A galley kitchen layout is planned out in rows of cabinetry and appliances placed on opposite walls of a narrow space. A galley kitchen layout makes it easy to grab what you need while you prepare a delicious meal since everything is within arm’s reach. However, some homeowners find this kitchen style confining and challenging to navigate due to limited square footage.

In the list below, you can find the most creative galley kitchen ideas that are both practical and stylish at the same time. You don’t need to sacrifice style if you have a galley kitchen. Read on to discover some inspirational design ideas that will get you excited about creating an original kitchen refresh of your own.

Take Advantage of Natural Light

Since galley kitchens have smaller footprints, this designer left the window at the end wall open, allowing the sunlight to pour in. The absence of curtains or blinds encourages natural light to flow into the room, giving the illusion of a larger space.

A large window like this one is typically enough to provide ample lighting during the day. Despite its narrow layout, this beautiful galley kitchen feels big, open, and airy thanks to the design. Note how the wall closest to the window doesn’t have cabinets, helping the space feel less cramped.

The open shelving is attached right above the kitchen backsplash and its location right next to the window makes it ideal for a green plant.

via Historiska Hem

Integrate Open Shelving

Open shelving adds storage while helping galley kitchens look roomier. However, there are still kitchen cabinets on one wall, offering plenty of hidden storage for cooking essentials in this sage green kitchen.

The use of a beautiful green color helps this kitchen feel light and bright. Regardless of its galley layout, the space looks functional and beautiful all in one. This design proves that even in small spaces, you can still enjoy lots of functionality.

Not that the cabinetry on the left side starts more narrow, to give this galley kitchen a more spacious look and feel. The open shelving is painted in the same color as the kitchen cabinets for a beautiful effect against the limewash walls.

Styled by Anna Van Keppel, photographed by Mia Borgelin, for sale via Historiska Hem

Maximize the Use of a Narrow Space

Despite this being a narrow galley kitchen, there’s still enough room to cook and eat. At the end of the room is an extension of the counter that creates a bar top along with stools for a nice breakfast nook which gives this galley kitchen two functions in one.

A plethora of countertops provide lots of surface area so the homeowner can prep, cook, and eat without running out of room. Even though this is a small galley kitchen, there’s ample space to do everything you need here without feeling cramped.

The upper cabinets don’t continue up to the ceiling, making the space feel larger and allowing the white ceilings to bounce light back into the small space.

via deVOL Kitchens

Use Neutral Tones for Versatility

When brainstorming galley kitchen ideas, using the right colors will make a big impact. This interior designer opted for butcher block countertops and a soft color palette to make the kitchen feel larger. White walls, floors, and upper cabinets help to give it an airy feel.

Thanks to the open floor plan in this home, the galley kitchen opens to another room with a dining table and chairs, adding to the functionality. A beautiful rose pink color on the wall helps to separate the two spaces, even though they’re technically connected.

The wood tone of the butcher block countertops comes back in the small glass cabinet on the wall, which is a nice and elegant touch. Even though the kitchen doesn’t get any direct natural light, by selecting a light floor and white cabinetry, the galley kitchen still looks light and bright.

via Stadshem

Use Built-Ins for Extra Storage

This small galley kitchen has a distinctively modern style thanks to the use of bold colors and contemporary finishes. The navy blue pantry and cabinets and the white built-ins on the opposite wall offer loads of extra storage for everything from plates and cookware to spices.

The design here proves that you don’t need to have an all-white kitchen to enjoy a functional space. An open floor plan offers enough room for a separate eating area. It also helps to make a tight space feel much more open.

Styled by Emma Fisher, photographed by Anders Bergstedt for Alvhem

Add a Feature Wall

Bold patterned kitchen wallpaper on a feature wall draws the eye toward this modern galley kitchen. A white backsplash with subway tile adds to the high-end aesthetic. Many galley kitchens have a plain, basic design, but not here.

