Tiny Galley? No problem, man!
A narrowboat galley is as minimalist as one can get.
However, this small space works for me, forcing me to keep only the essentials for daily usage.
Being organised, practical, and making little tweaks daily helps to mitigate potential challenges and awkwardness, and to achieve a user-friendly, safe, and efficient environment.
Limited storage on board.
To organise the drawer, I've used plastic storage trays, which add compartments, to make items such as spices, condiments, and other goods more accessible and easier to find.
Additional Cupboard Space
This limited storage space requires us to stick to having essential items, and it helps to curb and dictate our shopping habits.
A single shelf for crockery.
I am not keen on accumulating plates, chinaware, and utensils for show and believe in only keeping what is used regularly. So, some of what you see here is an excess supply of what was gifted to me, which will be dropped off at a charity shop at some point.
Prepping and workspace
Working in a new kitchen takes some getting used to, regardless of the size or whether it's on a narrowboat or a conventional house. However, having lived on both, I can say that it takes more coordination and mental planning in terms of the order in which one works.
Here, the prep and workspace are on an adjustable and extended countertop.
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This folding plank is ace— practical, essential, space-efficient, and easy to clean.
However, it helps if you're organised to avoid needing to lift it while chopping vegetables and prepping in general.
Hanging Spaces
With the small space on a narrowboat, it's unrealistic, impossible, and cumbersome with excessive furnishings. Therefore, hanging space becomes essential.
Simple, inexpensive hooks that can be found in any hardware shop are ideal for use on wood.
I have taken an unconventional approach, and I changed the existing coat rack for pots and pans. This looks practical; pots are easily accessible and secured; and most importantly, they save space. Hanging items against a wall is great as it prevents the items from banging, especially while cruising or sleeping.
Hanging mugs save on space and are aesthetically appealing.
I was left with nowhere to place my eggs, which are guaranteed to keep them visible without cracking them by error, so I hung this metal basket. This way, the eggs and onions on the other side are secured and within reach, as I use both daily.
Hanging cooking utensils makes it easy to grab them while cooking and it eliminates the need to store them on the countertop, or in a drawer, which is not on the boat.
Coffee and tea station
I like the idea of having a designated coffee and tea area, and this one is a work in progress.
Continuing with the hanging of items, I recently found this coat hanger in a shop for only a pound, and I bought it to temporarily hang my coffee paraphernalia.
Having a separate coffee station makes it easier when cooking, especially since one could easily prepare a quick brew without interrupting the cook in the kitchen.
I am in the process of re-installing the shelf below, which will be convenient for canisters as well as a holder for coffee and other beverages while seated there.
Simplicity does it just as well.
Living simply does not have to be frugal or tasteless. Finding stylish, creative, and practical solutions to living in a minimalist space is achievable.
Here's a simple yet complete meal of peppered steak served with red wine, all cooked in my tiny kitchen.
Albeit, it's been one month that I've been aboard this narrowboat, and I do like changes, and if something proves to be a bad idea, then I rectify it accordingly.
As you may have noticed, there are no electrical appliances such as a microwave, toaster, blender, electric kettle, etc., which are all deliberate, as a narrowboat lifestyle is off-the-grid and solar-powered.
Cheers to a lovely weekend!
All images were captured with my mobile phone.
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Wow, everything is well organised, and seeing you had more to it to create space is very nice.
I agree on giving out what you don't use to charity. It'll be greatly used there.
And the meal, superb! It looks so good.
Thank you!🤗
I can see how these minimalist ideas appeal to you. Alas, circumstances, security, climate and other factors would make it almost impossible for you to live this way in your country, as I would also like to live in other places.
The meal was indeed delicious. 😋
Yeah, that's right! But I am doing the best I can living life with what I have in stock while I prepare for what I want.
Hehe, that's nice to know.
!luv
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Now, that's the spirit! You have the right idea there 🙌🙏🤞
Thank you so much ☺️. I appreciate the vibes.
I hope you are a bit better now.
I like your vibe too, and great logical reasoning.
Yes, I'm doing much better now. Thank you 🤗
See me blushing endlessly. Thanks, ma'am 😊.
That's very nice to know.
😊🤗
It would be impossible to have all these in a narrow boat without proper planning. I haven't boarded one before so I don't know how spacious it is but the (narrow) boat says it all.
The need for hanging items on the boat wall is inevitable just to create more space and avoid noise just as you have explained. I learned a few things and they will be helpful if I ever get to own a boat.
Do you stay at the shore or move about? How do you cope with network?
Not at all 😆 especially if it's under 45 ft long. However, it all depends on the layout, fixtures and amenities.
