We spend a large amount of time in our kitchen and besides being a very functional room we must remember that this one should also be welcoming and safe. This is a room where crumbs, splashes and grease are a constant reality and a thorough cleaning is also a necessity. Whether we are building, renovating, or simply going for a spruce up, here is a list of basic suggestions that can really and easily make a difference.
To better work:
Plenty of bench-space to work on safely and comfortably; let's de-clutter the surfaces and consider adding an island if floor-space allows;
Close-to-reach surfaces near the cooking area to easily and safely move hot pans off the flame or out of the oven;
Well lit working areas;
A clear Kitchen Triangle: nothing should interrupt the working flow between fridge, sink, cooktop and back to the fridge. It's the busiest 'route' in the room and it should be free of hazards, obstacles or interruptions. And the fridge should open towards the Triangle, not away.
To better store:
Cabinetry to the ceiling, increasing the amount of storage space;
Not too deep cupboards for food and perishable items. Deep storage cabinetry tends to hide things from sight and memory;
Drawers instead of doors on cabinetry below the bench. This allows to easily reach all items that otherwise would be stuck at the back;
A walk-in pantry: great for storing and hiding things away. An extra sink in there will help to hide messy food preparation when guests are around.
To easily clean:
De-clutter all surfaces; this will not only make cleaning easy with a swoop of a cloth, but will also make the space seem larger, happier and inviting for work;
Up to the ceiling cabinetry will avoid grease accumulation and unsightly cluttering on top;
Closed doors instead of open shelves will stop dust and grease reaching our storage;
The smoother the surfaces the easier to clean. Can we do without door handles?
For a better look:
Avoid glass doors on cabinetry, which reveal mess and stop us from hiding things away.
Avoid wall to wall cabinetry but leave room to breath; wall-surface will make the room look lighter.
A well lit room will look inviting, airy and elegant.
Must have:
non slip flooring;
dishwasher right next to the sink;
clear bench space nearby the oven;
well lit and clear working surfaces;
bin very close to the prep area;
easy to clean floors and bench surfaces.
Some affordable extras:
soft-closing doors and drawers;
streamline handle-less cabinetry doors;
pull-out spout for the basin tap;
under cabinetry lighting.
And voilà, our kitchen is beautiful, safe and easy to clean.
James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information.