20 Parallel Modular Kitchen Designs For Your Home

by Anmol Kalro | January 15, 2024 | 11 mins read

Parallel kitchen designs for your home

Coeval meets convenience to bring you the latest trends in parallel kitchen designs that are truly tantalising. 20 designs for 2020. 

Your kitchen is the heart of your home, so you’d best be shaping it up to be like one – concrete and beautiful. Given that apartments today, owing to a lack of space, leave you just about enough space for a petite pantry area, a spectacular way to bring home the bacon (and literally too) is by incorporating a parallel kitchen design in your abode.

Parallel kitchens, also known as galley kitchens are modern kitchen design concepts where two kitchen platforms, along with crafty cabinets run parallel to one another. They’re gaining popularity, especially with small apartment dwellers hand over fist.

Here are 20 marvellous parallel kitchen design ideas you could use to give your kitchen that extra ginger it needs: (okay, no more food puns, we swear!)

Top 5 advantages of owning a parallel kitchen

The All-White Parallel Kitchen

For anyone who assumes that white kitchen furniture is likely to stain, we’ve got one word for you – quartz. An all-white parallel kitchen design like this one is a winner for many reasons. Not only does white make your preparation area elegant and posh, but also makes it appear airy, which is extremely important in a tiny kitchenette.

All-white parallel kitchen with quartz countertop appears airy
Modern interior design of a small kitchen with off-white cabinetry

Colour Me Bold Parallel Kitchen Design

A bright-coloured kitchenette makes one hell of a statement that is sure to turn heads. Red for one, is said to rev up people’s appetite and make them hungry. Besides looking absolutely stunning, a bold red modern parallel kitchen design is also likely to enliven the rest of your abode.

Red modern parallel kitchen design is likely to animate the rest of your abode
Bold Red kitchenette in a modern parallel kitchen design
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All Black Everything

A parallel kitchen design demands sleekness in every corner. You can’t have a narrow area of floor space to walk into and have cabinets protruding from both sides like snags. A sleek black kitchenette organised into a flat plane on both parallels does more than just free up space. Paired with the right backsplash lighting, this design defines simplicity with class.

A black coloured modern parallel kitchen designs is one of the best parallel kitchen designs with a glossy finish and elegant look
Modern black and white kitchen interiors with a red statement lamp

It’s Not Good Enough If It’s Not Wood Enough

With enough space on your plate, consider a modern wooden parallel design paired with a sleek marble island in the centre to complement the subtlety of warm browns. Apart from being durable and very easily customisable, wood has a classic appearance that is truly timeless.

A parallel modular kitchen design with a wooden finish with wall mounted cabinets and marble countertop is one of the best parallel platform kitchen designs
Wooden parallel kitchen unit with colonial-style interiors

Space Saver Sanction

If you’re a family of 4+, a minimalistic parallel kitchen design simply won’t suffice. More folks require more forks. But it’s rather difficult to squeeze in all those storage items, especially if a lack of space is your prime concern. A space-saving parallel kitchen design that uses every inch of the kitchen floor is just what you need. Accurately fitted and neatly arranged, these wonderful whites are true space-saving heroes.

A white space saving parallel modular kitchen designs with large wall mounted cabinets is one of the best kitchens in the catalogue
Simple white parallel modular kitchen design with space-saving cabinetry concept

Natural In Stones

A more artistic route to take would be to incorporate natural stones like marble or granite for countertops in your parallel kitchen design. All that looks vintage looks rich and marble does marvels giving your kitchen an added aesthetic appeal.

A natural feel of stones with bright white colours is an indian parallel kitchen interior design for small space
White bar-style parallel kitchen design with granite countertop and illuminating pendant lights

Dark Wood Dining

Sleek storages and a glimpse of grandeur can be found in the smallest of spaces. If you’re looking for a modular kitchen design idea that ace both aspects of utility and pizazz, a dark wood finish for cabinets on both parallels is just what you need. If you’re not very cut to the bone in terms of space, you must consider one that opens up to be a dining room too.

Modern parallel kitchen style designs with a look of old days of parallel modular kitchen designs in india
Modern parallel kitchen with dark wood panelling lends a glimpse of grandeur
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The Wine And Dine Parallel Kitchen Design

There’s a lot you can do with limited space, but a lot more with space restrictions out of the window. A gourmet parallel kitchen design that boasts a bar style kitchen island with a built-in rack and gorgeous granite countertops would literally never want you leaving the place. Step up and smell the rosé.

