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3 Grown Up Granita Recipes To Make This Summer

If you’re looking for a way to beat the heat, why not head to the kitchen for a granita. This semi-frozen Italian dessert originated on the island of Sicily, off the sunny coast of the Mediterranean Sea. A granita gets its light, fluffy texture from scraping ice crystals with a fork during the freezing process. And the ingredients are as simple as can be — typically water, fresh fruit juice (or coffee) and sugar.

While a granita may sound like a grown-up version of a snow cone, it’s even better than you could imagine, especially when you add spirits from your bar cabinet into the mix. Thankfully, you don’t have to travel to Italy to try this amazing treat when you can make it right in your own kitchen! Here are a few of our favorite granita recipes to make this summer, plus easy-to-follow instructions for perfecting the freezer method.

The Freezer Method

Making a granita requires a bit of patience but is ultimately easy to accomplish. Simply mix your ingredients in a flat baking dish and place it in the freezer (tip: metal freezes quicker than tempered glass or ceramic). After about 30 minutes, remove the baking dish, scrape or break up the ice crystals with a fork, and return the baking dish to the freezer. Follow this process for two hours or until your granita reaches a coarse, slushy consistency. Scoop some into a glass, grab a spoon, and enjoy!

Lime Granita

Savoring a Lime Granita is a refreshing way to cool down on a sweltering summer day. This recipe features freshly squeezed lime juice plus lime zest for an extra touch of tartness. And don’t forget the sugar! If you don’t have time for the freezer method, you can also use an ice cream maker. For instructions from An Italian in My Kitchen, click here. If you’re over 21 and want to spike your summer dessert, tequila pairs nicely with lime.

Watermelon Granita

For this granita, puree chunks of seedless watermelon in a blender with freshly squeezed lime juice, and strain through a sieve. Sweeten to taste with simple syrup (typically a few tablespoons per cup will do). Nice additions to a Watermelon Granita include finely chopped, fresh mint leaves or a pinch of salt. For a light and refreshing adult twist, try this recipe from Skinnytaste with a splash of vodka or white rum from your bar cabinet.

Coffee Granita

If you want to chill with a caffeine boost, try this Granita di Caffè (Coffee Granita) from Italy Magazine. Brew espresso with filtered water from your refrigerator or kitchen sink and cool it to room temperature. Add simple syrup and begin the freezer method. Like your favorite Frappuchino, top your Coffee Granita with whipped cream before serving. To make this granita even more grown-up, just add coffee liqueur.

If you make a large batch and miraculously have some left, granitas can be stored in the freezer for several days covered with plastic wrap. When ready to serve, let the ice slightly melt on the kitchen island and scrape it with a fork to return the granita to the correct consistency.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free, plus all the accessories needed to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

Breathtaking Details For A Beautiful Open Concept Living Space

There is a lot to love about an open concept floor plan. Bright, airy and spacious, this contemporary approach to home building starts with a welcoming entryway. From there, the home opens up into a visually seamless great room that typically includes a kitchen, dining room, and family/TV room. But how do you successfully design an open concept living space?

An open concept floor plan is undeniably appealing, but also requires careful planning, whether you are building a new home or tackling a renovations checklist. Without walls to divide each distinct area, it is important to keep your interior design both cohesive and clutter-free. From color choices to custom cabinets, here are a few breathtaking details to consider when creating a beautiful open concept living space.

Choosing an open concept color scheme.

As we mentioned earlier, an open concept floor plan is visually seamless. Therefore, you need to choose your colors wisely. Jumping from one bold color to the next can be jarring, so it’s best to find one liveable hue and go from there. Most interior designers would recommend sticking with a neutral palette of white, beige or soft grey for walls. These subtle colors suit an open concept floor plan and help to create a serene blank canvas that allows you to be creative with your decor. Swapping out the TV room throw pillows with the seasons? Why not! Two-tone custom cabinets? No problem. To add visual interest without being overly busy, you could also opt for an accent wall in a favorite hue, or just a step or two up the color swatch for a dynamic, monochromatic look in the same color family. When decorating an open concept home, stick to one or two complementary shades and carry your color scheme throughout each area for continuity. The same holds true for matching kitchen cabinet finishes when installing TV room cabinetry.

Finding the best flooring for an open concept living space.

