For some reason, the galley kitchen layout has lost popularity in recent years, in favor of the L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen with an island. But the galley kitchen can be one of the best uses of space, employing the best layout for cooking.
The trend away from the galley is partially due to changes in lifestyle of modern families. Kitchens are the heart of the home; in addition to food preparation, it's where families hang out, do homework, pay bills, entertain and eat. People want a kitchen that houses everything from bulk goods, to a message center, to a mudroom if possible.
Technically, the term comes from the galley of a ship, train, or aircraft. It's about maximizing the space available, and doesn't include kitchen seating. Here are some purist (and not so purist) examples of why this layout works so well:
Here's a classic galley kitchen , including the use of hanging pots and pans and commerical feel with the range hood. The super-efficient pattern of working left to right and right to left between sink and range is what I think of when I think "galley kitchen."
This is a perfect example of a residential galley kitchen. The sink is on the opposite wall but still maintains the tight work triangle. It's likely that there's a kitchen table near where the photographer was standing. Adding a kitchen table would be another way that the galley kitchen can be modified to meet the needs of a modern family.
This galley-style kitchen has the cooktop and prep sink in a large island, which is great for two cooks. I love the wall of windows.
Typically people think of a galley kitchen as two parallel lines of base and wall cabinets, but I see the kitchen with an island and parallel wall as a modern interpretation of the classic galley kitchen. This kitchen has the main sink in the island and the range and refrigerator on the main wall, making for a really tight work triangle.
If you don't have a lot of room, putting your main sink in the island can be a great option. Even better if it's a farm sink, which gives you an extra 3 inches in back of the faucet due to the sink being pulled forward (rather than having the 3-inch strip of stone required for the front of standard undermount sink).
Here's a more unfitted European approach, with a freestanding island with prep sink, and the main sink and range all on one wall. This example might be taking creative liberty with my theme because the refrigerator is on the opposite wall. But it still feels and functions like a galley.
Here's another loose interpretation of the galley kitchen, since there appears to be base cabinets on the right foreground. But the sink, range and refrigerator are all on one wall, so it made the cut.
The butler's pantry has the efficiency of the galley layout, and has been appropriated to the high-function sector of larger stagelike kitchens. The parallel walls offer maximum storage and access and no wasted space.