An Indian parallel kitchen interior design with an island in the middle and striking orange wooden finish with white marble countertop
Luxury parallel kitchen with a bar-style kitchen island and maple cabinets

Luxury Cherrywood Parallel Kitchen Design

A luxurious home demands grandeur in every room, your kitchen included. Parallel kitchen designs with chic cherry wood cabinetry and marble countertops do much to glorify your galley area. And for the cherry on the top, install the perfect pair of hanging pendant lights to complement the royal brown of cherrywood.

A wooden cherrywood finish modular kitchen with marble countertops and cabinet on each and every side of parallel platform kitchen designs
Parallel kitchen in luxury home with cherry wood cabinetry

Man(or) Of Steel

Everything about an ultra-modern grey parallel kitchen has sophistication written all over it. Bigger homes with contemporary furniture demand that the kitchen adds to some of the Hollywood factor too. Enter: An all grey stainless-steel splendour. With more space in your custody, get creative by adding a stainless-steel kitchen island to this beauty.

Indian parallel kitchen interior design with everything made up of stainless steel including cabinets, countertops and shelves
A parallel kitchen with stainless steel kitchen island is an ultra-modern design idea

Cosy Kitchen Corner – The Young Hustler’s Choice

For young adults who don’t intend on being food connoisseurs any time soon but require a kitchenette with basic functionality nonetheless, a petit parallel kitchen designed in one corner of your home is a perfect choice. Furthermore, all-white cabinets and large windows are sure to turn this corner from crammed to cosy with minimum effort.

White coloured open cabinets and the countertop attached beside the window made in a very small space of a small parallel kitchen design in india
Cosy white Parallel kitchen with red components is just perfect to work in

Underrated Warm Undertones

If you’re the kind of person who wishes to have rooms stripped to bare essentials, this one has got to be your pick. The use of warm undertones and a large window between both parallels of your kitchen makes this simplistic design radiate elegance. Further, the use of glass for cabinets and an integrated sink complements the aesthetics of this space-saver.

A cosy and lovely pink coloured cabinet attached beside the window on wall cabinets of a small parallel kitchen design
Small snug light pink parallel kitchen design for radiant elegance
Looking for the best materials & finishes for your modular kitchen

Classy Colossal Parallel Kitchen Design

A charming parallel kitchen design and one that’s most suitable for all party hosts is an all-white wonder with traces of wood and a lovely centre island. It is spacious and elegant and is most ideal if you often have guests over at your house. Moreover, corner cabinets in the design ensure minimum wastage of space, making it a perfect combination of class and utility.

A white coloured spacious kitchen with wooden flooring with a island inside of a classic white parallel kitchen design
Spacious parallel kitchen design with dark wood centre island

Parallel Kitchens With Handleless Cabinets

Nothing says space-saving like a parallel kitchen design with hand-less cabinets. Best suited for petite pads, this seamless charmer fits right in with a modern home. With an integrated sink and some glass fittings, this all white-beauty makes even a tiny kitchen look elite and airy.

Gourmet interior of a minimalistic kitchen in a parallel shape for parallel kitchen
Gourmet parallel kitchen interior with white handleless cabin storage

Monochrome Magic

The white and black classic makes for a tasteful combination when it comes to kitchen interiors. No space for a dining room? No problem. This modern monochrome affair could be spruced up a notch by integrating a marble countertop kitchen island cum dining table right at the centre of your kitchen. 

Parallel kitchen design with everything white including the cabinets and shelves of a kitchen island
A monochrome affair with white cabinetry and an extended kitchen island

Que Living In America

People often turn to the American way of doing things and seemingly more with home interiors these days. This blend of simplicity and finesse is depicted in white cabinets and hardwood floors of the classic American parallel kitchen design.

Parallel kitchen design with two white coloured countertops parallel to each other in american style with cherry colour wooden flooring matching with white colour of kitchen cabinets
Classic American parallel kitchen with white cabinetry blends simplicity and finesse

The Minimalist Parallel Kitchen Design

Centred around using simple colours and cabinets, and keeping the storage to just bare essentials, this parallel kitchen design is for the ones who like to keep it light and breezy with no embellishing. After all, in simplicity lies utmost elegance.

A minimalistic kitchen style of parallel modular kitchen designs in a U shape separated by sink
Simple white classic interiors for a small parallel kitchen
Space saving home interiors with 20% extra space

Modern Peninsula Parallel Kitchen Design

For a more spacious feel, opt for a peninsula-style parallel kitchen design that looks stylish while also occupying less space. Although an open kitchen could be quite tedious to maintain, this sleek enchanter makes the maintenance worthwhile. 

