A small galley kitchen is like Sydney peak-hour traffic: tight, busy, and every centimetre counts. But with smart planning and the right renovation approach, even the most compact galley layout—whether in a Chatswood apartment, a Newtown terrace, or a classic Federation home in Ryde—can be transformed into a high-functioning, stylish and organised space. Below is a practical, expert-driven guide on how to squeeze maximum storage out of your galley kitchen without compromising on comfort, workflow, or aesthetics.

1. Understand the Natural Flow of a Galley Kitchen

Before installing a single drawer or shelf, you need to understand how a galley kitchen works.
A galley kitchen is essentially two parallel runs—like two lanes of the M4—so the goal is to keep everything within easy reach while avoiding clutter.

Plan Zones Based on Daily Routines

• Prep zone: near benchtop space

• Cooking zone: next to stove/cooktop

• Cleaning zone: around the sink and dishwasher

• Storage zone: food, utensils, pots and small appliances grouped logically

A well-zoned galley kitchen means you aren’t zig-zagging from one end of the “corridor” to the other like you’re running a morning 5km.

2. Install Full-Height Cabinetry to Multiply Storage

Most older homes across Sydney—especially 1950s brick houses in Carlingford or 1980s apartments in Epping—have wasted overhead space.

Go Vertical

Instead of stopping cabinets at 2,100mm, take them all the way to the ceiling.
You gain:

• 20–30% more storage instantly

• A cleaner, more built-in look

• Less dust collecting above cabinets (a win for everyone)

Use the top sections for items you don’t use daily, like festive dinnerware or rarely-used appliances.

3. Replace Shelves with Soft-Close Drawers

This is one of the biggest game-changers in small kitchens.

Why Drawers Beat Shelves

• They pull out fully—no more crawling on the floor to find pots.

• They store more volume efficiently.

• They improve ergonomics, especially in narrow spaces.

Sydney homeowners upgrading older kitchens in places like Marrickville, Strathfield, or Hornsby often choose deep pot drawers because they provide a “Tetris-like” organisation that makes tiny kitchens feel twice as big.

4. Use Pull-Out Systems to Access Every Corner

When space is tight, you can’t afford to let a single corner become a “black hole.”

Recommended Pull-Out Solutions

• Pull-out pantries for narrow spaces (150–300mm gaps)

• Pull-out spice racks

• Pull-out bins

• Under-sink organisers

• Corner carousels or LeMans shelves

These systems allow you to fully use awkward narrow spaces commonly found in units from Neutral Bay to Parramatta.

5. Add Open Shelving for Quick-Grab Items

Open shelves can dramatically lighten the look of a narrow galley kitchen.

Best Uses for Open Shelves

• Everyday plates

• Glasses

• Coffee mugs

• Commonly used pantry items

Keep it minimal so it looks intentional, not messy. This trick is especially popular in inner-city suburbs like Surry Hills or Redfern, where kitchens tend to be slim but homeowners love a decorative, lifestyle-driven style.

6. Choose Slimline Appliances That Fit the Space

A full-size 900mm oven in a tiny galley kitchen is like driving a bus into a laneway. Don’t do it.

Better Alternatives

• 600mm oven

• 450mm dishwasher

• Compact fridge for apartment living

• Induction cooktop (often slimmer and cleaner)

Streamlining appliance widths frees up more cabinet space on both sides of the kitchen.

7. Double Your Storage with Multifunctional Features

Work smarter, not harder—your kitchen should do the same.

Smart Storage Ideas

• Built-in microwave cabinets

• Toe-kick drawers (the secret weapon under the base cabinets)

• Benches with integrated storage

• Fold-out benchtop extensions

Homes in areas like North Sydney, St Leonards and Pyrmont benefit greatly from these multipurpose solutions due to the prevalence of smaller apartments and studio layouts.

8. Keep the Benchtops as Clear as Possible

In a small galley kitchen, clutter is the enemy.
Every appliance sitting on the bench steals visual and physical real estate.

How to Declutter Effectively

• Store appliances in appliance garages behind lift-up doors

• Add dividers in drawers for utensils

• Use magnetic walls to hold knives

• Add hooks or rails for cups and teaspoons

A clean benchtop makes a narrow kitchen feel wider, brighter and more spacious—especially important in kitchens with limited natural light, such as those in many terraces in Newtown, Balmain and Paddington.

9. Maximise Light and Colour for a Larger Feel

Storage is not only about cabinetry—it’s also about perception. The right colours and lighting make any galley kitchen feel more open.

Design Tips That Expand the Space

• Choose light-coloured cabinetry

• Add under-cabinet LED lighting

• Use reflective surfaces like glass splashbacks

• Choose matte-white or gloss-white finishes

This trick works wonders in classic coastal suburbs like Manly, Coogee or Cronulla where homeowners want that bright, airy feel.

10. Use Professional Planning to Avoid Cluttered Results

A small kitchen can become cramped quickly if not designed carefully. That’s why professional planning matters—especially in renovation-heavy suburbs like Lane Cove, Five Dock and Hills District areas where homeowners are modernising older layouts.

What Professionals Can Do That DIY Often Misses

• Measure workflow and traffic patterns

• Balance aesthetics with practicality

• Customise cabinetry based on your cooking habits

• Integrate appliances seamlessly

• Make full use of wall cavities, corner voids and hidden structural space

The difference between a cramped and a perfectly functioning kitchen often comes down to smart professional planning.

11. MB9 Australia's Approach to Small Galley Kitchens

As a renovation company working throughout Sydney’s diverse housing styles—heritage terraces, post-war brick homes, narrow apartments and brand-new builds—MB9 Australia often helps clients:

• Redesign tight layouts for better workflow

• Custom-build cabinetry to the millimetre

• Integrate clever hidden storage

• Upgrade lighting to brighten narrow spaces

• Select appliances that maximise available width

• Install premium hardware for long-term durability

We’re also experienced with maximising low-storage kitchens commonly found in areas like Zetland, Mascot, Campsie and Sydney CBD apartments.

Final Thoughts

Maximising storage in a small galley kitchen is all about using every centimetre smartly—up, down, sideways and inside. With the right combination of vertical cabinetry, pull-out mechanisms, clever zoning and minimalist design, even the tightest kitchen in Sydney can feel spacious and highly functional.

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation anywhere in Sydney and want expert guidance on turning a narrow galley kitchen into a dream cooking space, visit www.mb9.com.au to learn more about kitchen renovation and bathroom renovation services from MB9 Australia Pty Ltd.