unbalanced floor plans

While you may want to devote more space in your home to your hobbies or areas of interest, don't do it at the expense of everything else. For instance, one home we saw had a huge kitchen, complete with a beautiful island, but no living room. That doesn't make sense for most families! Even if you think it works for you, you must keep an eye to resale — even if you anticipate that it will be years in the future. No one will want a house that is too intensely personalized.

Bedrooms with no closets

Bedrooms may end up with no closets for a couple of reasons. A previous renovation could have removed closets to increase the bedroom's floor space, or could have reallocated the square footage of the closet to an adjoining room. (For instance, they could have used the closet space to add a separate shower to an existing bathroom or to maximize the closet space in a master bedroom. Whatever the cause, this is not a good design solution. It negatively affects resale value since rooms without closets cannot be considered bedrooms, as well as reducing the functionality of your home for your own family.

The house that ate your neighborhood

Monster houses are aptly named for this season. Homeowners or speculators who try to force too much onto a residential lot cause many problems for those nearby. Views are blocked, sunlight is restricted, and neighborly relations are strained to the breaking point. While variety in design styles or elements can add interest to a neighborhood, make sure your remodel takes into account the context of its immediate environment.

Jungle landscaping

No matter how lovely the inside of your home, when the landscaping is taking over the yard and sometimes the house, it creates a dark, scary feeling. Keep the landscaping under control and you will avoid the appearance of a Frankenhouse.

Source: Desert News

Decorate like a Kitchen Designer

Kitchens aren't what they used to be. The space formerly known as the scullery is becoming the most popular part of the house. "The hierarchy of the home has changed to become more kitchen-centric," says interior designer Mick de Giulio. "Think of the kitchen not just as the kitchen, but a room to really live in." Follow these tips from House Beautiful Kitchens contributors de Giulio and Mark Leslie to turn your kitchen into your family's favorite hangout:

Make it comfy. For a homey feel, display personal photos as art work. "It can be framed family photos," Leslie says, "It doesn't have to be an oil painting by the Masters." Bring in elements from te living room, such as comfortable upholstered chairs and tabletop lamps for a cozier space.

Make it kid-safe. Even the most beautiful kitchen can withstand kids' messes if materials have durability, Leslie says. For upholstered seating, stay away from linen. He recommends leather and Naugahyde for a polished but low-maintenance look. Quartz and marble counter tops are easy to clean, and laminate cabinetry is the most durable, de Giulio says.

Make it light. To brighten a dark space or open up a small one, think about natural light. Try hanging a large mirror over your sink for a reflective focal point. Leslie recommends scoping out your local flea market for inexpensive, quirky finds.

Source: USA Weekend