11 Lessons We Can Learn From These Cooks' Kitchens
Fancy yourself a bit of a culinary artist? Then be inspired by these delightful kitchens and their practical inclusions
The kitchen is the heart and soul of the home, and whether you’re a seasoned master chef or just enjoy cooking for family and friends every now and then, there is one thing that is key to creating a successful cook’s kitchen … and it’s not the size! Planning your space for maximum usability and absolute practicality to assist with the cooking process is what this yarn is all about. So if you want to get the most out of your kitchen, read on as we ‘plate up’ some top tips we’ve borrowed from these cook-friendly kitchens.
2. A durable surface creates ease in the kitchen
A thick slab, high gloss, quartz benchtop like this one is not only a stylish choice for your kitchen benches, it’s also a prerequisite for building a kitchen that will last for years to come. Its good looks is just an added bonus for a surface that can handle the daily grind of a passionate cook.
Ellard’s top choice for benchtops is engineered quartz, as can be seen in this cook’s kitchen. “Quartz is an excellent material choice for benchtops in the kitchen of any discerning cook. It’s durable, stain-resistant, heat-resistant and easy to clean,” she says. “Quartz benchtops are also scratch resistant, so you can choose to chop directly on the surface, however you are likely to damage your knives, so I would always suggest using a chopping board.”
A thick slab, high gloss, quartz benchtop like this one is not only a stylish choice for your kitchen benches, it’s also a prerequisite for building a kitchen that will last for years to come. Its good looks is just an added bonus for a surface that can handle the daily grind of a passionate cook.
Ellard’s top choice for benchtops is engineered quartz, as can be seen in this cook’s kitchen. “Quartz is an excellent material choice for benchtops in the kitchen of any discerning cook. It’s durable, stain-resistant, heat-resistant and easy to clean,” she says. “Quartz benchtops are also scratch resistant, so you can choose to chop directly on the surface, however you are likely to damage your knives, so I would always suggest using a chopping board.”
The beauty of quartz is that it is an engineered stone, which, as Ellard explains, has another advantage: “Quartz is a composite material made from other stones including Caesar Stone, Silestone and Quantam Quartz ground together and bound with an adhesive. This means quartz can be more consistent in colour, depending on the look you want to achieve in your kitchen as opposed to using a natural stone.”
Quiz: What kitchen benchtop is right for you?
Quiz: What kitchen benchtop is right for you?
3. A deserted island creates the ultimate preparing space
This kitchen demonstrates perfectly why an uninterrupted benchtop on an island is a highly desirable commodity. The additional bench space this island creates is the perfect area to open a cookbook and prepare a meal with ease. Add some stools and it can also double as a dining space.
It can be tempting to pop a sink in the middle of your island for aesthetic reasons, but a standalone benchtop is valuable real estate in the kitchen of a cook. One fabulously practical tip shared by Ellard is to include a powerpoint into the build of the island. “Get your electrician to add some power points to the ends of your island bench,” she advises. Having access to power at your island bench will allow you to use small appliances such as food processors on the island while you prepare meals. It also gives you somewhere to plug in your laptop if you sit at the island to search for recipes.
Key measurements to consider when designing the perfect kitchen island
This kitchen demonstrates perfectly why an uninterrupted benchtop on an island is a highly desirable commodity. The additional bench space this island creates is the perfect area to open a cookbook and prepare a meal with ease. Add some stools and it can also double as a dining space.
It can be tempting to pop a sink in the middle of your island for aesthetic reasons, but a standalone benchtop is valuable real estate in the kitchen of a cook. One fabulously practical tip shared by Ellard is to include a powerpoint into the build of the island. “Get your electrician to add some power points to the ends of your island bench,” she advises. Having access to power at your island bench will allow you to use small appliances such as food processors on the island while you prepare meals. It also gives you somewhere to plug in your laptop if you sit at the island to search for recipes.