A white coloured parallel kitchen with two kitchens with sink countertop and gas countertop parallel to each other with a large clock hanging on the wall and a glass door of the balcony
Peninsula style parallel kitchen with wooden flooring is apt for modern apartments

The Window Of Space-Saving Opportunities

There are plenty of options to save space with a parallel kitchen design in a modern studio apartment. The key is to select one that fits in perfectly well with the rest of your home. A wooden countertop cum dining table incorporated in your kitchenette is a great way to save space in a smaller home. Who said dinner with a view is only for the wealthy? 

A grey fell parallel modular kitchen with a big window on a large countertop made up of wood
Space-saving parallel kitchen design in a modern studio apartment

The Smart Parallel Kitchen

For a compact home, cut out any complexities in your kitchen design by adopting a combination of calming undertones and highlighting these with green elements to further accentuate its beauty. Sometimes, basic is bonny.  

A smart parallel kitchen design with green plants inside the kitchen with very large cabinets attached till the end of the wall
Stylish beige furniture in a petite parallel kitchen with green embellishments – as cute as it can be

And it’s a wrap! 20 designs of parallel kitchens you can choose from to get out the best of your culinary talents. They are sleek, classy, elegant and charming – everything you will want in your kitchen decor.

If you enjoyed reading about parallel kitchen designs, also explore 12 Stylish Kitchen Cupboard Designs.

FAQs On Parallel Kitchen Design

1. Is a parallel kitchen design suitable for small kitchens?
Yes, a parallel kitchen design can be suitable for small kitchens, as it maximizes the available space while providing an ergonomic and efficient cooking experience. A parallel kitchen is designed with two parallel countertops with a narrow walkway in between. This layout works well in small kitchens as it minimizes wasted space, offers double countertop space, and allows for a smooth workflow.

2. How do I maximize storage in a parallel kitchen design?
The best way to maximize storage in a parallel kitchen design is with tall pantry units. They utilise the vertical and corner space of your kitchen without taking up too much floor space. Pull-out units are a great option for maximizing storage space in lower cabinets as they allow you to easily access items stored in the back of the cabinet. You can also install open wall shelves for quick access to frequently used items like spices, books, and crockery.

3. How can I incorporate an island into a parallel kitchen design?
To incorporate an island into a parallel kitchen design, it is important to choose the right size and design of the island. Stick to a compact island with a slim profile in a small parallel kitchen. Secondly, the island should be placed strategically so as to allow easy movement without hindering the flow of the kitchen. Make sure to use materials and finishes that complement the existing parallel kitchen cabinets and countertops.

4. Are there any specific lighting requirements for a parallel kitchen design?
Task lighting is important in a kitchen as it provides focused light for specific work areas. Install under-cabinet lighting to illuminate the parallel kitchen countertops and make cooking strain-free. Consider adding recessed lighting to provide ambient light throughout the space. Natural light can help make a parallel kitchen feel bigger and brighter, so maximize the natural light by adding windows.

5. How much space is required for a parallel kitchen design?
A minimum width of around 8 feet is needed to accommodate a parallel kitchen design comfortably. This will provide enough space for two parallel counters with a 3 feet wide walkway in between. This gap of 3 feet is essential to ensure comfortable movement around the kitchen and an efficient workflow.

6. How long does it take to install a parallel kitchen design?
The time it takes to install a parallel kitchen design can vary depending on the size and complexity of the kitchen, and the type of materials used. With DesignCafe you can get your entire home interiors along with a modular parallel kitchen design installed in just 15 days.

7. How much does it cost to install a parallel kitchen design?
The cost to install a parallel kitchen design depends majorly on three things – the kitchen size, the kitchen layout, and the materials and finishes being used. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere between 2 lac to 5 lac for designing and installing a parallel kitchen, depending on your budget. At DesignCafe, our modular kitchen designs are priced from 1.5 lac onwards.

8. What are some tips for maintaining a parallel kitchen design?
Follow these tips to keep your parallel kitchen well-maintained:
1) Regularly wipe your cabinets and appliances to prevent the buildup of dirt and grease and to keep your parallel kitchen in its best condition.
2) Use gentle cleaning products that are specially designed for use on kitchen surfaces. Avoid using abrasive cleaners as they can damage surfaces.
3) Install an appliance garage to keep appliances dust-free in a dedicated area and keep them working properly.
4) Install a high-quality chimney to keep your kitchen oil and smoke-free.

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Anmol Kalro is a content writer at Design Cafe's home interiors blog.

Anmol Kalro

Anmol Kalro is a content crafter and proofreader with a fine eye for detail. Having worked with several companies as a freelance writer, she is most passionate about framing sentences on lifestyle, love, philosophy, and technology. She holds three things dear: the sea, sourdough bread, and desk duty.

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