Galley kitchens present a unique storage challenge with their narrow floorplans. While galley kitchens are space-efficient, their limited footprint makes organizing kitchen items and food a headache. Cabinets and countertops fill up fast, leading to clutter and frustration.
But with some clever cabinet layouts and storage solutions, it’s possible to maximize every inch of space in your galley kitchen.
The Struggles of Galley Kitchen Storage
Galley kitchens get their name from their long, corridor-like shape. While they make excellent use of space, their narrow dimensions significantly limit storage capacity. Appliances, prep areas, and storage spaces all have to fit within the tight confines of the galley floorplan.
It’s a constant battle to fit pots, pans, dishes, food staples, small appliances, and more within the existing cabinetry and drawers. The lack of storage space often leads to disorganization and clutter as items stack up without a proper home.
The Benefits of Optimizing Your Galley Kitchen Cabinet Layout
Carefully planning your galley kitchen’s cabinet layout helps you make the most of every nook, cranny, and vertical space available. The right configuration can make your kitchen appear more open and decluttered while boosting storage capacity.
An optimized galley kitchen storage layout allows you to:
- Maximize every inch of your existing footprint
- Reduce clutter and disorder with a place for everything
- Access items more easily without digging
- Cook and move about more efficiently
- Customize your storage to suit your space and needs
With some strategic changes and clever solutions, it’s amazing how much extra storage you can unlock within your galley kitchen. Let’s look at 12 brilliant galley kitchen cabinet ideas to transform your space.
12 Clever Galley Kitchen Cabinet Layout Ideas
1. Floor-to-Ceiling Corner Cabinet Storage
Galley kitchens often have unused vertical space in corners next to upper cabinets. Maximize these dead spaces by installing floor-to-ceiling corner cabinets. Opt for cabinets with built-in organization systems like:
- Pull-out vertical dividers for cooking pans and lids
- Spinning “lazy Susan” shelves
- Slide-out shelves and trays
Floor-to-ceiling corner storage is brilliant for fitting bulky items like baking pans, trays, mixing bowls, appliances, and more.
2. Wall-Mounted Pot Racks and Pan Organizers
Get bulky pots and pans off your shelves by storing them right on the wall. Wall-mounted pot racks and pan organizer racks free up valuable cabinet real estate. Opt for racks with hooks to hang pans and pots by their handles.
Place your rack right above the stove for easy access while cooking. Or mount it on any wall space available. Don’t forget the lids – mount lid racks or magnet strips to corral loose lids.
3. Under-Cabinet Roll-Out Trays and Shelves
High wall cabinets are notorious for wasted space you can’t reach. Solve this with roll-out trays and shelves that pull out when you need them and tuck away when not in use.
Great for food staples, small appliances, dishes, or anything you access regularly. Just open the cabinet and pull out the shelf for instant access instead of reaching deep inside.
4. Interior Cabinet Organizers and Dividers
Keep cabinets neatly organized with dividers tailored to your storage needs. Options include:
- Adjustable metal shelves
- Sliding plastic bins
- Vertical dividers for baking sheets
- Small bins for spices and food jars
Dividers keep items visible and prevent them from stacking into an avalanche each time you open the cabinet.
5. Hidden Spaces Behind False Drawer Fronts
Can’t fit more drawers? Fake them! Install false drawer fronts to conceal extra storage cubbies behind them. Pull-out trays or shelves work well. Use them for items you don’t need daily access to like extra glasses, seasonal kitchen gear, or specialty cooking tools.
6. Pull-Out Cabinet Spice Racks
Maximize vertical space inside cabinets with pull-out narrow spice racks. Keep spices, oils, condiments, and cooking staples organized and visible instead of hidden away in cabinets.
Pull-out racks allow you to see everything at a glance. Install them in base or upper cabinets. For upper cabinets, choose pull-down racks that swing down for access.
7. Undersink Roll-Out Towel and Cleaning Supply Cabinets
Take advantage of the awkward space under the kitchen sink with roll-out towel and storage units. Keep cleaning supplies, sponges, towels, and more hidden but easily accessible.
Roll-out units are brilliant for using every inch under the sink efficiently. Choose cabinet fronts that blend seamlessly with existing cabinetry.
8. Wall-Mounted Microwave Shelf
Free up precious counter space by mounting your microwave on the wall. Install it at a height that’s ergonomically comfortable for you to access.
Leave open space below for additional open shelving or base cabinets. Just be sure to leave enough clearance so cabinet doors and drawers can open without hitting the microwave.
9. Tiered Wall Cabinets for Extra Storage
Double your wall cabinet storage space by installing upper cabinets. Upper wall cabinets can provide that extra storage boost many galley kitchens need. Just be sure to install them high enough to avoid bumping your head.
For easy access to upper cabinets, use a step stool or install extra tall lower cabinets. Glass-front upper cabinets keep the space feeling open and airy.
10. Open Wall Shelving for Frequently Used Items
Incorporate open wall shelving into your cabinetry design for storing often-used glasses, mugs, plates, and more. Wall shelves provide easy access without cabinet doors in the way.
Plus, they add style and visual appeal. Mix open shelves with closed cabinets to get the best of both worlds.
11. Vertical Corner Cabinets
Take advantage of wasted vertical corner space with floor-to-ceiling vertical corner cabinets. Great for tall and narrow items like baking sheets, cutting boards, brooms, ironing boards, and breakfast cereal.
Vertical corner cabinets maximize every inch of available space. Opt for units with dividers, pull-out shelves, or spinning lazy Susan trays.
12. Slide-Out Cabinet Storage Towers
Narrow, floor-to-ceiling slide-out cabinet units (also called storage towers) are amazing for vertical storage. Ideal for large, flat items like cookie sheets, cutting boards, serving trays, and baking pans.
Slide-out towers make efficient use of vertical space while keeping items easily accessible. Install them anywhere you have some narrow, vertical real estate to fill.
With some creativity and clever storage solutions, even the tiniest galley kitchen can be optimized for maximum space and organization. Use these galley kitchen cabinet layouts to transform your own kitchen.
Many of these clever storage ideas can be customized to suit your unique space and needs. Work with an experienced kitchen designer to come up with smart solutions to tackle your kitchen’s problem areas.
The storage challenges of a narrow galley kitchen can be conquered with strategic cabinets and storage. You’ll gain a kitchen that’s clutter-free, sleek, and able to store all your essentials – with even some room to spare.
