A typical galley kitchen often has only one built-in unit or cupboard to house all the essentials: the fridge, stove, and sink. Also common to many small kitchens are awkward angles, insufficient work space, and little natural light. That said, these tiny kitchenettes also have their advantages: kitchen units usually don’t take up much space and can visually enrich the room. If you have to live with a small kitchen, don’t despair, but stop and think a little more carefully about its function and appearance. The first step in the right direction is to give your galley kitchen the same expectations as you would have a full-sized kitchen. If designed correctly, you’ll have enough space to make magic while cooking, and colorful cabinet fronts, patterned wallpapers, and sophisticated materials can turn your kitchen into a space where you can express your design creativity.
Contemporary Kitchen: 5 Ideas for Perfect Furnishings and Amenities for a Small Kitchen
#1 This Compact Kitchen Uses Custom-Designed Multi-Purpose Elements
Multifunctionality is the magic word in this micro-apartment, measuring just 118 square feet. Though the square footage is small, the available space is maximized thanks to customized fixtures. “The challenge was to create enough space for a fully functional kitchen, a bathroom with shower, dining and living areas, and a cozy bedroom in just 118 square feet,” says Berlin-based interiors firm Studio.kejo. A small kitchenette with a refrigerator, sink, shelves, and drawers under the stairs is stocked with everything guests need to cook their own meals. The unit's 10.5-foot-high ceilings help fit all of the kitchen's programs into a small space.
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#2 Rounded arches create a sense of depth
The kitchen in this tiny apartment is crafted with precision down to the last detail. Rounded arches hint at an unusual character. The cupboard doors hinge in the middle, rather than on the outside of the frame as is customary. In this way, the architects also gained a bit of valuable storage space. The fixtures are from Leroy-Merlant. What's more, bright accents create clear zones: the dining area is a deep blue, the kitchenette is a soft peach and the tiny bathroom is a neutral white, with doors that have a mirror finish on both sides. These charming effects make it easy to forget how small the apartment is.
#3 Minimalist Metal Kitchen
Despite being just over 600 square feet and spanning two floors, the couple's apartment exudes a sense of visual calm and balance. The galley kitchen is divided into two modules that surround a sculptural, hand-plastered table. The worktop is in aged limestone with carved edges. The upper part of the wall was left unplastered, which also adds to the textural diversity and visually increases the space. For the rest of the room, however, the architects opted for a warm, off-white palette that blends beautifully with the kitchen's cooler metallic elements.
