Galley Kitchen
A galley kitchen is also called a corridor kitchen. Galley kitchen can be single walled as well as double walled. This is the most preferred kitchen layout when the space available is small and rectangular in shape.
Single walled galley kitchen
This is the least preferred option for a small kitchen. You go for this option when you have no other choice. This is a kitchen that can accommodate only one cook because there simply isn’t any room for a second person. In this type of kitchen a traditional work triangle is not possible because the kitchen is built on a single wall. The sink, refrigerator and the oven are in one line. The sink is normally in the middle with the refrigerator and the oven on either side of it at distances of about 24 inches to provide enough counter space.
Corridor type galley kitchen
In this type of kitchen you have two walls facing each other. This is an ideal design to have a classical work triangle and is very suitable for small rectangular spaces. The work triangle is formed by keeping the refrigerator in the center of one wall and placing the sink and the oven on the opposite wall at equal distances from the refrigerator. You will then get a work triangle that is equilateral and very easy to handle. If for some reason the work triangle is not equilateral, then place the refrigerator slightly away from the center
A galley kitchen is normally divided into several work zones. Each work zone should not be less than 8 feet in length. The width of the galley should be between 7 to 12 feet. The distance between the counters on both sides should not be less than 3 feet if only one person would be working in the kitchen. For a second person to work in the kitchen the distance will need to be 4 to 5 feet.
For storage you could have base cabinets and even cabinets at the top on both sides. But do not have any cabinets on top of the sink. If possible have the sink in front of a window or an opening in the wall.
Variants in the galley type kitchen
The single entry galley kitchen: This is one of the most efficient designs for a corridor type kitchen. A single entry will ensure that there is no traffic through the kitchen. The refrigerator can be kept near the entry so that one can take out things like cold drinks without disturbing the cook. Even the snack cupboard should be placed near the entry. The sink, dish washer and the trash should also be placed near the door to make disposal of trash easy.
The double entry galley kitchen: Here you have entry doors on opposite shorter sides of the rectangular space. The kitchen has to bear a lot more traffic in this kind of a kitchen. This type of double entry is found where there is an outside door or a door connecting to the laundry or utility room. The traffic will be more if it is a door connecting the kitchen to the outside. The space between the opposite counters should be at least 4 feet to allow two people to cross each other comfortably.