Key measurements to consider when designing the perfect kitchen island
4. A sociable island invites your guests to watch the action
You may know this design as a breakfast bar, but in a cook’s kitchen, it’s more commonly known as a sociable island. It is a pleasure to watch a cook at work, and the inclusion of a sociable island in your kitchen means you can give your dinner guests a front row seat to the main event.
The other added benefit of a sociable island is that you can continue to join in on the conversation with dinner guests while you’re preparing meals. You may decide to move the dinner to a more formal setting once the meal is prepared, or you can plate up and use the sociable island as a serving space for dining.
What we love about this kitchen and its use of the sociable island is how it spaces guests out so they are sitting opposite each other – a position that is more conducive to helping conversation flow as opposed to being in a row sitting side by side. The trick is to extend your island sideways rather than putting it parallel to the kitchen bench.
More sociable kitchen island set-ups
You may know this design as a breakfast bar, but in a cook’s kitchen, it’s more commonly known as a sociable island. It is a pleasure to watch a cook at work, and the inclusion of a sociable island in your kitchen means you can give your dinner guests a front row seat to the main event.
The other added benefit of a sociable island is that you can continue to join in on the conversation with dinner guests while you’re preparing meals. You may decide to move the dinner to a more formal setting once the meal is prepared, or you can plate up and use the sociable island as a serving space for dining.
What we love about this kitchen and its use of the sociable island is how it spaces guests out so they are sitting opposite each other – a position that is more conducive to helping conversation flow as opposed to being in a row sitting side by side. The trick is to extend your island sideways rather than putting it parallel to the kitchen bench.
More sociable kitchen island set-ups
5. Room to move is vital
Just like this kitchen, putting careful consideration into the layout of your space is key to ensuring you can move with ease from station to station. Keep the three most utilised appliances – the cooktop, fridge and sink, otherwise known as ‘the cook’s triangle’ – in close proximity to each other to make the cooking process more efficient. “Make sure you don’t have to manoeuvre around obstacles such as your island bench to move between these work stations or that you don’t have to walk too far from one to the other,” recommends Ellard.
It is also wise to ensure other parts of your kitchen don’t interrupt the flow within the triangle. For instance, make sure your pantry sits on the outskirts of the cook’s triangle. It’s important, but not as important as having those three appliances in close proximity to each other to promote flow during the cooking process.
Just like this kitchen, putting careful consideration into the layout of your space is key to ensuring you can move with ease from station to station. Keep the three most utilised appliances – the cooktop, fridge and sink, otherwise known as ‘the cook’s triangle’ – in close proximity to each other to make the cooking process more efficient. “Make sure you don’t have to manoeuvre around obstacles such as your island bench to move between these work stations or that you don’t have to walk too far from one to the other,” recommends Ellard.
It is also wise to ensure other parts of your kitchen don’t interrupt the flow within the triangle. For instance, make sure your pantry sits on the outskirts of the cook’s triangle. It’s important, but not as important as having those three appliances in close proximity to each other to promote flow during the cooking process.
6. Strategically wall-hung tools create easy access
There is nothing more frustrating than rifling through cupboards and drawers searching for a spatula or a lemon zester when the recipe calls for it right this very second.
As can be seen in this industrious kitchen which utilises a pegboard, hanging the implements you’re most likely to use during meal preparation takes the stress out of the situation and the clutter out of the cupboards. This move not only makes life that little bit easier, but as Ellard puts it, it makes the house seem more like a home. “I love homely kitchens that have a lived in feeling. One great way to add a more lived-in feeling to your kitchen is to have everyday items on show as opposed to hidden away in cupboards,” she says.
There is nothing more frustrating than rifling through cupboards and drawers searching for a spatula or a lemon zester when the recipe calls for it right this very second.
