Building healthy eating and lifestyle habits is even easier when you love the space you’re in. In this blog, we’ve compiled our top tips to designing a kitchen that not only looks good, but changes the way you live, for the better! (While still saving room for a little indulgence now and then!)
Start With Smart Design
The design and layout of your kitchen should be carefully considered. When your space is thoughtfully planned, spending time in the kitchen prepping food won’t be a chore, it will become enjoyable. Here are some key things to consider:
Bench space:
A clear benchtop equals a clear mind. We all know how many ingredients healthy recipes often call for, so having enough bench space makes a big difference. You’ll have more room to prep, assemble and plate meals without feeling cramped and flustered. When it comes to the least rewarding part, the clean up, opting for easy-to-clean materials like stone benchtops and glass splashbacks will make this last step a breeze, so food prep can become a mindful experience.
Storage:
Healthy-cooking appliances like blenders, air-fryers and grills are excellent for healthy cooking but they take up a lot of room. Our solution? Hidden appliance cabinets, just like the one pictured above. We also love deep drawers, or if you have the space, a scullery! Now is also the time to consider where your reusable containers will go. The Tupperware drawer is a point of contention in most households, so consider a designated area for glass containers and lids to avoid kitchen-rage.
Flow:
Have you ever been in a kitchen where moving something from the stove to the sink feels like an obstacle course? Or the fridge and pantry door open in a way that completely blocks you from the stove you’re trying to sprinkle spices at? A simple concept to ensure your space flows well is the kitchen triangle method. This involves positioning the sink, fridge and stove all within proximity to form a loose triangle shape. The triangle layout allows for smooth and easy movement which can help to boost productivity. Productivity boosts energy -> energy lifts your mood.
Get Organised for Success
Now that you’ve got your beautiful new kitchen installed, the next step is organising it in a way that makes sense:
Pantry Pride:
Taking pride in the way your food is stored harvests healthy food choices. In our recent Middle Swan project, pictured here, the family have arranged their pantry so that everything is beautifully organised in it’s sliding drawers and open shelves, and all the essentials are on display. By removing the clutter and chaos you can easily see what you need, making the task of cooking feel more achievable and time-efficient. Reducing your food prep time means more time for outdoor activities and socialising which equals better mental health and improved productivity. It’s a no-brainer!
Bring nature indoors:
A trick that’s as decorative as it is convenient is a bowl of fruit in a spot you look at or walk past often. It adds colour to the space and increases your appetite for wholefoods. Consider growing fresh herbs or arranging seasonal flowers or plants around the space. Indoor plants improve air quality, can reduce stress and as a result enhance your mood and mindset.
Prepare a few snacks and meals ahead of time:
Set aside a section of your fridge or pantry for healthy snacks or prepped meals, so you can grab them easily when you’re in a rush. Spending an afternoon of your weekend making nutritious, perfectly portioned lunches for the week ensures you won’t need to duck down to the lunch bar when you’re short of time at work. You’ll save yourself time as well as ensuring you’re keeping your energy levels up with quality ingredients. This is when those gorgeous new glass containers come in handy!
Ready to Start Your Healthy Cooking Journey?
Healthy cooking doesn’t have to be hard. If your kitchen isn’t making it easy, it might be time for a new one! Our team of expert kitchen designers will work with you to make sure your new space is beautiful, functional and ready to help lead a healthy lifestyle!
Visit one of our five Perth showrooms or get in touch today to book your free design consultation.
See some more of our favourite kitchen projects here!