IN THE GALLEY

NAMED AFTER THE SPACE-EFFICIENT SHIP’S KITCHEN, THIS POPULAR LINEAR LAYOUT IS DESIGNED TO WORK WITH ERGONOMIC EASE

- LINDA CLAYTON

USING EVERY INCH

‘I love a classic galley kitchen,’ enthuses Seattle-based designer Heidi Caillier. ‘They just feel so intimate and special, and there is something very appealing about them practically. They force you to be thoughtful in how you lay out every inch, and I also like the mentality of using ALL of your kitchen versus just that one corner between the range and the sink.’ In the right colours, in this case Farrow & Ball’s French Gray, Heidi also believes that galley kitchens can feel really cosy, ‘like a warm, inviting cocoon’. A mix of cabinets and open shelves will ensure it feels light and airy.

Bespoke Shaker-style kitchen by Heidi Caillier Design. For similar in the UK, try Plain English, kitchens start at £50,000

LAYING LOW

Keeping walls cabinet-free at eye-level can make a galley kitchen appear wider. It’s also more comfortable to use worktops without cabinets looming above, so you won’t waste an inch of prep space. Position any tall storage required, e.g. fridge-freezers or larders, at the entrance to the room and you’ll naturally look past them. ‘We deliberately avoided upper cabinetry to avoid closing in the airiness of the room. It also gives the original ceiling cornicing and architraves more breathing space,’ explains designer Jack Trench. ‘The base units are deeper than standard to maximise storage and counter space.’

FRESHEN UP