As can be seen in this industrious kitchen which utilises a pegboard, hanging the implements you’re most likely to use during meal preparation takes the stress out of the situation and the clutter out of the cupboards. This move not only makes life that little bit easier, but as Ellard puts it, it makes the house seem more like a home. “I love homely kitchens that have a lived in feeling. One great way to add a more lived-in feeling to your kitchen is to have everyday items on show as opposed to hidden away in cupboards,” she says.
You could also take a page out of this kitchen’s book and let your splashback double as a hanging space for pots, pans and knives. Not only is this look chic and modern, but it’s entirely practical to have the most important tools at your immediate disposal while cooking at the stove.
More kitchen storage hacks
More kitchen storage hacks
7. An organised cupboard is a cook’s best friend
This customised cupboard is a cook’s dream. Built-in spice racks on the doors of pantry cupboards takes the clutter out of your shelf space and simplifies the selection process.
To increase the practicality and storage capacity of a regular shelved pantry cabinet, Ellard suggests using some internal pull-out drawers behind the doors in the lower section of the pantry. Being able to pull out a drawer will allow you to easily see everything that is stored in it as opposed to trying to rummage at the back of a deep shelf.
This customised cupboard is a cook’s dream. Built-in spice racks on the doors of pantry cupboards takes the clutter out of your shelf space and simplifies the selection process.
To increase the practicality and storage capacity of a regular shelved pantry cabinet, Ellard suggests using some internal pull-out drawers behind the doors in the lower section of the pantry. Being able to pull out a drawer will allow you to easily see everything that is stored in it as opposed to trying to rummage at the back of a deep shelf.
In recent years, the butler’s pantry has seen a surge in popularity, and there’s no wonder why. They can provide a tucked away area offering a discreet sanctuary to prepare meals for formal occasions and hide the aftermath of an epic cook off. They can also incorporate additional food storage space or a nice mini bar fridge to chill wine in, which is perfect for the cook that likes to host dinner parties.
8. A built-in waste disposal system takes the mess out of cooking
It’s worth investing in a well-planned recycling and garbage system built into your kitchen to make waste disposal more streamlined.
This kitchen has a cleverly disguised waste system, utilising a wide drawer to accommodate three bins – perfect for sorting waste into recyclables, food waste and general waste, to make the clean up from cooking a cinch. Keeping the bins nearest to the preparation space means disposing of leftovers is as simple as sliding your waste system out and clearing your benchtops or chopping board straight into the bin.
It’s worth investing in a well-planned recycling and garbage system built into your kitchen to make waste disposal more streamlined.
This kitchen has a cleverly disguised waste system, utilising a wide drawer to accommodate three bins – perfect for sorting waste into recyclables, food waste and general waste, to make the clean up from cooking a cinch. Keeping the bins nearest to the preparation space means disposing of leftovers is as simple as sliding your waste system out and clearing your benchtops or chopping board straight into the bin.
This clever cook’s kitchen makes use of a custom-made benchtop that doubles as a chopping surface, with an ingenious disposal slot leading straight down into the waste system below.
9. A custom-built cookbook library makes referencing simple
As can be seen in this brilliantly thought-out space, it makes total sense to have a built-in shelving system to display your cookbooks and keep them at arm’s reach when you’re whipping up a masterpiece in the kitchen. Not only is it far more practical to include cookbooks in the kitchen than to run off to your home library, but it’s also a great way to bring some colour and interest into your kitchen design, too. Cookbooks are notoriously good looking and easy on the eye.
As can be seen in this brilliantly thought-out space, it makes total sense to have a built-in shelving system to display your cookbooks and keep them at arm’s reach when you’re whipping up a masterpiece in the kitchen. Not only is it far more practical to include cookbooks in the kitchen than to run off to your home library, but it’s also a great way to bring some colour and interest into your kitchen design, too. Cookbooks are notoriously good looking and easy on the eye.
