As some of you may be aware, we're getting a new kitchen...hooray!! We are putting a new kitchen in our extension and will be opening up the veranday where the kitchen is. For the past 8 years I've been cooking in our little green kitchen and many people have asked how we don't get driven to insanity trying to cook in there. Yes, at first, there were some frustrating moments, but after a few simple changes, it became a whole lot easier. Here are our five tips for cooking in a small space. x
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Marinya Cottage Kitchen's tips for cooking in a small space
Make more space.
If you can squeeze an extra table or workbench in somewhere, do it!! If you can hang pots up or put some racks in somewhere, do it!! We purchased a a little foldable table and place the thermomix or juicer on it. This frees up some bench space and makes food preparations loads easier. We also keep a couple of containers above the fridge and store trays and baking tins in the oven.
Be a clean cook.
Prepare the food and do all the chopping before you start cooking. I also start by clearing the dish rack and filling the sink with water so that I can wash as I go. I find that I enjoy cooking so much more when I'm well prepared and not tripping and fumbling over stuff and myself.
Use the space outside the kitchen.
We have a chest of drawers, just outside of the kitchen area, that we keep bowls of fruit on top of and store platters and small appliances inside. Whilst it's great to have things that you use regularly nearby, you don't need everything at fingertips reach. We also use our kitchen table for chopping and preparing when more than one of us is working on dinner.
Declutter and if you don't use it, give it away.
Even if you have an enormous kitchen, this one is important. A cluttered kitchen can be stressful and a big time waster. I find that I take half the time to prepare a meal after I've done a big clean out because everything is accessible and easy to get to. We also found that when we purchased our Thermomix, we were able to give away a few small appliances that we no longer used. (I highly recommend looking into a thermomix if you have a small kitchen)
Learn to love your kitchen
I love neutral colours so working in a green kitchen use to be my idea of a terrible nightmare but over the years I have learned to love it and all of its quirkiness. We've had lots of laughs, a few tears and plenty of fun cooking together and relaxing as a family in our tiny green kitchen. Put your favourite music on, pour yourself a nice drink and relax. Cooking can still be enjoyable in very small spaces.
If you can squeeze an extra table or workbench in somewhere, do it!! If you can hang pots up or put some racks in somewhere, do it!! We purchased a a little foldable table and place the thermomix or juicer on it. This frees up some bench space and makes food preparations loads easier. We also keep a couple of containers above the fridge and store trays and baking tins in the oven.
Be a clean cook.
Prepare the food and do all the chopping before you start cooking. I also start by clearing the dish rack and filling the sink with water so that I can wash as I go. I find that I enjoy cooking so much more when I'm well prepared and not tripping and fumbling over stuff and myself.
Use the space outside the kitchen.
We have a chest of drawers, just outside of the kitchen area, that we keep bowls of fruit on top of and store platters and small appliances inside. Whilst it's great to have things that you use regularly nearby, you don't need everything at fingertips reach. We also use our kitchen table for chopping and preparing when more than one of us is working on dinner.
Declutter and if you don't use it, give it away.
Even if you have an enormous kitchen, this one is important. A cluttered kitchen can be stressful and a big time waster. I find that I take half the time to prepare a meal after I've done a big clean out because everything is accessible and easy to get to. We also found that when we purchased our Thermomix, we were able to give away a few small appliances that we no longer used. (I highly recommend looking into a thermomix if you have a small kitchen)
Learn to love your kitchen
I love neutral colours so working in a green kitchen use to be my idea of a terrible nightmare but over the years I have learned to love it and all of its quirkiness. We've had lots of laughs, a few tears and plenty of fun cooking together and relaxing as a family in our tiny green kitchen. Put your favourite music on, pour yourself a nice drink and relax. Cooking can still be enjoyable in very small spaces.
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