Again, the goal is to create a visually seamless space when building an open concept home or tackling a renovations checklist. Many homeowners love the look of hardwood flooring, but it’s not always the best choice for wet areas like the kitchen. That is why tile flooring is so popular in kitchen design. But installing tile in the kitchen and hardwood in the TV room and dining room creates a two-tone visual divide in an open concept space (aka an ugly line running right in the middle of your great room). For a breathtaking (and functional) solution, why not consider luxury vinyl planks or wood-look tile. These durable flooring options are impervious to water damage, low-maintenance, and realistically mimic the beauty of hardwood, offering homeowners the ultimate solution for this common design dilemma. Luxury vinyl planks or wood-look tile can be seamlessly installed in the entire open concept living area and throughout the home.

More breathtaking details for a beautiful open concept living space:

Reflect light around a great room with glass front cabinet doors, and/or mirrors.
Keep it classy by pairing custom cabinets with natural stone countertops.
Apron front kitchen sinks add an extra touch of visual interest.
Include a large kitchen island in your design to discreetly designate the kitchen area.
Complete your kitchen with a tile backsplash.
Install i nside cabinet accessories to help reduce clutter.
Define spaces with coordinating area rugs and window treatments.
Create intimate, comfortable seating arrangements.
Add architectural details like crown molding and wainscotting.
Enhance your lighting with canned fixtures, pendants, large windows and skylights.

Be sure to shop our End of Summer Sale, August 7th through 17th, 2020 at Willow Lane Cabinetry!

5 Late Summer Slow Cooker Recipes

It’s common to hide your slow cooker behind cabinet doors during the warmer months, but this handy kitchen appliance is perfect for lazy summer days. You simply need to adjust your menu. When you swap out hearty stews and chili for light dishes with fresh, seasonal ingredients, you end up with an easy dinner the whole family will love. Here are five late summer recipes for cooking low and slow on the kitchen island.

Slow Cooker Vegetable Lasagna

This easy slow cooker lasagna from Eating Well calls for garden fresh vegetables instead of meat, like late summer zucchini squash, baby spinach, and portobello mushrooms. Stuffed with mozzarella and ricotta cheese, you can cook this healthy and delicious meal in a slow cooker on low for four hours (or high for two hours) and have dinner on the table in a flash. Serve it with garlic bread and a fresh salad (and a glass of Summer Sangria from your wine storage cabinet). Click here for the recipe from Eating Well.

Slow Cooker Pork Ribs

Erin from Well Plated says these easy slow cooker ribs take only ten minutes of prep — the slow cooker does the rest of the work for you! Using a slow cooker instead of a grill reduces the risk of overcooking and fills your kitchen with the sweet and savory aroma of BBQ. If you’re craving succulent and delicious, fall off the bone pork ribs with a flavorful homemade sauce, click here.

Corn Chowder

Corn Chowder is a light and tasty late summer meal that cooks low and slow in four hours (or 40 minutes on high). This warm and cozy slow cooker recipe from Better Homes and Gardens features fresh summer corn, potatoes, and bacon. You’ll also need a splash of your favorite dry white from your wine storage cabinet, and dried thyme and paprika from your spice rack, for an extra punch of flavor. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions from BHG, click here.

Slow Cooker Barbacoa-Style Beef Tacos
What could be better than tacos on a late summer evening? Slow Cooker Barbacoa-Style Beef Tacos! Not your average taco recipe, this Tasty dish features a tender chuck roast simmered low and slow for eight and a half hours with spicy chili peppers in adobo sauce. Serve on a flour or corn tortilla with queso fresco, avocado slices, fresh cilantro and a twist of lime. For the complete recipe from Tasty, click here.

Slow Cooker Coconut Lime Chicken
This easy dish from The Slow Cooker Gourmet calls for bone-in chicken breasts and gets its summery flavor from coconut milk, lime and pineapple juice. Rubbed with dried curry powder, ginger, garlic powder and cajun seasonings from your spice tray, this breezy meal is best enjoyed on the back patio, or pull up a stool at the kitchen island and dig in! For the recipe from The Slow Cooker Gourmet, click here.

10 Charming Details For A Classic Home Interior

What type of style are you creating with your design choices? From your ceilings to your floors, every inch of a home comes together to create an overarching theme.

Do you like an ultra sleek and contemporary aesthetic? Or do you prefer the charm of a traditional home? If it’s a classic interior that you seek, here are ten charming details you can incorporate into your home to create a timeless look that will last for years to come.

