10 Gorgeous Galley Kitchen Designs

In the realm of kitchen design, the galley kitchen can serve as one of the most functional. It sports a bowling-alley configuration with a central aisle, usually boasting facing cabinetry or some such. And it’s often a favourite of smaller set-ups. Because there’s not a lot of square footage to work with, those with a galley kitchen have to be clever about storage, seating and style. Here’s a look at some of our favourites.

Alair Homes Forest Hill

1 / 10

Grainy and Gorgeous

A quartz backsplash and complementary countertops impart a clean-lined feel to this inviting, modernist galley kitchen by Alair Homes Forest Hill, with cabinetry by Blue Shell Construction. We like the use of cubbies and the wood-wall detail to break up the cabinetry, as well as the tonal warmth of the kitchen as a whole.

Dark painted cupboards in galley kitchen

HGTV Canada

2 / 10

Dive Deep

Designer Jillian Harris reached for slate-grey meets blue cabinetry as a beguiling choice for the cabinetry colour in this chic kitchen from an episode of HGTV Canada’s Love It or List It Vancouver. The flat-front cabinetry doesn’t distract from the more fussy oblong tile and we’re here for it.

HGTV

3 / 10

Snappy Seating

Terminating the galley kitchen in a banquette was a smart move by HGTV’s Home Town duo Ben and Erin Napier. Everything is possible in smaller quarters with planning, even a sweet eat-in spot.

Luxurious white galley kitchen with brass accents

JVL Photography

4 / 10

Luxe Leaning

Lindsay Wolfe of The Home Stylist went luxurious in this gorgeously breezy galley kitchen — see the whole project here. The previous kitchen was a dark alley with a table. Lindsay nixed the table and added a peninsula to the end of the kitchen. Shaker doors, panel-ready appliances and brass hardware round out the look.

Scott Norsworthy

5 / 10

Natural Selection

In this arresting galley-kitchen situation, the architectural firm Great Lake Studio highlighted the beauty of nature indoors and out. Custom oak cabinetry, a marble backsplash with notes of grey and a stone countertop are earthy and organic components of the project.

Liz Davidson

6 / 10

She’s Got Personality

A 750-square-foot house wasn’t about to stop the couple behind The Lil Red House from creating the cutest galley kitchen in town. The kitchen came to life with charming green-painted cabinetry (that’s Benjamin Moore’s High Park) and brass hardware and rugs sourced from Etsy. Herringbone floors and ceiling rafter details add that special something-something. (Ditto the adorable doggo.)

White galley kitchen with small mounted seating area

Ashton Renovations

7 / 10

The White House

Sometimes installing cabinetry on both sides of a galley kitchen can feel claustrophobic. The solution? Opt for a fresh white palette (and gorgeous brass pulls and quartz) and break up the closed storage by building a slim desk area. Put a shelf above it and pretty lighting and you’re all set! Read more about this main-floor makeover by Ashton Renovations here.

Cynthia Zamaria

8 / 10

Raw Power

An antique barley-twist table and raw rafters add countryside rustic flair to the galley kitchen belonging to Cynthia Zamaria, the designer and author of House + Flower. There’s never a boring moment in Cynthia’s designs! The takeaway: keep your eyes peeled for one-off pieces that bring time-honoured character to a space.

Jessica Cinnamon Design

9 / 10

Charming Character

In this lovely galley kitchen, a black-painted paned window was a brilliant move by designer Jessica Cinnamon. Its graphic presence against the white background pulls the eye to the banquette, which is outfitted in an old-school pedestal table for perfect contrast in the space.

The North Studio

10 / 10

Green Scene

She’s small but mighty! Grey-green flat-panel uppers, cute cubbies and a concealed hood vent are some of the bits that make this galley kitchen by Paige Elizabeth Interiors and Chase David Construction a knockout. We also love the quartz behind the stove and the pale grey subway tile carried right up to the ceiling to keep the kitchen open and airy.