Dark base cabinets ground the room, while modern hardware and solid surface marble countertops give it a luxe vibe. Integrating lots of greenery on an assortment of open shelves makes this galley kitchen feel cozy yet contemporary for an eye-catching finishing touch.

via Alvhem

Keep it Light

White can make a small space feel larger and this galley kitchen design uses white combined with a very muted sage green to do just that. Under cabinet lighting adds functionality and a warm glow for cooking and entertaining.

A transom window that likely opens to a living area brings a visually elongating effect to this chic galley kitchen. Even with small layouts, this design shows you can still enjoy a versatile space while maintaining a sense of style.

The side of the galley kitchen cabinetry has a light wood built-in shelf that offers a small storage module next to the dining area.

via Entrance Makleri

Make it Minimalist

Simple kitchen designs are often the most effective. This ultra-modern galley kitchen features flat panel cabinets to reduce the appearance of visual clutter. An extra lower cabinet on the end doubles as a comfy seat, adding even more versatility to this modern space.

Since the colors are similar for the cabinets and counters, it creates a cohesive look. Rather than opting for classic white cabinets, the designer chose a subtle, earthy color instead.

Styled and photographed by Therese Jahnson for Historiska Hem

Combine a Variety of Materials to Add Texture

Even if you have a galley kitchen, it doesn’t have to be boring. In this design, a blend of different materials creates a visual feast and a nice juxtaposition between natural and modern elements. Wood countertops on one side play beautifully with the higher-end marble countertops on the other.

The tile backsplash on one side distinguishes the two walls, and the other is simply painted white. High ceilings also give the illusion of a much larger space. There’s also plenty of counter space for small appliances and other kitchen must-haves.

Photographed by Jonas Berg for Entrance Makleri

Add Personal Touches to Make a Galley Kitchen Unique

This chic galley kitchen boasts an ultra-modern vibe with a unique gallery wall for a pop of personality. Utilizing the plain wall at one end for artwork allows the homeowner to showcase their personal collection, giving it a one-of-a-kind look.

Stainless steel appliances and shades of gray also help to make this galley kitchen appear more modern. Industrial-inspired statement lighting above the sink adds functionality and a fresh, contemporary touch.

via Entrance Makleri

Take Advantage of Windows

Even with minimal floor space, you can still maximize your galley kitchen’s functionality. For example, the large window in this kitchen makes a perfect area for a dining table and chairs which transforms the space into an eat-in galley kitchen.

The more things you can do in the kitchen, the more you can maximize any available space. White is the base color in this room, while the black dining chairs and light wood decor bring a fun and creative element. If you want to spice things up, you could easily replace the existing rug with a colorful runner for a playful pop.

Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Jonas Berg for Stadshem

Keep Things Simple

Although this galley kitchen is larger than most, the interior designer chose to keep things simple. A large arched window allows the light to bounce off reflective surfaces like the white floors.

Brass hardware for the sink brings this kitchen a fun, sleek component as well as the wall shelving on the opposite side. This design demonstrates that you can add other things to your kitchen including decorative accessories and wall art without being excessive.

via Stadshem

Hide Items Out of View

A large pantry on one end of this galley kitchen and lots of lower cabinets give the homeowner tons of storage. Instead of placing small appliances on top of the counters, they’ve chosen to keep them hidden from view until they’re needed.

Cutting out clutter makes even the most narrow galley kitchen look roomy. The taller upper cabinets on the pantry help maximize vertical space to provide even more convenient storage for coffee mugs, dinner plates, and other important dining essentials.

via Nordiska Kök

Be Smart with Your Layout

if your kitchen is long and narrow, one of the best galley kitchen ideas is to design a smart, efficient layout. Here, one end of the counters has been cut short, adding more space for a small table and chairs instead.

By “chopping up” the layout, it gives this galley kitchen extra room to enjoy eating breakfast and other meals. Large lower cabinets and deep drawers also help to maximize space for the storage of bulky items like pots and pans.

via Entrance Makleri

Install Task Lighting in a Narrow Galley kitchen

This kitchen has a challenging layout, so the designer opted to implement extra task lighting. By installing some lighting above the sink and a section of the countertops, the kitchen is much brighter, especially at night when no light is coming from the window.

