When you have a galley kitchen in your home, you want to decorate it not only in terms of style but so that you’re utilizing all the available space in that small area. There are many decorating techniques you can use to make your galley kitchen, not only appear larger, but also be more functional for you. Read on to discover some great tips for decorating your galley kitchen to make it work best for you.
Maximize Your Vertical Space
When creating a galley kitchen that’s both stylish and functional, you need to be sure that you’re utilizing all the available space—and this includes any vertical space you might have. You may be wasting a lot of space in your galley kitchen if you don’t have kitchen cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling.
If you have cabinets that don’t extend all the way up, then reclaim that space by using those cabinets as a shelf and placing items on top of them. You can use baskets or bins to store kitchen items you might not use very often. If you don’t need all that storage space, then add a plant or display some beautiful dishes there to add some style to the room.
Add Plenty of Light
Most galley kitchens dead-end into a wall and thus tend to be dark. This is why it’s so important to have plenty of light in the kitchen. If there’s a window in the room, you need to be sure that your window treatments are allowing adequate light to filter in. Overhead lighting is also a great idea for a galley kitchen. Even better, go with track lighting. This way you can aim the light where you want it in the kitchen.
Make Kitchen Supplies Work Double Duty
Instead of purchasing décor items to hang on the wall, consider using your kitchen supplies instead. This is a great space-saver. You already need the kitchen supplies, so why not put them on display as well.
You might choose to display your nice dishes on a shelf in the kitchen. By hanging decorative or monogrammed kitchen towels on the stove or even on a peg on the wall, you can have both a towel and a décor item for the room. By getting creative in how you display your kitchen supplies, you’ll be able to save both space and money.
Choose Lighter Colors for the Kitchen’s Décor
You want to stay away from dark colors when painting the walls of your kitchen and choosing the main color scheme, as most galley kitchens tend to be on the small side. An important rule of thumb to remember is that dark colors painted on the walls make a room look much smaller, whereas lighter colors can make the room look bigger.
A neutral color such as cream or white will work well for the walls of your kitchen. It’s also advisable to stay away from dark cabinets and countertops. For instance, a black granite countertop may not look the best in a galley kitchen. Black appliances are also not a great idea. Instead, go with white or even stainless steel.
If you have a small galley kitchen in your home, you may find it challenging to decorate. By keeping these tips in mind and infusing your own personal style into the room, your kitchen will look a whole lot nicer and will be much more functional as well.
About the Author
Leon Tuberman has been in the home furnishings and interior design industry for four decades. He owns and manages his family owned furniture store. They carry a large selection of American made solid oak furniture for your living room, dining room and bedroom. Whether you’re looking for a oak end table for your living room or a wood bookcase for your home office then they have everything you need.