Galley kitchens are often regarded as a thing of the past. However, what if a galley kitchen was given a bit more breathing room and a stylistic facelift? With some help from modern design build, you can achieve some truly stunning galley kitchens. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can modernize a galley kitchen.
What Is a Galley Kitchen?
If you’ve never heard of a galley kitchen, you’re either very young or very old. This type of kitchen was a dominating design choice in the mid to late 20th century. Tons of houses had them. So, what exactly is a galley kitchen? The hallmark of a galley kitchen is that it’s as if a hallway and a kitchen had a baby. Basically, the kitchen is divided into two pieces, which face each other. Walking through this kitchen typically leads to a breakfast nook, dining room, or other space. The important thing is that the kitchen leads between two spaces and is walled on both opposing sides.
More Space
One of the biggest complaints people have about galley kitchens is that they’re too cramped. Opening the dishwasher completely blocks the walkway through the kitchen. Moreover, two or more people trying to get something to eat blocks the whole kitchen. Not to mention, they can hardly get by each other to find what they need.
But, what if a galley kitchen had more space? Imagine how nice a galley kitchen could be if you did have room to walk past each other and even walk by the open dishwasher. A galley kitchen with adequate space could be really nice.
Bigger Windows
One way to help a galley kitchen feel more open is to put in bigger windows. A typical mid-century galley kitchen would have had a standard double-pane, sliding window above the sink. Or, perhaps even a single-hung window. Therefore, to make the kitchen feel more spacious, imagine if one upper cabinet on either side of the sink were removed to make room for more windows. From counter to ceiling, this would allow windows to reach half the length of the kitchen.
Modern Design Features
Much of the reason existing galley kitchens feel so dated is because, well, everything in them is dated. With modern cabinets, countertops, and hardware, a galley kitchen would look decidedly more modern. Therefore, if you’re interested in a galley kitchen, check out galley kitchen renovation photos online to get inspiration for your own stunning galley kitchen designs.
More Open Concept
A classic galley kitchen would have a solid wall on the innermost half of the kitchen. However, you can still maintain the general layout of a galley kitchen while opening it up a bit. Cutting out the part of the wall between the counter and upper cabinets creates enough space to put a small breakfast or serving bar. Furthermore, if you want to make it really cozy, you could even add some bi-fold shutters to the new opening.
Modern Design Build in Toronto
If you’re looking for assistance with modern design build, Heidan Construction is at your service. We specialize in design build for modern and luxury houses. Therefore, if you’re looking into custom home design, you may be our next happy client. Let us know if you have any questions or are interested in a consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!
