#Galley Kitchen Design and FAQs

By Lee Wallender. Home Renovations Expert

As the ultimate know-nothing beginner, Lee Wallender's first experience with home renovation was remodeling a 100 year-old house.

How To Contact Me

Unfortunately, it has come to the point where I cannot answer readers' individual questions about home remodeling. The backlog has become so great that I feel I cannot adequately serve readers. If you have emergency questions, write to the address below and I will try to answer.

Email: homerenovations@aboutguide.com

Think that galley kitchen has less-than-luxurious connotations?  Yes, the name should be changed, as it evokes images of tiny propane stoves on sailboats (it is often called a corridor-style kitchen, too).

Shifted to land, the galley kitchen is a classic and it s about as ergonomically-correct as you can get.  It works beautifully with your remodeling --and your eventual cooking needs.  Find out why this simple, inexpensive, DIY-able kitchen layout may be just what you need:

Q: What Is It?

A: A galley kitchen is defined as a long, narrow kitchen that has counters on either side of a central walkway. The counters can be interspersed with appliances, sink, cabinetry and other functional items.

Q: What Benefits Does This Layout Have?

A: Galley kitchens are, by nature, small. So, you have the cost-saving benefits of size. Also, galley kitchens are ergonomically superior to other kitchen design layouts.

• You save space in your house for other rooms.
• Because countertops are one of the most expensive elements in the kitchen, this cost is drastically minimized.

• The major kitchen services (water, electrical, etc.) are kept together.
• An excellent use of the kitchen triangle design.
• You save money because you can use stock kitchen cabinets.

Q: Can I Remodel My Galley Kitchen Myself?

A: Yes. A typical galley kitchen might range from 100-150 square feet, a very manageable size for a DIY remodeling job.  Because floor space is reduced--most of it taken over by base cabinets--you can probably install the flooring yourself.

Q:  What Are Some Tips?

The galley kitchen can be remodeled much like any other kitchen, but there are a few exceptions.