If you are after galley kitchen ideas and inspiration, then you've come to the right place. 

So much has changed in the way in which we design and use our kitchens, but there is something reassuring in how the galley kitchen has adapted to the new-found sense of space in more contemporary kitchens, and has thrived.  

Named after a ship’s kitchen, galley kitchens were originally associated with simplicity and tight spaces – there’s not much room for superfluous detail on the average ship. But the reason that galley kitchen layouts work is that they are ergonomically sound – it's easy to place everything so it is to hand. 

Here are some super-efficient layouts for you to consider...

BY JENNIFER EBERT. CONTRIBUTIONS FROM LINDA CLAYTON 

Open plan kitchens and spacious islands are partly to blame for wall units falling out of fashion – when you’ve got oodles of space to play with, it’s easy to see why you would want to keep the look open and save reaching overhead. 

But wall units will always have a valid place in small kitchens and narrow rooms, where you can make the most of the height and still have usable worksurface. 

Popular options include lift up doors and tall, sleek, flat-fronted doors in a striking material. But if you are really not a fan, consider open shelving or perhaps cubby holes if you need to make use of more height.

If you really want to make a statement in a galley kitchen, paint your units in an entirely different color to the rest of the room to make them sing out. 

Over the years, a third galley kitchen scenario has evolved, incorporating the galley layout into more modern kitchens.

'Modern galley kitchens can be part of a much larger space, featuring a wall-hugging galley run with a long island running parallel, separating a living or dining area beyond,' explains Paul O’Brien, director of Kitchens International. 

Although following the double galley footprint, it feels different as it is a lighter, more open and more sociable space. 

Good kitchen storage are perhaps the most important element to consider when planning a galley kitchen. 

Choose a scheme that includes plenty of storage, and if wall units aren’t possible in all areas, go for an abundance of floor units with drawers. 

Also, natural light is key in helping to create space, so if possible include a window and door in your galley kitchen. A neutral color scheme in all areas will help to give the feeling of space.

Simple kitchen color schemes don't have to mean all-white designs though. Here, a tonal palette of subtle blues, grays and taupes blend beautifully to create a stylish gray kitchen.

Galley kitchens have a tendency to look small and cluttered, but there is one way to negate this issue. 

Give small kitchen layouts the illusion of space by going for shelves rather than wall units. 

Keep them the same color as the rest of the cabinetry below for a seamless look, and have fun displaying colorful glass bottles, storage containers and too-pretty-to-hide-away teapots.

A galley kitchen layout is particularly suited to more compact spaces, as it ensures you have the worksurfaces and appliances you need while still providing essential storage for small kitchens.

The trick is to make the space work for you – make it look bigger by using light colors and reflective surfaces.

'Try not to have tall units on both sides in double galley kitchens, as it will become overbearing,' advises Tim Higham of Higham Furniture. 'If possible, try to avoid wall cabinets on one side, opting for open shelving where feasible. This will help to make the space feel larger.'

To make the most of a tall, narrow kitchen, use a mixture of wall cabinets, open shelving, base cabinets and drawers to vary your design and keep the outlook as open as possible.

Make sure you have enough room to move around the kitchen easily without bumping into other people; check there is enough space between opposite runs of units to open drawers, cupboards and appliances, and if it’s a bit of a squeeze consider reduced depth cabinets.   

And last, but certainly not least, it’s essential to get the lighting right, especially in a narrow room. This really has to be planned at the start of the project. 

Overhead natural light is always a bonus – if you are planning a kitchen extension, think about where you can position skylights.

A single run is kitchen design as its most essential. 

If you only have a single run –  one row – of cabinets, worktop space may be limited, so it makes sense to create different zones for food preparation, serving and cleaning up, often divided by the key points of hob, sink and refrigerator.

Whatever the size of your room, try to keep the mix of colors and/or textures to two or possibly three – that includes the walls, floor and ceilings as well as the cabinets.

It is cheaper to change the walls five years on than it will be to buy and install new cabinets – so if you’re not sure, neutral kitchen cabinet colors may be the best option. 

The galley layout can work just wonderfully in a large kitchen. 

The presence of two runs of units provides an architectural frame to a dining table or kitchen island in the centre, while in open plan areas an island or run of units provides the cut-off between living and cooking zones.

Introduce a small dining area into galley kitchens by opting for a compact dining table, which can be pushed against an unused wall. 

Kitchen lighting can make or break both the aesthetics and function of a galley kitchen. 

'Keep galley kitchens as uncomplicated as possible – a simple layout and cleverly placed lighting will completely reinvent the space,' says Naomi Dean, furniture and showroom designer at Harvey Jones. 

'Opt for worktop spot-lights, that will not only brighten your workspace but will illuminate the rest of the area. This will instantly brighten your kitchen and add the effect of more space.'

To make the most of available space without overwhelming a compact open plan room, consider a kitchen with handleless doors. Technological advances in push-open and close doors means that it has become possible to dispense with handles in both wall and base cabinets. 

Stone or wood floors are also a practical solution for galley kitchens that will help to create a layered, texturized effect.