1.Wall Treatments

Architectural elements speak volumes to your home’s theme, and it is a misconception that little can be done after your home is built. There are many post-build enhancements to your home’s foundation that can be as impactful as those designed in the blueprint.

Wainscoting is one way to make your home’s interior more visually appealing. It refers to the addition of panels to your walls to make them look warmer and more decorative. There are many different styles of wainscotting, such as board-and-batten, and a wall treatment can be added anywhere you want to increase architectural interest in your home.

2. Tile Backsplash

Another way to spruce up your walls is to install a tile backsplash. Most commonly, a backsplash will be applied in the kitchen on the wall space in between your base and wall cabinets. This is the most functional use for a backsplash, but it does also add an interesting element to the room and can complement your all wood cabinetry or stone countertops. Backsplash tile is also popular in bathrooms and outdoor living spaces.

3. Decorative Ceilings

Ceilings are somewhat forgotten territory in a home, but the addition of crown molding and reclaimed wood beams or beadboard on a ceiling can do wonders for adding charm and character to your home. Take advantage of vertical space and give your plain ceilings a decorative finish.

4. Custom Cabinetry

Choosing classic styles and finishes for your all wood cabinetry can add serious charm, whether you are making over a kitchen, bath, laundry or TV room. If you’re looking for a time-honored option, Shaker Cabinets are a great selection. Clean and classic, Shaker Cabinets have proven to be truly timeless and serve as a great foundation for other custom enhancements like a built-in wine rack or glass front doors.

5. Pulls And Knobs

Don’t forget to embellish those full overlay cabinet doors with the right hardware. Pulls and knobs are some of the smaller details in a home, but they still add visual interest. Skip the cookie-cutter selections and opt for hardware that makes a statement.

6. Decorative Legs And Corbels On A Kitchen Island

Modern furniture tends to be very minimalistic with sharp edges and clean lines. Comparatively, you’ll find decorative details and interesting elements throughout classic and traditional pieces. When picking your kitchen island, pay attention to the legs and corbels. Having artistic details on your kitchen island will help you create the ultimate classic design.

7. Apron Front Sinks

Reminiscent of earlier times, apron front sinks offer that warm and welcoming farmhouse feel. This type of kitchen sink will need to be installed into an apron style cabinet. Unlike a traditional undermount or topmount sink, the front of an apron sink is exposed, which is why this specific cabinet style is required.

8. Natural Stone Countertops

The unique beauty of a natural stone countertop is unparalleled and a marvelous way to bring charm into your family’s kitchen. Quartzite and granite are two popular natural materials that are used to make stunning countertops, and when well maintained, can absolutely withstand the test of time.

9. Windows

Your windows give your home that incomparable natural light that makes a room feel open and airy. They also offer a pristine opportunity to add a little charm. One of the most desirable window enhancements are classic plantation shutters. Available in different louvers sizes, plantation shutters add elegance and a custom look to any room.

10. French Doors

Last but not least, let’s talk about doors. The majority of homes come with standard sliding glass doors that open up to the backyard or patio. While simply lovely, this all glass entryway might lack the charisma you are searching for. French doors are a great alternative for an entryway upgrade and can even be used within the home in lieu of your basic interior doors.

3 Reasons To Get Cooking With Your Kids This Summer

As a parent, cooking at home creates an opportunity for the entire family to eat healthier. When you cook together, it also teaches your children how to be skilled, self-sufficient and well-prepared adults someday. With that said, there are a few more benefits to preparing and sharing regular home-cooked meals in the kitchen. Now that the kids are home for the summer, here are three reasons to gather around the kitchen island and get cooking as a family!

Kids are less reluctant to try new foods when they help with cooking.

Involving children in the cooking process is helpful for picky eaters. According to early learning professionals at Penn State University, “Eating and preparing foods can be a great sensory experience for children and a fun learning opportunity.” Cooking engages all five senses, and there is no better way for children to hear, smell, see, touch and taste all at once.

Cooking is educational and spans several subjects.

Cooking provides valuable lessons in math, science, social studies and language arts — from measuring ingredients and reading a recipe, to learning about growing seasons, chemical reactions, and unique cuisines around the world. Cooking is also a creative endeavor that inspires little minds to set up at the kitchen island, and experiment with new flavors and ingredients from the spice rack and kitchen pantry cabinet.

Cooking together helps families connect.

According to The Family Dinner Project, “Sharing a family meal is good for the spirit, the brain and the health of all family members.” Cooking together only furthers the connection and makes the experience even more memorable. From teaching children to make a cherished recipe passed down for generations, to simply catching up with conversation around the kitchen table, food can nourish both the body and the soul.