Atm, I live in a marina, so I am stationary. However, soon we should go cruising towards the midlands of the UK.
I have this Vodafone dongle for the internet supply. There's the occasional blindspot when cruising, and it doesn't work when going through tunnels. Other than that, it's fast and reliable. I got used to using dongles when I lived in the Philippines. The only difference is that this is faster and more reliable.👌
Oh okay... We struggle with the reception here on land not to speak of while on water.
I am certain you will have lots of fun heading towards the Midlands of UK... Looking forward to reading more about your trip.
I know very well how that goes. It's amazing that you still manage to keep up with your blog.
Enjoy the day further:)
No need for many things and stuff around us to be happy !LUV
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I feel the love.
Thank you :)
Absolutely! I'm constantly evaluating items purposes and looking for things that I can eliminate from my collection.
Happy weekend 🤗
Have a Happy Weekend too ❤️
😍
I like The Famous Grouse seasoning the most! 😁
Apart from it, I will enjoy having a coffee bar like yours if I had a boat.
Happy sailing! 🥃
Haha! It was a gift from the previous owner. It's perfect for marinating and cooking with. I used it in the peppered steak as a substitute for some Japanese Marin, and trust me, it was a hearty meal and I got a sound sleep.
Yeah, I'm working on my coffee bar area. A trip to the hardware is in order.
Happy weekend:)))
It all looks shipshape:)
😆 You are so good with words 😍
Thank you 😊🤗
The simpler, more practical and minimalist the better. That's the best. I like that kind of space, whether at home or on a trip. It's better to have everything close by, than not knowing where things are. :3
I've come to realise and appreciate this.
I spent 2 weeks away from the boat, recently. The first thing I observed was that the entire boat was smaller than the bedroom I stayed in. It made me smile, as I was happy to be living comfortably with just the basics:)
A happy weekend to you!
I can see that space saving is needed due to the nature of the narrow boat. I see this in a lot transportation modes that are used to get off the grid. We can't travel in a full size houses. It's not cost effective, more than likely not possible anyways, plus we all should only utilize what we actually need. Tidy makes things easier as well. If it collects dust and gets no use than why have it.
Have a great rest of your day 😊
Absolutely. 💯
There are some boats called widebeams, that are twice the width of narrowboats and are suitable for people who have a great desire to live on the canals. However, the widebeams are limiting in terms of cruising, as only some canals are wide, and there are very few locks that widebeams can ascend and descend to different levels, along the canal... (like going up and down hills) since canals are manmade.
I trust that you're having a great weekend:))
Living on a boat requires a certain order, and being very selective with the things we have on board.
For the little space there is, you have a good quantity and quality of useful things to satisfy your needs. Congratulations, you are very organized and selective
Have a wonderful weekend dear friend @millycf1976
Hello @jlufer
Yes, indeed! We need to be super organised, and since we're still new on this one, we're still finding our way.
Thanks for stopping by, as always.
Have a great weekend:)))
And this is taking space management to another level...And it also looks nice!!!...
"AKA teh pantry"... Awww... My mother calls a storage area in her kitchen "Pantry" in English... My grandmother did it too... I know that in Spanish it is "despensa" but my mother calls it "Pantry".. That has been discussed several times with my sisters ahahah :))Even my father used to say: What is the "pantry"?... to joke with my mother...
An excellent and enjoyable post @millycf1976!... Thank you for sharing!
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Hehe! Thank you 😊
Right now, I try to work with everything until the penny drops as to how to change or improve it.
🤣 It's something that would make hubby laugh out loud if I sent him to the pantry... just as your dad used to do 😆
I'm happy that you enjoyed this and it's always a pleasure reading your comments.
You make me smile 🙏
Thanks for your support:)))
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Wow, you've come up with some really good ideas here. I was recently cleaning and organizing my kitchen which is a small space, but despite that I realized how much unnecessary stuff I have.
To think that we can live quietly with less, seems like an idea worth considering.
Thank you 😊
More than you can imagine. I hope that you'll evaluate how much of what you have is needed, and maybe you could exchange items with a good friend who might have stuff that you need and vice versa.
Either way, it's great that you cleaned and organised your kitchen recently because that's always an invigorating activity:)))
Oh, Milly, I see how organized everything is here and I feel happy! :)))
But then I better don't see my pantry. The more space I have - the more clutter I have and not just essentials. 😂
Hey there! Thank you 😊
Yeah, I know how massive pantries can be. My best friend had an American-style farmhouse and her pantry was the size of a bedroom.
