Galley Kitchen Cabinet Arrangements

galley kitchens are a popular choice for apartments. However, the narrow layouts can present storage and organizational challenges. Strategic planning and clever solutions are key to maximizing every inch of a galley kitchen. From cabinet configurations to space-saving accessories, numerous options exist for handling kitchen necessities with style.

By optimizing cabinetry, lighting, and layout, galley kitchens can feel airy instead of confined. The right arrangements keep essentials within reach while preventing a cluttered appearance. With some creative solutions, these kitchens can be both functional and inviting.

Optimizing Galley Kitchen Layouts

Assessing the existing storage capacity and flow of a galley kitchen is the first step toward improvement. Take measurements of the current cabinetry and consider any dead space that could be better utilized. Determine what changes make the most spatial sense before remodeling.

Standard upper cabinets have a depth of 12 to 24 inches. Deeper cabinets can make the space appear smaller, while more shallow boxes open up the room. Wall cabinet height is often between 30 to 36 inches, but raising these to 42 inches allows more room for larger appliances below.

For the lower cabinets, drawers and pull-out shelves maximize usable space. Custom configurations with angled corners or vertical dividers optimize the footprint. Appliance garages allow you to tuck away small appliances but still have them easily accessible.

The clean lines of flat panel or Shaker-style cabinet doors enhance visibility and airflow. For a lighter look, glass front doors keep contents visible. Any galley kitchen makeover should focus on light colors and sleek finishes to prevent overwhelm.

Strategic Galley Kitchen Cabinet Placements

The standard galley kitchen design has upper and lower cabinets lining each long side with appliances and sinks on one end. While convenient, the deeply set cabinets can make the walkway feel exceedingly narrow. Consider skipping upper cabinets over the appliances to enhance openness. Replace them with floating shelves or open wine glass racks flanking the range hood.

For the lower cabinets, choose combinations of shallow drawers and medium-depth shelves rather than only deep cupboards. Install pull-outs, tilts, and slide-outs to bring items forward where contents are visible. Better organization reduces the need for a wide-open cabinet displaying everything.

The most functional galley cabinet configuration divides the kitchen into work zones. Place daily use items like dishes and glasses closest to the sink area. Use upper cabinets over the prep space for canned goods and baking essentials within easy reach. Deep lower cabinets should contain lesser used pots and appliances.

Galley Kitchen Organization Ideas

Beyond the cabinet format, inserts, racks, and containers optimize the storage capacity of a galley kitchen. Customize drawers and shelves to keep similar items together or separate what was previously jumbled.

Cabinet Organizational Systems

To prevent a disorganized mess of pots and lids, install pull-out cabinets with built-in dividers. Tiered designs allow you to neatly stack while seeing contents. For dishes and glasses, divided drawers keep sets intact and cushion items.

Pull-out metal pantry shelves bring items forward where visible and in reach. Consider glass door fronts to quickly see what needs restocking without opening. For blind corner cabinets, wheel-out lazy Susan shelving spins contents within view.

Vertical Storage Solutions

Going vertical maximizes every bit of available space in a galley kitchen. Wall-mounted shelves and compact organizers keep items visible and accessible without occupying precious counters. Pot racks, paper towel holders, and floating spice racks are simple upgrades.

Narrow floor-to-ceiling pantry cabinets, wine racks, and built-in shelving units conserve horizontal footage. For small floor plans, look for furniture pieces like baker's racks, hutches, and rolling carts serving dual purposes. These provide storage and additional counter area as needed.

Maximize Galley Kitchen Cabinet Storage

While galley kitchens offer less overall cabinet space, simple upgrades and accessories enable you to configure exactly what you need. Remain focused on highly functional solutions rather than ornamental designs that just look pretty. Prioritize easy access and effective organizers rather than cavernous cabinets.

Cabinet Inserts and Accessories

Take advantage of every inch inside existing cabinetry with clever inserts like corner lazy Susans, tilt-out designs, and pull-out storage. Customize drawers to fit cooking utensils, cutting boards, bakeware, and other essentials. Use racks inside cabinet doors to hang mugs, utensils, or spices.

For the deep, darker spaces of base cabinets and pantries, use caddies, turntables, and riser shelves to neatly arrange cans, bottles, and small appliances. Clear bins make contents identifiable. Slide-out trays and platforms bring items forward to prevent digging frustration.

Don't overlook the space above kitchen cabinets as additional storage real estate. Mounted pot racks, floating shelves, and wall-mounted rail systems take advantage of the unused vertical space. Utilize for lesser used items or decorative displays.

Smart Storage Containers

Incorporate food containers, canisters, bins, baskets and other organizational tools to combat clutter. Stacking small boxes with chalkboard labels maintain order in cupboards. Acrylic, glass and stainless containers neatly show off items like pasta and cereal.

For lesser used gadgets and appliances, transparent storage bins allow you to identify contents while keeping the items protected and out of the way. Labeled bins designated for categories like baking pans prevent related items from scattering about.

Creative Galley Kitchen Storage Hacks

When available cabinetry feels maxed out, it takes some ingenious DIY creativity to uncover hidden storage capacity. Review all vertical, horizontal, and corner spaces for possibilities. Small upgrades make major differences in a compact galley kitchen.

Wall-Mounted Racks

Unclutter counters by utilizing vertical wall space for hanging racks and ledges. Mounted pot racks free up cabinet space while keeping favorites within reach. Likewise, wall-mounted utensil, knife, and cutting board racks arrange essentials. DIY hanging racks under upper cabinets become quick grab-and-go storage.

Hanging Baskets

Small wire hanging basketsaffix underneath wall cabinets to corral kitchen extras like spices, packets, and wraps. Mounted on the bottom of a shelf or inside a cabinet door, these handy holders keep favorite items visible and accessible.

Drawer Divider Configurations

Maximize every drawer space with customized dividers, trays and inserts designed for the contents. Silverware organizers have designated slots for different types of utensils and gadgets. Use compartment boxes to sort baking essentials. Angled dividers neatly arrange cutting boards and cookware lids.

Deep lower drawers become homes for stand mixers, blenders, and processors simply by configuring sections around the appliance shapes. Consider drawers over doors for corner cabinet spaces. Install shelves or platform racks to raise items up for clear visibility and access.

Compact Galley Kitchen Arrangements

For the smallest kitchen layouts, a creative configuration can vastly improve spaciousness and workflow. Focus on a clean, de-cluttered appearance using only necessary features for an efficient footprint.

Layout Styles

Consider the merits of L-shaped, straight galley or peninsula kitchens. An L-shaped design opens up more floorspace with the same storage capacity of a galley. The continuous counter allows more landing area.

A peninsula layout limits traffic congestion in the main work aisle yet offers seating space. For good flow, ensure at least 42 inches between cabinets and islands. Evaluate optional layouts by taping out scaled plans before remodeling.

Standard depth lower cabinets extend 24 inches but shallower options down to 18 inches deep save space. Deeper wall cabinets limit the feeling of openness so consider more shallow 12-inch depths. Raising wall cabinets to 54 or 60 inches allows greater visibility and functionality.