Everyone Needs to Stop Ragging on the Galley Kitchen
I have watched a lot of HGTV. From House Hunters to Fixer Upper, I’ve listened to way too many soon-to-be homeowners describe their dream properties. Everyone wants character and charm, updated bathrooms, hardwood floors, and an open kitchen. I’m with them until this last item — I’m 100 percent Team Galley Kitchen.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone lust after a galley kitchen, which is instead considered an outdated “problem area” in older homes. Sure, they can be narrow and maybe feel a little closed off — but the pros heavily outweigh the cons.
Galley-style kitchens get a lot of hate. And I don’t get it! I love them for practical and personal reasons; the style reminds me of my grandma’s strawberry-wallpapered kitchen, tucked away behind a set of swinging doors.
Here are just a few reasons why the galley is truly the best kind of kitchen.
1. It’s easier to hide the mess.
I enjoy entertaining, but I never leave myself enough time to completely clean up before guests start arriving. Instead of leaving dirty dishes out in the open, they’re at least semi-hidden in the confines of my galley kitchen. And if you need to get away from your guests for a few minutes, YOU can also hide for a minute or three.
2. The smells stay where they’re supposed to.
Galley kitchens are totally separate from dining and living areas. Which means, if you make something stinky — even in a small apartment — you won’t smell it while you’re laying in bed later.
3. The layout makes me feel like a culinary pro.
Let me tell you, narrow kitchens make me feel like a Top Chef. I love having countertops on either side of me when I’m prepping veggies or mixing cake batter because there’s usually plenty of counter space. And most galley-style kitchens utilize the “kitchen triangle” — a triangular path between the sink, oven, and fridge (It’s more than just a clever name!) that makes us more efficient.
4. There’s usually A TON of cabinet space.
Thanks to a hallway-like layout, you’ll get two (sometimes three!) walls of cabinetry. I love when a space capitalizes on its storage potential, and galley kitchens almost always deliver. I have never had a galley kitchen that DIDN’T have enough storage space!
5. It’s a great space to do something different, decor-wise.
I love this kitchen. The rest of this home is impeccably decorated, but the owners let loose in the galley — with chalkboard paint and a blank slate for creativity. Because galley kitchens are their own unique area, you don’t have to worry about matching them with the rest of the house. Instead, you can try something totally different!
Are you Team Galley Kitchen or no? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.