I get that!🤗
I mean, I think I can achieve this level of orderliness when I'm at a good mental place. This is so aesthetically pleasing, Milly. Simplistic and handy but beautiful and clutter-free. You must feel really proud of yourself setting all of this up. Well-done.🥰🌺
Thank you 😊
Oh, my! I need this kind of order
to bein a good mental place.😆Hehe, yeah, I'm happy with it because it works and makes my life easy and hazard-free. However, I try not to make any changes that are too permanent or costly, as it's early days on this boat and I'm still getting a feel of it:)))
All the best to you, Milly. Every post of yours about your time on this boat gives me the thrills. Looking forward to more of your explorations. Lots of !LUV to you, dearest.🥰🌺
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I'm pleased to hear that.
Living simply does something special to my mind that's hard to explain.
I'm looking forward to the different seasons on the canals.
I appreciate your kind words and love 😍🤗
A small space but you keep it very organized and efficient. You hanging method is very smart. Well done!
Thank you 😊
I'll consider making the bow of the boat a mudroom/garden/terrace/outdoor office and many more when the time comes 🙃
Good idea 💡 😆
👇 You motivate me 😆🤗
🤣😂
I love your kitchen setup, it looks so arranged. But the aspect I feel I missed is the food aspect. I hope I don't missed that next time..
Thank you!
You are welcome
I live in a small flat and I'm having a de-cluttering session. Why I've held on to so many things is mind boggling. I'm enjoying freeing up space.
Oh, dear! I know the feeling. I learned valuable lessons when I lived in the Philippines. When I was cleared to move back to the UK, I had 4 different kinds of coffee makers, and 3 rice cookers, yet I always cooked my rice on the stovetop. I had stuff that I had no memory of.
It's like the cleansing of the soul:)
HAppy Sunday!
You've just spurred me on! 🙂
I'm glad to hear that 😊🤗
I love the "This Bottle Cleans Up To" mystery. Probably deliberate.
Love this, though I imagine it takes some trial and error till you reach minimalist smooth sailing (had to).
Always thought they were unnecessary, to be honest, so no loss there. I was browsing accommodation the other day and found someone horrified at the lack of a microwave in one flat. The owner was like "but there's an actual oven" xD Healthier, anyway.
I'm glad like back on a boat is working out well <3
Hehe, it's the EcoVer washing-up liquid that is recommended for use on the canals, especially. I would never be able to do a count, but they say it cleans up to 3300 plates - 138 dinner parties (assuming 6 people). It would be amazing if it is true. What I do know, is that a little goes a long way.
It's amazing how creative your mind becomes when you don't have some of the everyday luxuries, and I like it. It's like feeding the soul, somehow.
I'm pleased with boat life again and looking forward to the upcoming warming months:)
Happy Sunday!
Amazing. Living with the basics demands
will power and a deep knowledge of oneself and what life means. I loved everything, and I think the coffee station will be something special when you finish even if it's just a few things there.
I have so many things that I have inherited from people who either died or emigrated that sometimes the house feels like a museum. Someday, I'll give away many, many things, I just don't feel like that time has come.
Have a wonderful day, my friend ❤️
Thank you 😊
You are right. I realise that more and more each day!
That's special in its way too. At least you have the space to accommodate them.
Exactly. I used to be foolishly sentimental, and it got to a stage where my excess possessions started making me unhappy. I've come a long way.
It's a shame that it might not be worth selling items secondhand in places like Venezuela.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week ahead❤️:)))
I really loved having a look inside your boat and see how you manage to store all these things. Although I'd LOVE to be able to have just a few plates and glasses, I really SUCK at being minimalistic with these things. I tried, I failed, tried again, failed again, lol.
I know in the end we only need so many things and this is really inspiring to see how you manage to utilize every tiny corner on that boat the way you do. Loving it!
I've never really been on a boat (at least not when I wasn't a child) so I can't speak from personal experience, only from what I've seen on tv shows and it's really inspiring to see which solutions there are for several problems. It often makes me think we should use these solutions in normal homes too..
Thank you for this nice little peek inside your home!
Have a great week ahead <3
Thank you 😊
I guess it's a thing I've had since I was a little girl.
My mother has had a ceiling-high cabinet of fine chinaware for 50 years that she never uses. It's just on display, and she then doubles up with ordinary stuff in the kitchen that is used daily.
I don't get that concept. I do like nice, unique, and quality crockery, but I prefer to enjoy eating from them instead of just having them take up a huge section of a room for display.
Compared to barges in places like the Netherlands, the narrowboats in the UK are unique because of their width, as the name implies—that's narrow. This is for the narrow canals here:)