Looking for easy, kid-friendly recipes to make together? Here are three great resources to check out:

● Kid-Friendly Recipes from Food Network

“Discover kid-friendly recipes designed to keep supper simple and satisfying, with easy chicken, pasta and beef dinners for weeknights, plus weekend recipe ideas to make family time fun time.”

Easy Dinner Ideas For Picky Eaters from Good Housekeeping

“These kid-friendly dinners will make the adults want to sneak seconds, too.”

Recipes Teens Should Know By Heart from Taste of Home

“Do you have a preteen that loves spending time in the kitchen? Start off their solo cooking career with these yummy recipes that they’ll be able to master in a flash.”

For more easy recipe ideas and home improvement inspiration, check out our blog. And don’t forget to shop our Friends and Family Sale, July 24th through 31st, 2020!

6 Homemade BBQ Marinades And Dry Rubs

Things are heating up outside and that means one thing — it’s grilling season! With summer just around the corner, our mouths are watering for juicy barbequed chicken, steak, and ribs. Up your grill game with these homemade marinades and rubs made from simple ingredients found in your kitchen pantry cabinet.

Chimichurri

Chimichurri is a traditional South American sauce and marinade that pairs beautifully with all cuts of grilled steak. It features the bold and vibrant flavors of fresh garlic, cilantro, parsley, oregano, shallots, and chili or jalapeno peppers. To make this colorful marinade, click here for a delicious Chimichurri recipe from Bon Appetit.

Smoky Rub

This dry rub gets its intense flavor from a hefty dose of smoked paprika. To make it, you’ll need a few other seasonings from your spice rack, including onion powder, garlic powder, ground ginger, dry mustard, and salt. Sprinkle it on grilled corn, BBQ chicken, or pork. For the Smoky Rub recipe from Better Homes and Gardens, click here.

Whiskey Marinade

Did you know that the whisky in your bar cabinet can help to tenderize meat? This recipe for Honey-Glazed Baby Back Ribs uses a homemade marinade featuring honey, soy sauce, freshly grated ginger — and whiskey! Whip some up, add a few racks of baby back ribs, and let it soak in the refrigerator for 4 hours before grilling. For the complete recipe from Food and Wine, click here.

Herbes de Provence

A staple in french cooking, Herbes de Provence is a distinctive blend of dried summer herbs like thyme, marjoram, rosemary, tarragon, mint, lavender, and basil. To make this dry rub, you will need a spice grinder and an airtight container for storage. Click here for the recipe from The Spruce Eats. Use Herbes de Provence to season grilled chicken, fish and vegetables.

Hawaiian Marinade

This tropical marinade is easy to make and perfect for summer grilling. Ingredients from your kitchen pantry cabinet include unsweetened pineapple juice, soy sauce, fresh ginger, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Use it to marinate bone-in pork chops or chicken. For the full recipe from Food Network, click here.

Lemon Pepper Rub

For grilled fish like salmon, you can’t beat a lemon pepper dry rub. Click here for an easy recipe from Rachael Ray in Season that features fresh lemon zest, coarsely ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, and other tantalizing flavors from your spice drawer.

Whether you mix up a marinade using whisky from your bar cabinet or a dry rub made with flavorful herbs and spices, you’re sure to become a seasoned Grill Master this summer!

How To Organize And Maximize Storage In Your Kitchen Cabinetry And Pantry

Is your social media feed filled with dream kitchens and color coordinated pantries labeled to the nines? These ultra organized kitchens are all the craze right now — and for good reason. Not only do they make storage look super chic, but a desire to maintain the aesthetic can motivate you to keep your kitchen cabinets and pantry organized.

Here are a few tips on how to replicate those dream kitchens in your home by organizing and maximizing storage in your kitchen cabinetry.

Take everything out of your kitchen cabinets and group like items.

Organizing your kitchen can be an overwhelming task, but with the right guide, you can tackle this endeavor on your own. Let’s start with the first step.

The beginning of any good overhaul (whether you’re optimizing a bedroom closet or a kitchen pantry) is a total purge. It’s important for you to have a clear picture of what you typically store in your cabinets, so that you can maximize the space that you have and purchase the right cabinet accessories.

