The kitchen plays the most important role in the home when it comes to hosting Christmas. A well laid out and practical kitchen that works hard for you can make cooking Christmas dinner a joy, whereas just small design flaws and layout issues can really work against you.
If you’re planning on cooking up a storm in the kitchen over the festive period, consider these five changes that you can make to get the most out of your kitchen this Christmas…
Nothing slows you down more than draws full to the brim of crockery, pots, pans, and utensils. This is also the main cause of frustration in the kitchen - knowing what you need, but not being able to find it without emptying cupboards first. If you have a lot of kit in your kitchen, ideally you’ll need to increase storage space. A great kitchen should maximize storage, ensuring it works for you during those high-pressure cooking sessions.
If you’re not able to increase your storage space before the festive period, consider having a mini clearout of the items you know you won’t need to use. Pack them away into storage boxes until the festive period is over, to avoid feeling like you want to tear your hair out when you can’t find that baking tray that you need.
Before the big day, take the time to check you have enough of everything and everything that you need for the day to run smoothly. Double-check champagne and wine glasses, have any broken since the previous year? Are plates, crockery, and cutlery ready to be used, or do they need a run through the dishwasher? Taking the time to make sure everything is where you expect it to be, and utensils haven’t gone walkabouts since the previous Christmas will help you avoid a mini-meltdown on the day.
Worktop space is so important in the kitchen, but many of us find over the years we have filled it up with appliances and storage jars, leaving little of it left for prep. If possible, increase your worktop space - an island is a great addition to any kitchen and will provide masses of surface space for prep.
If you’re not able to increase your worktop space before the big day, improve what you have. Tuck away unnecessary items until the new year, and store away any appliances you won’t need on the day. Having lots of prep space will be a huge asset and will help you stay organized and on top of the cooking.
It can be all too tempting to cover every surface in the home with garlands, lights, and tinsel, but when it comes to the kitchen, consider practicality first. While this might sound dull, finding pieces of tinsel in among the parsnips and stuffing is a Christmas present that nobody desires. Keep kitchen decorations off appliances and worktops, instead opting for a string of fairy lights around the door or window and a wreath on the wall.
Creating a good working triangle is the best way to make your kitchen practical and fit for purpose. This method relates to the layout of your kitchen and ensures a good connection and freedom of movement between the fridge/freezer, hob/oven, and sink. If you haven’t considered your working triangle before, this might be worth making a note of when you do come to install a new kitchen.
For now, though, make sure there’s nothing in the way that will stop you from moving freely between these three spaces. Also, consider where you prep your food - ideally it would be as close to the hob/oven as possible to limit movement from worktop to pan/oven.
For those limited on time, there are various ways in which you can get the most out of your kitchen this Christmas. When it comes to redesigning your kitchen in the future, go bespoke to ensure your new kitchen meets all your needs. Happy cooking!