15 Kitchen Ideas to Maximize Space and Style

Galleys originated on ships, and a long and narrow layout was necessary, but they were also popular in small homes due to their space-saving design. The limited area means that they are lacking in space and can be made up for in terms of functionality.

If you’re planning to remodel or renovate your kitchen, there are plenty of ways to make a compact kitchen style work for you. The two main factors to consider are functional storage and maximizing space so that you can cook and move around efficiently. In most kitchens, the solution is to utilize as much vertical storage space as possible. After that, it’s all about style.

To inspire a new look in your kitchen, we’ve rounded up our favorite kitchen kitchens in a variety of styles, from modern to traditional.

01. Kitchenette

Small kitchens were a feature of pre-war apartments, when domestic kitchens had fewer and smaller appliances. If you use a similar layout, you can get plenty of space by restricting the upper cabinets and painting everything above the waist in light colors.

02. Open Kitchen Layout

If you’re remodeling your kitchen or starting from scratch, take the best part of classic style – compact features – and combine it with a modern, open-plan layout. Put all appliances and storage space into the kitchen layout to create more space for the dining room and living area.

03.Rustic Galley Kitchen

Natural wood panels instantly create a farmhouse feel when used as kitchen shelves, and they can provide ample storage space in place of upper cabinets. This is a smart way to create more space in your kitchen layout. Other farmhouse touches in this kitchen include white stacked walls and natural pine floors.

04. Maximize Ceiling Height

This butler’s kitchen demonstrates the main rule of the kitchen: maximizing vertical storage. Sky-high blue cabinets feature full-length glass panels to protect and display the contents inside. And, if you’re looking to catch the eye, consider putting on a show. This metal ceiling adds more warmth and light to the room.

05. Mix Cabinets

Kitchens are known for parallel cabinets, but there is no rule to use the same cabinets everywhere. Mixing cabinet styles can feel more relaxed and is a way to bring more personality into the kitchen. Here, the same style of natural wood and dark green cabinetry form a harmonious match.

06.Updated Galley Kitchen

Elevate the simple kitchen kitchen by updating the finishes. Painting cabinetry, adding a new backsplash, or updating flooring are all ways to make this classic kitchen layout feel more like you. Here, updated finishes in natural pastel tones come together to create a soothing modern kitchen.

07. Modern Galley Kitchen

This modern kitchen with low ceilings has a boat-like feel. You can amplify the modern style by focusing on raw materials with clean lines and a plain style, as these homeowners do. Natural wood is the main source here, supplemented by steel beams and electrical appliances.

08. Add Height

Although the footprint is small, the kitchen feels open and spacious thanks to the vaulted ceilings and skylights. If you live in a single-story home or are designing a small new building, this may be an option for you.

09. Modern Industrial Style

The galley starts on board, which makes this all-steel industrial-style galley feel like a fit. Deep hanging shelves provide ample upper storage space without the sometimes oppressive feeling of upper cabinetry.

10. Choose Open Shelves

The kitchen may feel like a cupboard hallway, but it’s not. You can skip the upper cabinets altogether and even change the type of shelving used, as shown here, to create more rhythm and variety in your design. The tactile touch of natural wood here breaks down the original black and white color scheme, creating a calming aesthetic.

11.Galley Kitchen Refresh

The upper cabinetry of a traditional kitchen extends all the way to the ceiling to make the most of the typical small space. When planning a renovation, consider changing the style of your cabinets to suit your desired aesthetic. Here, Shaker cabinetry is decorated with moulding and combined with beadboard ceilings and subway tile backsplashes for a traditional, timeless kitchen design that’s also very functional.

12.Modern Farmhouse Galley Kitchen

Older kitchens may feel dated, but this one proves that you can make it feel fresh and modern with just a few tweaks. By repurposing farmhouse elements in new ways, such as beadboards, natural wood, and even linoleum tiles, the kitchen feels anything but old-fashioned.

13. Traditional Kitchen

Every detail of this kitchen works together to create a timeless and traditional look. The mud-gold shaker-style cabinetry and apron-style front sink were the stars of the show, while details like brass hardware and period-appropriate lighting made everything feel just right. The combination of open shelving and upper cabinetry provides practical storage space and the opportunity to display your favourite items.

14. Kitchen Design

The length of the kitchen is part of its charm, and you can enhance this feature by using rugs or chutes, countertops, paint, and more in your design. Here, a dark sink and stove were chosen to blend in with the counter as much as possible, forming two parallel long lines leading to the breakfast corner.

15. Custom Kitchen Storage

This kitchen showcases custom depth cabinetry, which provides the necessary storage space while providing plenty of room to move around. The narrow gallery shelves above are another way to complement this style kitchen.