The more lighting you have in a room, the larger it will feel. This is especially important in a small galley kitchen since you’ll need to be able to see what you’re doing while you cook.

via Alexander White

Make it Elegant

Galley kitchen ideas can be as elegant and dramatic as you like. In this kitchen, the homeowner chose a beautiful white farmhouse sink and marble countertops.

Black cabinets and a black hood fan bring drama to this small yet sweet cooking space. Glass doors on some of the upper cabinets also help to make the space look and feel a bit larger.

via Alvhem

Ditching wall cabinets and going for kitchens without upper cabinets has a minimal and modern effect on a kitchen interior and allows you to work with open shelving in your kitchen remodel to finish off your kitchen walls.

Since you lose the storage space that would otherwise be provided by the wall cabinets a kitchen without upper cabinets is typically easier to achieve in a kitchen space with a bigger floor plan, as you can work with ample lower cabinets to provide you with enough storage opportunity.

In the list below, you can find a selection of my favorite kitchens without upper cabinets in different layouts, floor plans, settings, and color palettes for you to get inspired.

A spacious kitchen without upper cabinets to accentuate room height

In a spacious kitchen with high ceilings, it makes sense to ditch the upper cabinets if you can find a place to store your pots, appliances, and other kitchen items. A low layout will make the space appear even higher and the combination of the three pendant lights in varying height above the dining table accentuate the tall room even more.

via Nordiska Kök

A wide kitchen layout without upper cabinets

The absence of upper cabinets in this beautiful natural wood kitchen makes the space feel larger and the combination with the aesthetically pleasing dining area in different wood tones works well in this kitchen design where the materials themselves are the focal point. The range hood and the beautiful piece of art are the only elements on the wall in this kitchen living space.

via Superfront

A corner kitchen layout with storage space in the bottom kitchen cabinets

This kitchen is planned out in a corner layout with a kitchen island in the middle of the space. The different lower kitchen modules are great to maximize storage space so that the wall space can be kept minimal, with the exception of the white range hood and two elegant wall lamps.

via Nordiska Kök

A wall shelf instead of upper kitchen cabinets in between two windows

This beautiful corner kitchen layout has two windows that add a lot of natural light, which makes adding upper cabinets rather challenging. Instead, lower cabinetry is paired with wall shelves that can hold serving dishes, dinner plates, and serving bowls mixed with a beautiful selection of wall art on the top shelf.

Photographed by Lisa Wikstrand , styled by Helen Sturesson and Johanna Wikstrand Moresco for Kulladal

An awkward floor plan with a blue kitchen without wall cabinets

The blue kitchen cabinets have been adjusted to this rather awkward floor plan, which would look much too heavy with upper cabinets. Open shelving is added to the niche spaces in the wall to store easily accessible kitchen items.

via &Schufl

A kitchen island provides extra cabinets and drawers on the back

This spacious kitchen with light oak kitchen cabinets includes a large kitchen island with seating and a long module of lower drawers and cabinets. The white marble countertop and backsplash add an elegant touch to the one wall on the back where the black task lighting adds a wonderful contrast.

via Ballingslōv

The absence of upper cabinets allows for extra wall space for a beautiful floating shelf

Rather than trying to fit wall units in the small wall space available above the sink, this beautiful kitchen has been fitted with a floating shelf that adds visual interest to the kitchen design. Since the sloped ceiling makes the room feel smaller, this is a great solution to create the illusion of more space.

via Nordiska Kök

Practical high cupboards on the side eliminate the need for upper cabinets

When you are worried the drawers and cabinets on the lower half of the layout won’t suffice to store all your plates, dishes, and appliances, a tall wall of cupboards like in the kitchen example below is great for functionality and it allows you to keep the rest of the kitchen free of wall cabinets.

via Himlekök

Dark kitchens without upper cabinets look lighter and more balanced

A dark kitchen with upper cabinets can easily become too heavy visually, so leaving out the upper cabinets in this case will make your design appear lighter, especially when combined with white walls like in the example below.

