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A galley kitchen layout can work for both larger and smaller kitchens. There are typical designs to select from based on your preferences, budget, and spacing. Incorporating a galley kitchen into your home allows you to maximize functionality and efficiency, regardless of the limited area. Continue reading as the professionals from Forever Builders, the experts in San Diego kitchen additions and remodels, explain what should be included in a galley kitchen as well as errors you should steer clear of throughout the remodeling process.
Seating
Whether you’re adding a breakfast bar, an island, or a peninsula, review the typical seating factors to determine what best suits your style needs. Rectangular or oval islands are often the most popular, but two parallel countertops can run along the opposing walls, leaving an adequate pathway in between.
Depending on the spacing, you might be able to add a wall-mounted fold-out stool-and-table set as well. This is a budget-friendly option many homeowners consider when seeking a great selection of small eating areas.
The environment you’re seeking will typically determine the design option you choose. For example, choose counter-height seating if you’re looking for a more comfortable and casual eating space. However, bar height may be the best choice when entertainment is the preference.
Shelving
The choices for a galley kitchen shelving layout provide homeowners with many benefits, such as an open and airy atmosphere, more vertical spacing, and increased visual appeal. Open, floating, and pull-out pantry shelves are the most common. Access, storage space, look, and cabinet types often determine what suits your layout.
Even when placing everyday items, your shelving allows dishes, utensils, and other items to be conveniently stored. Some layouts will enable you to use shelving to display decorative features and items. For example, if you want to display a family cookbook, you can easily install open shelves and do this. In addition to visual appeal, the cookbook will be available for frequent usage.
Appliances
Refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, stoves, and microwaves are typical appliances in a galley kitchen layout. Contractors generally incorporate these appliances into the design instead of leaving them freestanding. Placement is essential because it increases the odds of maintaining a functional environment.
You should try to keep the distances between the most important appliances—the refrigerator, stove, and sink—as short as possible. This makes it less challenging to prepare meals, clean, and perform other necessary tasks.
Using built-in ovens, microwaves, and other features can increase counter space and lead to a more cohesive overall design. However, the placement will generally depend on layout capabilities and preferences.
What to Avoid
When designing a galley kitchen layout, it’s best to avoid cramped areas. Claustrophobic spacing can reduce storage, make it difficult to move about, and disrupt the overall lighting flow. The objective is to avoid a dark and confined space. Instead, you want a bright area that leads to free movement and easy food preparation.
Working with a San Diego kitchen remodeling contractor can help you select a galley kitchen layout based on your preferences but within a typical structure that never ignores storage capacity needs, spacing, traffic flow, cabinetry, and more. A professional understands what layouts to use and what mistakes to avoid.
By following these guidelines, you can give your galley kitchen a modern, beautiful look that will serve you well for years to come. The Forever Builders team will assist you through every step of your kitchen renovation. San Diego homeowners trust us to provide the most affordable kitchen remodeling services and ensure their visions become reality. From design to completion, we’ll help you create the kitchen you’ve always wanted, meeting all your expectations while keeping your costs within budget. To find out more about our exceptional remodeling services, give one of our friendly team members a call today.