What Is A Long Narrow Kitchen Called?

If you’re working with a long, narrow space, you might be wondering what kind of kitchen layout suits it best. We asked Megan, one of the kitchen designers at Brisbane’s Modern Kitchens Northside, to explain what that layout is called—and how it works.

Q: What do you call a long, narrow kitchen?

Megan: It would be a galley kitchen if it’s two walls, long and narrow. That’s a classic galley. Sometimes, you could have a long, narrow kitchen that’s just one wall plus an island. Technically, that’s still a galley, but it looks a lot bigger and a lot more open.

Q: And what about kitchens with just one wall of cabinetry, are they still galleys?

Megan: Yeah, I guess you could still call it that. Or it might just be one wall plus an island. But generally, if there’s benchtop on both sides, that’s when we’d really call it a galley kitchen.

Q: So which layout works best for a narrow kitchen?

Megan: A galley style kitchen.

Q: Where did the galley kitchen design come from?

Megan: Traditionally, it came from a boat. The kitchen in a boat is called a galley. You’d have cabinetry on two sides in a small space. That’s really where the layout comes from.

Q: What are the pros and cons of a galley kitchen?

Megan: The downside is they can be quite small. But the bonus is they tend to be really well laid out. You’d usually have your wet area—your sink, dishwasher, and bin system—on one side. Then your hot area—your oven and cooktop—on the other. Food storage often goes at one end. So they’re actually very functional kitchens.

Want to know if a galley kitchen is right for your home?

Visit the Modern Kitchens Northside Brisbane kitchen showroom in Lawnton for a free consult with our design team. We’ll help you find the best layout for your space. Call the team today on 07 3889 9054

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