via Nordiska Kök

A long kitchen module underneath a sloped roof

This space requires a bottom kitchen layout and the long module of drawers provides a place for each and every kitchen detail. By painting the wall in an eye-catching color, the space becomes interesting and the fact that there is less space available is not so apparent anymore.

via &Schufl

An off-white shaker kitchen without upper cabinets

The off-white shaker cabinets in this beautiful kitchen have been paired with tall cupboards on the side for extra storage, yet no upper cabinets have been added to keep the look light and airy. The tin floating shelf above the sink is great for displaying ceramics.

via Nordiska Kök

A galley kitchen without upper cabinets

This galley kitchen layout provides lower cabinets on both sides, allowing for the upper area to be kept free of upper cabinets. This way, the accent pendant lights above the sink get all the attention they deserve.

via Reform CPH

A spacious kitchen with historic details and dark cabinets

Ditching wall cabinets in this historic kitchen was a great design choice, as the wall and ceiling features, dark cabinetry, and herringbone flooring get all the attention they deserve. The area above the sink is filled with a black marble backsplash, wainscoting, and black accent wall lamps.

via Nordiska Kök

A bamboo kitchen without upper cabinet space accentuates the high ceilings in this townhouse

This kitchen is located in a historic townhouse with high ceilings, which are accentuated even more because of the absence of wall cabinets. The wall above the counter is filled with an elegant wall lamp and an open shelf to display a selection of beautiful ceramics.

Styled by Michiel Bosman, kitchen by Ask Og Eng

A small kitchen inside a niche space without upper cabinets

In this small niche kitchen, the combination of tall cupboards and lower cabinetry allows for a practical layout that is light and airy at the same time. The natural stone countertops stand out against the white cabinetry and they complement the beige limestone flooring beautifully.

via Nordiska Kök

Kitchens without upper cabinets work great in larger floor plans

In small spaces, you have to take every opportunity to provide storage, which often means a kitchen without upper cabinets is challenging. If you can work with a large floor plan, you might not need the extra space on the wall for upper cabinets, which will make your kitchen appear lighter. Especially in rooms with lower ceiling height, this can be such a great design decision.

kitchen by Ask Og Eng

A long peg rail rather than wall cupboards to complement the lower cabinets

This elegant kitchen without upper cabinets has been fitted from wall to wall with an impressive oak wood peg rail which provides a true focal point in this kitchen design. The white-soaped oak of the lower cabinets complements nicely with the warmer wood tone on the peg rail for a beautiful effect in this cozy kitchen design with a white marble countertop.

via DeVol kitchens

Open shelves make up for less storage in the kitchen

Open shelves are a great alternative for wall cabinets, however, if you are worried your kitchen items or appliances will gather dust, you can use the shelves for decor items only. Just like in the example below, open shelves are great for a fresh green plant as well.

via Nordiska Kök

An attic kitchen with open shelving in the same material as the backsplash

When your kitchen is fitted underneath a sloped roof, it’s often not a possibility to fit in wall cabinets. This kitchen design pairs white kitchen cabinets with beautiful grey marble countertops and a backsplash that also comes back in the material of the open shelves for an integrated effect.

via Nordiska Kök

A long brass rail replaces the upper cabinets in a yellow shaker kitchen

This beautiful yellow kitchen from deVol features a pretty brass rail where you can hang your most used items. Above the rail, three beautiful vintage pendants provide the area above the sink with light and I’m a big fan of the classic shaker cabinetry which usually looks rather heavy, yet without upper cabinets the kitchen still looks light and balanced.

via DeVol kitchens

Kitchens without upper cabinets allow for art and decor elements on the wall

This modern, minimal kitchen with dark wood cabinets and white terrazzo countertops has tall cupboards for storage, yet the absence of wall cabinets above the kitchen sink allows a beautiful artwork on eye level paired with a white wall lamp that complements the countertop and small backsplash.

via Nordiska Kök