Opening Up a Shotgun-House Kitchen

Germantown, Schnitzelburg, and the Highlands are full of Louisville’s signature narrow floor plans — and their kitchens, usually one room wide at the back of the house, need moves that standard suburban remodels never think about.

Respect the Galley

Sometimes the right answer is embracing the galley: full-height cabinets on one wall, open shelving on the other, and a strict 42-inch working aisle. A well-run galley cooks better than most islands ever will.

Take the Wall (Carefully)

Opening the kitchen to the dining or living room is the most-requested project in these homes — and very often possible. The walls are usually load-bearing, which means a properly sized beam, a permit through Louisville Metro, and a pro who’s done this exact operation on this exact housing stock before.

Borrow the Light

Shotgun kitchens sit deep in the plan, far from windows. Interior transoms, glass-panel doors, open shelving instead of uppers, and light-reflecting finishes pull daylight through the house. A skylight or sun tunnel over the prep zone can change the room entirely.

Size Everything to the Room

Apartment-depth fridges, 24-inch ranges, and narrow work islands (or a vintage table) keep these kitchens proportional. Oversized appliances in a shotgun kitchen read as clutter, not luxury.

Live in One?

Call (502) 215-5855 and describe the layout — we’ll connect you with a local pro who knows Louisville’s older homes and can tell you exactly what your walls will allow.