How Do I Update My Old Galley Kitchen?

Do you have a small kitchen you feel like you can’t do much with? The last thing you should feel is limited in your design options—there are plenty of ways to improve galley kitchens or other small spaces. If you can’t or don’t want to build an addition, it’s all about maximizing the room you do have and taking the focus away from the kitchen’s size.

An experienced kitchen designer can help you make the most of your small kitchen, but there are some things you can think about before talking to professionals.

Galley & Small Kitchen Ideas & Plans

If you have a galley kitchen or other type of kitchen with limited space and are getting ready to remodel, we recommend that you think about ways to:

• Maximize the space
• Make the room appear more spacious
• Take the focus away from the size

Maximizing Space

Believe it or not, there are ways to maximize space in kitchens without actually building an addition and expanding. Some ideas include:

• Vertical space maximization—you can increase vertical space and build up, rather than out, with stacked cabinets, hanging pot and pan racks, wall-mounted spice racks, etc.
• Narrow floor-to-ceiling shelving
• Large custom cabinets

Creating Illusion of Space

The best way to make your small kitchen appear more spacious is by using lights. Also, stick with lighter shades like white, pale yellow, tan, etc. Avoid dark colors. Just like in fashion—black and other dark shades slim down and white expands. You can use glass-front cabinets and glass tile backsplash to open up your kitchen as well.

Shifting Focus Away from the Space

Although you want to use lighting to make your kitchen seem bigger than it is, it’s also a good idea to think of ways to shift the attention to things in the kitchen so the small size isn’t the main focus. Fortunately, there a numerous ways to create beautiful focal points:

• Ornate custom cabinetry
• Custom backsplashes with intricate designs
• Windows
• And more

Build the Kitchen You’ve Always Wanted

Here at Jack Rosen, we’ve helped homeowners throughout Maryland, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia create the kitchen of their dreams. A lot of older homes in the DC metropolitan area, especially in the city, have galley kitchens—but space isn’t a problem for our experienced designers. We can work with what you have and design a beautiful kitchen that is fully functional.

You don’t have to feel cramped, uncomfortable, and frustrated in your small kitchen any longer—call us or stop by our showroom today to talk to our award-winning kitchen design team!