IF YOU’RE A keen cook, then no doubt your kitchen presses are chock-full of pots, pans and crockery. This means many items can end up stuck on the counter – not ideal if you love to rustle up big meals on a regular basis.
But it’s not just the ‘where to put stuff’ dilemma. Even if you’re an ultra-organised home cook, life in a small kitchen can be frustrating, bumping into whoever’s unloading the dishwasher as you try to get something out of the cupboard.
This week, we’ve scoured Instagram and found six smart kitchen solutions that will ensure every inch of your workspace is useful and clutter-free, making for easier meal prep and a kitchen that you’ll look forward to cooking in.
Chop chop: Slide out drawers are a great space-expanding idea. Easy to pull out and at waist height, the added bonus of this extremely smart design by @scavolini is the area to the side that’ll catch scraps, as well as the extra storage below. But if installing a whole new function like this will have to wait, check out this oak chopping board and stainless steel tray from Trouva, for a quick fix. It’ll still tidy away food in a pinch and shouldn’t take up too much of your precious workspace either.
Island life: In the planning stages of your kitchen renovation? A kitchen island not only looks great, it will be a godsend if you’re craving more space. A waterfall counter like this one from @dii_architecture not only makes an impact, but it ensures a whole lot more room for meal prep and casual meals, too. Find similar built-in styles at B&Q.
Moveable feast: No kitchen island? No problem. We love how @tiia.idrosenberg has created this makeshift island by placing two trolleys from IKEA back-to-back. They not only double the counter space but add more storage below, too. Also, the light birch wood means that colour-matching them to the kitchen presses with a lick of paint will make them feel right at home.
Frame it: If storage is tight, then take some design advice from @millhousedesignco and install a shelving unit that’s not dissimilar to your window frame. The unit won’t stick out like a sore thumb but it will free up your countertops and presses in no time while keeping your favourite pieces within easy reach. Find similar at Woo Design.
Metal hang out: Your walls can work as storage too, especially if you have kitchen utensils you’d like to show off. Do like @meganzietz and create a simple pantry that can be home to veg and bits and bobs that won’t clutter up your counter. Find similar at Nisbets.
The right light: The correct kitchen lighting will go a long way when creating a safe workspace, and an overall finished look. Think of ambient and task lighting in this space while ensuring fixtures are fitted with function in mind.
A set of large pendants like @fourbrothersllc has here is a aesthetically pleasing and mixing them with spotlights proves that this is a hardworking space. Find similar pendants at Industville.
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