Empty every kitchen pantry cabinet, shelf, and drawer onto an open surface like your kitchen island, countertops, or floor. From here, you can start grouping things by the category of your choice. A trendy color-coded pantry isn’t for everyone, so outside of color you can go with size, function, or meal category. There’s no right or wrong option, and the possibilities are endless. Go with what makes most sense for your home and organization style.

Do not limit yourself to shelves.

Kitchen cabinets come with shelves, so it’s only natural to assume that’s all we need to store our kitchen essentials. The truth is, relying solely on built-in shelving to organize a kitchen cabinet or kitchen pantry cabinet can lead to chaos.

When everything lives at one level, it makes it hard to see what lies behind those front items. Not only can you never find what you’re looking for, but you’re also more likely to forget about food and repurchase the same items resulting in food waste.

Stackable pantry bins, base organizers, tiered shelves, and Lazy Susans are a few of the inside cabinet accessories that give you more visibility and make use of vertical space between shelves.

Use cookware dividers rather than stacking trays, pots, and pans.

Why is it that the pan you need is always the one at the bottom of the stack? If you’re guilty of stacking your trays, pots, and pans, it’s time to upgrade to cabinet dividers.

These handy inside cabinet accessories allow you to store your cookware side by side rather than on top of one another. From two-tier organizers for your pots and pans to a simple U-shaped tray divider perfect for platters and cookie sheets, you can have easy access to all of your cookware.

Utilize forgotten space on the backs of cabinet doors, in your sink base, and base fillers.

Typically forgotten space in your cabinets and pantry can be transformed to conceal everyday kitchen essentials. Hide away spices and oils in a discreet base filler or door mounted rack. Conceal your sponge and dish scrubber in a tilt out tray rather than next to your kitchen sink.

If you feel like your kitchen is too small to store everything you need, you probably haven’t unlocked all of your kitchen’s true storage potential. If you look closely, you’ll discover that there is a storage opportunity in every nook and cranny of your kitchen.

5 Kitchen Cabinet Finishes For A Summer-Inspired Home

Whether you own a second home in a sunny locale or simply want to add a summer vibe to your year-round kitchen, there are certain elements that epitomize the season ahead. These details include linen window treatments, natural fiber area rugs, galvanized metal bar stools at the kitchen island, and more. With that said, your cabinetry is truly the focal point of the kitchen. From classic white to light and airy shades of gray, here are five gorgeous kitchen cabinet finishes for a summer-inspired home.

Salem Light Grey

Our Salem Light Grey cabinets are stained a gorgeous shade of light grey, with a glazed finish. These quality cabinets are made from solid birch, and feature recessed panel doors and dovetailed drawer boxes. To see this beautiful finish in person, order sample doors. All our samples ship free with a small deposit that will be refunded upon return.

Midtown Cream Shaker

Shaker cabinets are known for having clean lines and a minimalist style that has endured for decades. Our Midtown Cream Shaker cabinets are simply stunning, with a soft, creamy color that adds a subtle hint of warmth to a white kitchen. These durable, quality cabinets feature Sherwin Williams paint with a catalytic conversion top coat. Pair Midtown Cream Shaker cabinets with a dark kitchen island from our Midtown Shaker collection.

Providence White

The Providence White collection from Willow Lane Cabinetry features a classic white, waterborne UV finish that is right at home in a coastal kitchen. The recessed square style adds a casual yet elegant touch. Add glass front doors, a white subway tile backsplash and natural stone countertops to complete the bright and beachy summer house look.

Heather Grey Shaker

These versatile Shaker cabinets have a gorgeous light grey finish with visible wood grain that adds an extra touch of natural, organic beauty. The doors are made from solid eucalyptus grandis in a modern Shaker style, with standard soft close doors and drawer glides. If you are looking for warmth and a rustic flair, look no further than Heather Grey Shaker for your summer home.

Midtown Painted Grey Shaker

Another option in the Midtown Shaker style, our Midtown Painted Grey Shaker cabinets come in a soft grey, painted finish from Sherwin Williams with a catalytic conversion top coat. Like our other quality cabinets, they are custom made to order and no detail is too small. Take advantage of our free room design service to see just how lovely Midtown Painted Grey Shaker cabinets would look in your kitchen this summer.

Creative Ways To Color Easter Eggs Naturally

There is no need to buy artificial food dye to color hard-boiled eggs this Easter. Here are some creative and organic ways to color easter eggs naturally with common ingredients found in your refrigerator and kitchen pantry cabinet — whether your favorite color is yellow, pink, blue or green!

