Galley kitchens offer maximum efficiency when space is tight. It helps to make the space look bigger by producing an elongated effect by having the two countertops parallel to each other. Many people have found that a galley kitchen is not only efficient but also very comfortable to work in, as you can minimize your movements around the space.
Aisle Space
The most important element to consider for a galley kitchen is the aisle space. The problem with a galley kitchen is that it can seem confining if the aisle space is too small. Ideally, you should design the aisle space to measure between 4 and 6 feet wide. This allows for movement inside the kitchen for more than one person.
Work Triangle
The work triangle is one of the most important elements that many kitchens are designed around. The work triangle is based on using the refrigerator, the sink and the cook top as the points of the triangle. Ideally, design each triangle leg to add up between 12 and 26 feet in length. The galley kitchen makes all the points of the work triangle accessible. One of the best ways to organize the space is to have the sink and refrigerator on one wall and the range on the opposite wall.
Efficiency
The galley kitchen can also incorporate many things that other larger kitchens have, such as a small peninsula at the end of one leg or a pass-through counter space or window to allow for eating areas. Design the kitchen to have a mixture of open and closed cabinetry to help keep the kitchen from looking and feeling claustrophobic. An example would be to having the pots hanging over the range underneath the hood to allow for storage and easy access.
Lighting
Lighting is also a major design element that needs to be incorporated in the design. Proper lighting in a galley kitchen can help the space function better. There should be a combination of task, ambient, accent and decorative lighting to help serve all your different needs. Often, the lighting can help the kitchen look a larger than it actually is. Blending and layering the different types of lighting will help make the space comfortable and usable. Place task lighting underneath the upper cabinets to help light up the space under them. Place accent lighting above the upper cabinets pointing down toward the cabinets to help light up certain showcase cabinets. Add ambient lighting in between the upper cabinets and the ceiling, if there is room, to create a soft glow around the kitchen.
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