Looking to transform the kitchen in your narrowboat? You’re certainly in the right place if you don’t know where to start. 

It’s not always easy deciding on a theme, let alone learning how to use space creatively when working with such a small area.

Here you’ll find some tips to get you started so you can avoid any common pitfalls during the renovation. We’ve also listed some existing narrowboat kitchen ideas, so you can get inspired and make the most of your space.

 

Narrowboat kitchen design tips 

Before we jump straight into narrowboat kitchen ideas, familiarising yourself with a few dos and don’ts is good.

This way, you can make the most of your time and energy and get a great result, whether you’re updating your kitchen yourself or hiring a team of professionals.

 

1. Decide on your layout 

Making creative use of your space is necessary to get the most out of your narrowboat kitchen. Deciding on your layout before getting to work is the most important step.

Going in blindly could leave you disappointed with the result or mean the space doesn’t reach its potential.

The whole point of renovating your kitchen space is to improve it, and that’s what we’re here to help you achieve.

Start by assessing the boat you’re working with. For example, if your narrowboat is above 57ft, you may have room for a wider kitchen.

However, if space is limited, you might find that a galley kitchen suits you best. This is a longer, narrower kitchen that has most of its surfaces and appliances on one side. They’re common on narrowboats.

Once you have a rough layout in mind, there are a few other things to consider before brainstorming narrowboat kitchen ideas.

Related: Complete guide to fitting out a narrowboat (DIY)

 

2. Combat condensation and mould

Condensation occurs when warm air meets colder surfaces. Moisture appears on these surfaces, leading to mould if left unchecked.

Since they’re an enclosed space, narrowboats can easily harbour condensation and mould if proper ventilation isn’t installed.

This is especially true in kitchens, which produce a lot of warm air during cooking.

To make sure your narrowboat kitchen designs hold their beauty, you should make sure you take this into account before any work begins.

The best ventilation options for narrowboat kitchens include:

You can also use moisture absorbers to trap excess moisture before it creates mould.

Another tip is to avoid having carpet fitted in your narrowboat kitchen, as it will cling on to excess moisture and could cause a musty, damp smell.

If you want to create a cosier atmosphere, consider choosing a rug instead, as you can either clean or replace it if this issue occurs.

 

3. Plan your aesthetic 

If you’re in the process of fitting out your narrowboat and are passionate about interior design, you might want to plan the overall theme before making any improvements.

A consistent theme throughout your narrowboat can make a statement and give it a unique, homely feel.

For example, if you have a retro kitchen next to a rustic living space, it could feel a little disjointed or mismatched and even lead to you wanting to make further renovations down the line.

If you want some consistency in your narrowboat’s design, consider this while browsing narrowboat kitchen ideas.

You can use them to get your creative juices flowing and brainstorm how you want your other rooms to look.  

Related: Narrowboat bedroom ideas (design & layout tips)

 

Narrowboat kitchen ideas 

 

1.  

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This bright and airy narrowboat kitchen is easy on the eyes. The white units, walls, and décor contrast beautifully with the wooden worktops and illuminate the space.

The overhead shelves are a great example of creative use of space and provide storage for many kitchen utensils that would otherwise take up cupboard or counter space.

Overall, this lovely neutral design allows for the odd personal touch, such as the vintage lamp seen in this image.

  

2. 

 

Are you a continuous cruiser? If so, you’ll love the inventive wall storage in this narrowboat kitchen.

The shelves secure various kitchen utensils to the wall with neat, subtle stoppers. This makes it unlikely for belongings to fall off and smash whilst cruising, which can happen if you’re not careful.

The grey worktops blend well with the neutral tones of the walls and the added décor. The white and marble vases brighten up the space and make it feel lived in.

Related: The 10 best narrowboat blogs in the UK

 

3.  

This kitchen has a modern rustic feel thanks to the wood finish cupboards and cleverly displayed knife collection on the wall. The wood plank door accentuates this, as do the deep green plants chosen to decorate the space.

Overhead shelves are a favourite in narrowboat kitchens. The ones used in this example are reminiscent of farmhouse-style furnishings and match the rustic theme perfectly.

The rivet-style clocks give this narrowboat kitchen design a nautical feel, too. You can find similar clocks here to add this touch to your space.

 

4. 

Here’s a unique design perfect for those with eccentric tastes.

It’s certainly eye-catching, but there’s not so much going on that it distracts from the design’s simplicity.

While you can’t call it minimalistic, the base design is surprisingly simple—and the storage options mean there isn’t too much clutter to complicate it.

The overhead shelves keep the space tidy and allow the design behind them to shine through. The worktops are neutral, and shift focus to the tiling, which is the main feature of this narrowboat kitchen design idea. 

 

5. 

 

Looking for a classic look with a modern twist? This design is just that and has so much potential for further personalisation.

It features a classic wooden worktop and brass tap, but the deep blue kitchen units and white plank walls bring it straight into the 21st century.

The overhead cupboard makes creative use of the space available, especially since it will fully secure any belongings stored inside.

Related: Complete guide to narrowboat paint designs

 

 

6. 

 

This narrowboat kitchen has both a retro and shabby chic feel to it. The pastel pink and green colour scheme is reminiscent of the 50s but with a contemporary twist.

The use of spindles as a partition wall leading into the living space is a unique touch and opens up the space so it doesn’t feel overly cramped.

Hooks are used as overhead storage, helping the counters keep their spacious appearance.

 

Specialist narrowboat insurance through Insure4Boats

Since you’re investing so much money and effort into your narrowboat, you may want to protect it through specialist narrowboat insurance.

With  Insure4Boats, the cover protects your boat against theft, accidental damage, malicious damage, and salvage charges.

You can also opt to include Third Party Liability and contents protection, so you have nothing to worry about when cruising the waterways.

Click here to discover more about how we can help, or get an instant online quote today.

Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.