If you’re more of a technical whizz, you might prefer to take inspiration from this clever kitchen. With a built-in iPad holder installed neatly under the overhead cupboard and right beside the stovetop, this mod con is perfectly positioned to follow recipes online and listen to your favourite music while you’re whipping up a feast.
10. Growing herbs in the kitchen makes fresh food faster
Why scour green grocers for parsley, mint, thyme, coriander and rosemary, only to throw most of them away when the week’s recipes don’t require the same herbs day in and day out?
We love the idea of including a built-in herb garden in the kitchen, as this original space demonstrates. It brings new meaning to ‘paddock to plate’ meals, as a fresh herb garden for garnishing meals is a chef’s delight. Having it right there, cultivating away in the kitchen, is a perfect way to ensure the best quality ingredients are always within reach.
8 fresh ways to plant herbs
Why scour green grocers for parsley, mint, thyme, coriander and rosemary, only to throw most of them away when the week’s recipes don’t require the same herbs day in and day out?
We love the idea of including a built-in herb garden in the kitchen, as this original space demonstrates. It brings new meaning to ‘paddock to plate’ meals, as a fresh herb garden for garnishing meals is a chef’s delight. Having it right there, cultivating away in the kitchen, is a perfect way to ensure the best quality ingredients are always within reach.
8 fresh ways to plant herbs
11. One storage space to house major appliances makes finding gadgets a breeze
Bulky items like blenders, juicers, food processors and slow cookers can take up their fair share of cupboard space. Besides the fact that they are large in size, these items are usually quite heavy in weight too, which means it can be quite tedious trying to fish one out of a cupboard, especially if it has been stored at the back corner where it requires you unpacking several other appliances to get to the one you’re after.
This kitchen has a well-planned storage facility built specifically to make these items more accessible for everyday use in the kitchen. Placing them in a tall pantry-style cupboard as opposed to a shorter but deeper cavity means you can space them out and distribute them evenly in the space, maximising their usability.
Sliding drawers within a cupboard that houses these ‘cook’s tools’ is also worth investing in to avoid the rotating of items to reach the device you’re after.
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Bulky items like blenders, juicers, food processors and slow cookers can take up their fair share of cupboard space. Besides the fact that they are large in size, these items are usually quite heavy in weight too, which means it can be quite tedious trying to fish one out of a cupboard, especially if it has been stored at the back corner where it requires you unpacking several other appliances to get to the one you’re after.
This kitchen has a well-planned storage facility built specifically to make these items more accessible for everyday use in the kitchen. Placing them in a tall pantry-style cupboard as opposed to a shorter but deeper cavity means you can space them out and distribute them evenly in the space, maximising their usability.
Sliding drawers within a cupboard that houses these ‘cook’s tools’ is also worth investing in to avoid the rotating of items to reach the device you’re after.
TELL US
What do you wish you had in your kitchen?
MORE
Where to Spend vs Where to Save on Your Kitchen Reno
10 Kitchen Design Solutions You Didn’t Know Existed
7 Super-Practical Things to Remember When Planning Your Kitchen
There’s lots to love in this sleek kitchen, but if you ask a cook what the most attractive feature is, without a doubt, it would be the state-of-the-art six-burner gas stove. All cooks will agree that this item is the single most important appliance to be included in their kitchen – and is most likely to be an inclusion in which they splurge on.
Kitchen and interior designer Anne Ellard agrees that a gas stove is a must should you want to ignite your passion for cooking. “When cooking, my biggest annoyance is when saucepans start boiling over and you can’t bring the heat source down fast enough; or when it takes forever to bring a pan of water to the boil,” she says. “A good quality cooktop will enable you to bring water to the boil quickly and efficiently, and will give you instantaneous control over temperature.”
Ellard says this can be achieved with either a gas or induction cooktop. “In my personal opinion, a gas cooktop is the ultimate choice, however those who like to cook with gas but would like to (or need to, due to lack of gas supply) switch to electric can get the same efficiency and control from an electric induction cooktop,” she says.
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