Would you ever do a galley kitchen in new build?

last year

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

last year

last modified: last year

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)

beesneeds
last year
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
last year
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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In your latest, while the pantry access from the kitchen won't be quite as convenient, I think it will work. I think it's better than the one with only one entrance. Plus, it gives you a shortcut from the garage to the Garden room w/o having to go through the kitchen - which I can almost guarantee that people would do - and that they would cut through the main workspace instead of going around the island. I like it! I also like the idea of the appliance pass through - which makes me wonder if you could also use it as a staging area for things you want from the pantry to cut down on the amount of running around to the side door with your arms full - you might want to make it another foot or two wider to use it that way. Will the pass through have a door to hide the appliances from view when not in use (and to hide the interior of the pantry)? I do have two concerns about the pantry: #1 - You don't appear to have much real storage space. Do you really need that sink in there? I'd rather see that wall be all shelving for food storage. If you really want a sink, then put it on the opposite wall. Make the wall that's shared with the kitchen a row of cabs + counter with the sink. It would also make it easier for the pass through idea. #2 - The refrigerator & Freezer locations...First, the refrigerator may not open fully b/c it's against the wall and it might not quite fit b/c of the door frame/trim. You will need at least 6" b/w the wall and the refrigerator to allow it open fully - and then it will be opening into the doorway. Second, how wide is that aisle b/w the refrigerator and freezer handles and the opposite wall? You don't want to have a "pinch" point there since you will exiting with items in your hands/arms. I would try for at least 45". So, how much space do you really need in your office? I know that when I work from home, I rarely take up more space than that needed for a desk to hold my laptop + two large monitors + notebook space (yes, I still take hand-written notes!) You might want to take another foot or so of depth on the "bottom" to add to the pantry to give you a wider aisle. Inside the pantry, I would add another 6", at least, to the refrigerator/freezer wall so you can put a 6" pullout or similar b/w the refrigerator and wall. Idea! Why not take 13.5" and... From the wall, add 1.5" filler (to clear the door trim) Then, 12" pullout for brooms, etc. Then, refrigerator & freezer Then, shelving Finally, eliminate the "Broom" cabinet on the bottom and use that for more cab/counter space in the pantry.
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Helen
last year
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
last year
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
last year
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
last year
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
last year
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
last year
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.

Would you ever do a galley kitchen in new build?

darbuka

Comments (9)

beesneeds

dan1888

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