Would you ever do a galley kitchen in new build?

3 years ago

So I’ve always been drawn to the comforting look of a galley kitchen, but wondering how unrealistic it would actually be. I’ve never had one, so don’t know. Most new builds I’ve seen do the farmhouse kitchen with island and open concept.

A little extra info. I have 4 kids and a dog. We homeschool, so that kitchen island seems appealing. But the GALLEY KITCHEN! Why am I drawn to it? Does anyone actually love theirs? Is it usable for larger families?

Pic is not mine

Featured Answer

darbuka

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

We have a wide galley, eat-in kitchen, and much prefer it to an open concept with island. Sink and rangetop are on the same side, with lots of prep space in between. Fridge is opposite of the sink, just a few steps away. Also on the opposite wall, are the double ovens, baking center with (small) sink in between the ovens and fridge. Microwave on shelf, with Breville toaster oven below, on counter. Kitchen table beyond that. Very efficient…and, two cooks CAN be working at the same time, with one using the baking center.

Past the pantry closets and rangetop, is the laundry room. The kitchen is semi-open. You can see into the den when sitting at the kitchen table. The den can also be accessed by going past the dining room doors and double ovens.

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Comments (9)

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beesneeds
3 years ago
I would do a galley kitchen in a new build if the plans work well for it. I have a galley and I do love it. It helps that half the galley is a half wall, so it opens out to the dining area of the kitchen. Feels more open than a true galley.
dan1888
3 years ago
A galley works well as a single cook kitchen. That means no one else is in the space. This isn't going to happen with kids and a husband. And it closes you off from the rest of the house and whatever everyone else is doing. That surely can be a benefit for doing your cooking in a quiet relaxed atmosphere. With your family setup having some alone space and time can be a necessary luxury. Maybe something outside for the kids to play would help.
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Helen
3 years ago
A galley kitchen provide a very efficient work space as you can configure so that you are close to the refrigerator, sink (prep area) and stove.

However there are ways to configure a galley kitchen so that it is more open - e.g. many galley kitchens have a peninsula or section that has no uppers and can be use as a breakfast bar.

Also what is wrong with the very classic eat in kitchen. My friend has that configuration with a large wide space for a kitchen table and the rest of the working area being two walls. The aisle is quite wide and so more than two cooks can work in that space - I know because I have often cooked with her as we like to spend time sometimes trying out elaborate dishes where a "sous" is helpful.
wishiwereintheup
3 years ago
They can work. A big problem with the versions from 40 years ago or more is the bad habit of tacking on a small dining space to make an eat-in kitchen that only has enough room around the table to seat 2 with anyone else trapped behind the table. With a large family, make sure the dining space is large enough.

If you aren't doing an eat-in kitchen and plan on a separate dining room, that can work too. Open concept has a lot of pros but also some cons. A smaller, closed off kitchen can hide the pots, pans and mess after cooking a large meal which leads to a more relaxed dining experience.
Mrs Pete
3 years ago
Lots of people are doing galley kitchens these days; the "updated version" is a single wall of cabinets + a large island. It's just a galley without a second wall.

Having had a galley kitchen, I'll say DON'T go too wide. Your two cabinet runs should be no more than 5' apart, or they won't work well together.

If you're drawn to this style, build it. I personally love U-shaped kitchens, which aren't popular right now either.
heatheron40
3 years ago
We had a traditional one and I hated it. Not really enough room for anyone to help. I always felt like I was in a bowling alley. I have an L now and love it. DH can actually load the dishwasher while I cook!
palimpsest
3 years ago
I agree. Many kitchens now are a galley, with an island on one side instead of uppers an lowers with a wall behind them.
mcarroll16
3 years ago
You're drawn to galleys because they are a great layout. Efficient and practical. A galley with 48" between the two sides lets two cooks work together easily. And what everyone else said about using an island or peninsula as one "wall" of your galley if you want to. Best of all worlds.