A galley kitchen is a long and narrow kitchen, so it is abundant in length, but it is narrow. A lot of the time, you can’t decide the layout and how the kitchen will look, but you can forget about the countertops too, which are basically the life and soul of the kitchen. Popular options are quartz, marble, and granite countertops, but you should consider these things when choosing a countertop for a galley kitchen.
Take The Space In Consideration
Firstly, you have to take the available space you have and factor it into how you’re going to incorporate a countertop in the galley kitchen. In a galley kitchen, the countertop is usually also long and narrow, so that means that you really have to figure out how you want the countertop to be laid out. Do you want it off to the side? Do you want it in the narrow end of the galley kitchen? Do you want it to cover the entire length of the kitchen?
This is going to be a really important thing to do and you can do that once you take note of the available space.
The Function
The next thing to go over is the function of the countertops. If you have a lot of work to do and your countertops are your main work stations, then it wouldn’t hurt to get a bigger countertop, because that is literally where you will do all of the work, so you will need the space, without a doubt.
If you’re not going to cook a lot in the kitchen, then crowding the galley kitchen with a countertop is not going to be a smart decision. This is why you want to put functionality at the forefront.
Placement Of The Countertops
This kind of ties in with the previous two tips, but it mostly has to do with the placement of the countertops and where the perfect place is to put said countertops.
Since you’re working with a galley kitchen, it is smart to choose a single narrow slab and if you want the most bang for your buck, then you want to put it near the walls so that you can place the sink and other things like the stove top and cabinets there too.
Your Personal Preference
Of course, it is your kitchen, so you are going to have to think about what you like the most too and this mostly has to do with the design and materials you’re going to choose. If you want something that is a bit more chic but industrial, then you have some options for materials.
If you want the kitchen to look vintage, but also cute, then you can choose from a variety of fitting options too. It is all in how you picture your dream kitchen to look like and once you have a picture in your mind, everything will be so much clearer.
The Style You Want
The next thing to consider is the style. Whether you have less space or a lot, you still want everything to look on point and stylish when choosing a countertop and remodeling your galley kitchen. Just because you don’t have the space doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on the style and how you want your kitchen to look.
With countertops, there are many style options you can go for. You can go for chunky slabs, you can go for thin tiles and you can also go for something more continuous, like adding a backsplash to the mix too.
Backsplash Or Not?
Speaking of backsplash, this is also something that you have to consider when carrying out countertop replacement Raleigh NC. For a galley kitchen, it is a good idea to incorporate a backsplash in the space, because it just looks so fluid and continuous.
It is something that will definitely add that missing cherry on top and your kitchen will look less divided and harsh, and more soft and bigger even. But there are also some people who don’t really like backsplash or the look of it in general. This is why you need to figure out what you really like and then go for that.
The Height Of Countertops
This is something that you might think isn’t important, especially for something like a galley kitchen, but you’ll be surprised at how it completely changes the look for the better or worse. The height of the countertops is seriously important and if you’re not paying attention till now, then it is time to change that.
You want the countertops to be tall. You definitely don’t want the height to be stout, because then the kitchen will look bulky and closed off. You want the height to be at least 32 inches so that you can easily work on the surface without hunching down too much.
Hidden Storage
Since your kitchen is small and narrow, you definitely want to make up for the space by introducing countertops that can have hidden storage in them. This is seriously so smart and you’ll have everything organized in that small space.
So, when you’re getting countertops installed, try to go the extra mile and go for hidden or organized storage. It is going to keep everything settled in one place and you won’t have to turn the kitchen upside down to find that one pot or your favorite spatula.
Countertop Materials To Choose For A Galley Kitchen
So, now that you know what you need to consider when it comes to a galley kitchen and kitchen countertops, here are some materials that you might fancy. These will definitely turn the look of your kitchen around.
Granite
Granite is a crowd pleaser. It is dark, it is very luxurious looking, and even if your kitchen is small and narrow, it will look very put-together with granite. So, you can definitely go for this durable stone and since you’re going for a small kitchen countertop layout, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Quartz
If you want a man-made material that is similar in strength to granite, then quartz is your best bet. It is a much lighter material than natural stones and it has such a bright and unique feel to it. It is non-porous and considered a more hygienic countertop material than many others.
Marble
Next up is marble and this is something that is elegant and will never go out of style. It is light, it is feathery, and it is the definition of minimal, but still classy. What is there not to love about it? Well, one thing and that is the maintenance.
Laminate
If you want to choose a reasonable option, then laminate is the best thing to go for. It can mimic any countertop design, it is decently durable, and you will love the way your galley kitchen looks with this material.
Conclusion
A galley kitchen might be small and sometimes hard to walk in, but when you choose the perfect countertops, you can turn the narrow space into a practical one in no time. Hire a granite company Durham NC for advice and countertop installation.