Cramped to Stylish: 9 Long Narrow Kitchen Ideas
Galley kitchens, with their narrow layout, can be challenging to decorate. To avoid a cluttered look, you'll have to carefully consider your furniture, decor, colour palette, and any accents like wallpaper. Doing so will help make daily chores like cooking and cleaning as stress-free as possible. In this post, we'll explore 10 decorating ideas to help make your long kitchen feel more spacious, as well as mistakes to avoid.
What Makes a Long Narrow Kitchen Feel Cramped?
Your design choices strongly impact the look and feel of your kitchen. To create a space that feels airy and inviting rather than cramped and uncomfortable, you'll need to avoid decor elements that will cause the room to feel smaller. Although there are always exceptions to the rule, examples of features to steer clear of include:
- Arched, raised, and decorative cupboards
- Dark walls or floors
- Cluttered open shelving
- Poor Lighting
- Uneven flooring
- Cluttered open shelving
9 Unique Galley Kitchen Decorating Ideas
Although a galley kitchen can present unique challenges when styling due to its shape, there are some strategies you can use to help you get the most out of your space. We've included low-cost cosmetic ideas as well as refurbishments (such as replacing cupboards and countertops) to provide you with inspiration for your project.
1) Opt for Chairs that can be Stowed Away
If you have space for a breakfast bar under one of your countertops, opting for space-saving chairs/ stools can be helpful to ensure that they don't take up any additional room in the kitchen. A great option is backless seats like bar stools that can be tucked under the counter when not in use.
2) Place Lighting Strategically
Many narrow kitchens are windowless along the length or end of the room. The lack of natural light can worsen the constricted feel of the space. One way to combat this issue is to introduce additional light sources to the room. In the kitchen shown below, the staggered lights over the window and strip lights along the length of the cupboard help brighten the room and give it a more welcoming appearance.
3) Move your Storage Space Upwards
4) Add Metallic Accents
One effective way to make your kitchen appear more spacious is by incorporating metallic elements into your decor. These items can reflect light and draw the eye around the room, which helps to divert attention from a narrow, linear layout. You can achieve this by replacing cupboard handles with metal ones or adding decorative items (such as the vase below) to your shelves.
5) Use Movable Storage for Flexibility
A great way to increase the amount of usable space in your kitchen is to use portable storage solutions. For instance, wheeled trolleys can be easily stored in a pantry when not needed and rolled out to provide extra space when you require it.
6) Opt for Handleless Cupboards and Drawers
In a small space, cupboard and drawer handles can be a hindrance. They occupy valuable floor space and reduce the available room in your kitchen. Flush, handleless cupboards and drawers provide the same storage capacity without these space limitations.
7) Add Mirrors to Your Space
Mirrors can create the illusion of a larger kitchen. You could place tall mirrors on the walls to make the ceiling seem higher or add a window-style mirror to give the effect of an additional opening within the room.
8) Choose Light Colours for Walls
Dark colours are light-absorbing and can make narrow rooms feel smaller. Where possible, choosing light colours for your walls and any cupboards/ drawers in your room can help create an airier, more open-plan feel.
9) Keep Your Kitchen Sides Clear
Just as cupboard handles can cause obstructions in your kitchen, too many objects on your countertops can create hurdles for doing daily tasks, making the room feel smaller and less functional. Keeping your kitchen sides clear can help you avoid this issue, creating more space for cooking and washing up.
There are several ways to use interior design to make your narrow kitchen feel more spacious. For budget-friendly and less disruptive solutions, consider introducing movable storage options, such as trolleys, or using mirrors to create the illusion of a larger space. If you're seeking a more dramatic transformation, you could move your storage upward or switch to handleless drawers, creating a more open and roomy appearance.