First-time homeowners need to identify the kinds of cooking that will be done, as well as the frequency and amount of food that’s ususally prepared. These affect how and where the storage areas should be to facilitate the cooking process.

Members of the family should have easy access to the kitchen, but ensuring their safety in the functional zone is also important.

Consider appliances that come with child-safe locks and ensure that sharp objects are kept away from open surfaces when not in use. Replace chemical detergents and cleaners with non-toxic versions and keep them out of reach from infants and toddlers.

For seniors, building more drawers that are at waist-level will help to ease the kneeling and stretching movements when reaching for items.

Today, we see more homeowners playing the role of a weekend baker, barista, or even pastry chef. Some are even running a food business from home, where a range of additional specific equipment and tools need to be properly stowed away.

Families that host dinner parties regularly may also need separate storage solutions to hold entertainment items, such as extra serving utensils, trays, and even disposable wares. Make a checklist of the things you have to see where they should go when the kitchen reno is completed.

Consolidate all of your dishware, from plates, bowls, and even your champagne glasses in one tall unit with customised shelves and drawers. Or you could also place an adjustable peg system by Hipvan ($29.90) in your drawers to organise your plates and bowls easily by repositioning to reconfigure the pegs anytime.

A cleverly designed pocket sliding door or roll-up cabinet cover hides kitchen appliances when they are not in use.

Don’t let any bit of space go to waste, not even the dead spaces around your sink. All of your cleaning sprays and refills fit perfectly here.

Mount your kitchen knife rack on your backsplash, it frees up countertop space while allowing for quick access to the knives that you often use. All while drying and ventilating them in between use.

Wash food items effortlessly with strainer bowls that go over your sink, freeing up the kitchen countertop space. A silicone pad is a must-have to place any wet dishes temporarily while prepping your food on the bamboo chopping board. Keep all the sink accessories efficiently in an all-in ($549) set by Franke.

Back-up consumable products, large occasional items like baking equipment items, and party ware can be stored in a bottom drawer, which is functional as a stepping storage box by Song Cho for you to reach for items at a higher level.

Look out for a multi-use Anywhere Tension Organiser by Hipvan ($49.90) that stores a range of kitchen essentials, from cooking utensils, cutleries, dish towel, and even condiments too.

With a proper inner divider system by Blum in place, everyone, including your guests can find the cutlery that they need in its dedicated compartment at a glance. Otherwise, get an IKEA AVSTEG kitchen utensil rack (from $3.90) that is well-ventilated for any wet cutlery.

With many essential kitchen tools from measuring cups, food peelers, scissors, and a pot stand, having a free- standing IKEA UPPFYLLD holder ($7.90) removes any possible mess on the countertop while you are in the middle of preparing your food.

Opt for space-saving and stackable cookware sets ($539) that come with removable handles by Tefal to keep away when not in use.

Rather than having a dish drying rack that hangs over your head, how about one that you can pull down manually? Additionally, you can also enjoy the electronic drying and UV sterilisation features in this dish drying rack by Song Cho too.

Store large and mismatched pots and pans in drawers that come with heavy-duty drawer tracks, or make use of a smart corner cabinet pull-out system by Hafele.

For a more sustainable lifestyle, integrate the IKEA HÅLLBAR waste sorting bins (from $12.90) near your sink, where you can separate food waste from recyclable items.

An alternative to having a slim spice rack drawer is this pull-down spice rack by Song Cho that can be tucked right next to your kitchen hood. Have all of your seasonings and condiments right at your eye level when you are in the middle of cooking.

Text: Jyn Teo/Home & Decor

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