Yellow/Orange

Start by boiling a quart of water and two tablespoons of white vinegar in a medium saucepan on the stovetop. Stir in three tablespoons of turmeric from your spice drawer, reduce the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Cool the water at room temperature (about two to three hours) before dying your eggs, or try this trick from A Tasty Adventure. You’ll need red and yellow onion skins for color, plus a pair of nylons and fresh herbs to make a pretty pattern. For detailed instructions with photos of Onion Dyed Easter Eggs, click here.

Pink/Red

Again, start by adding a quart of water and two tablespoons of white vinegar to a medium saucepan. While you are waiting for the water to boil on the stovetop, chop two large beets and add them to the pot. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, and let the beets soak for at least 30 minutes or until you achieve your desired color. Strain out the beets and begin coloring your eggs. Remember, the longer your eggs sit in the liquid, the deeper the hue.

Blue/Purple

Finely shred a large red cabbage (about a pound) with a chef’s knife, and add it to a medium saucepan. Top the shredded cabbage with a quart of water (or grape juice for deeper color). Add two tablespoons of white vinegar and a tablespoon of salt. Bring the saucepan to a boil on the stovetop over medium heat. Reduce the heat, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the cabbage and cool the liquid before dying. Blue takes a little more time to achieve than other colors, so be patient.

Green

Boil a quart of water with six cups of fresh spinach leaves. Stir in two tablespoons of white vinegar and let the water simmer on the stovetop until you achieve a deep shade of green. Strain out the spinach and allow the water to cool completely before dipping your eggs. Like blue, green can be tricky. When in doubt, add the dye to covered mason jars and soak your eggs overnight in the refrigerator.

When using natural dyes, it’s best to wear disposable gloves to avoid staining your hands. Whether you set up your egg dying station at the kitchen table or on the countertop of your kitchen island, be sure to cover the surface with a plastic tablecloth or kitchen towels for easy cleanup.

Tips For Designing A Functional And Efficient Galley Kitchen

If you live in the city, there’s a good chance your home has a galley kitchen. This layout is popular when square footage is scarce, but just because architects love it doesn’t mean homeowners do.

Having a galley kitchen can bring upon a lot of frustration — most commonly, the lack of work flow and storage options. So how do you maximize the space in your galley kitchen to make it more functional and efficient? Here are a few tips for you to try.

Take advantage of vertical space by installing custom cabinets that will meet your storage needs.

In a galley kitchen, every inch of your walls should be utilized. This often means extending your all wood cabinetry upwards to the ceiling, so that no wall space is visible. Some homeowners choose to install custom cabinets that completely cover their galley kitchen. Thanks to sleek, modern designs like Shaker or slab cabinets, this approach can actually be quite stylish while also solving your small-kitchen storage issues. To see what your new all wood cabinetry will look like in your home, try out our free design services. One of our experts will prepare a free custom layout and photorealistic renderings for you that bring your design to life.

Evolve your galley kitchen into an open concept floor plan with a kitchen island.

A big complaint of those with a galley kitchen is that the room feels very small and closed in. You can alleviate this crampedness by replacing one of the runs with a kitchen island. This is a great option when doing so opens the kitchen up to your living room or dining room. It instantly makes the kitchen appear larger and more spacious, while also allowing for more social gatherings. Depending on what appliances will live on your island, you can also add stools to the opposing side to create a comfortable breakfast bar.

Stagger appliances so that they aren’t side by side or facing each other.

When there’s too many cooks in a galley kitchen, prepping meals can be troublesome. You can avoid bumping into your sous chef by spacing out appliances from one another. Stagger your refrigerator, oven, kitchen sink, and dishwasher so that appliances don’t mirror each other. This placement is much more conducive for families or couples that enjoy cooking together.

Extend your kitchen outwards to create more space.

If you still find yourself stuck in a small kitchen after adding vertical storage, you might want to consider extending your layout horizontally. With an open-ended galley kitchen, it is often possible to extend your cabinets and countertop outwards. Many homeowners are willing to forego a little wall space in the adjoining room in order to increase the size of their kitchen.

Use inside cabinet accessories to make the most of your storage.

We can all benefit from a little more organization, no matter what style or size kitchen we have. In a galley kitchen, inside cabinet accessories are especially beneficial, because they help you to take advantage of every inch and corner of your cabinets. Some of our personal favorites include base filler organizers and a Lazy Susan in a corner cabinet.