8 Kitchen Additions That'll Make Life a Little Bit Easier
Put these time-saving, mess-minimising amenities on your kitchen design wish list
Don’t waste another minute on your hands and knees in your kitchen, searching for that missing cutting board or rolling pin. Built-ins and storage additions can give you the perfect spot for every cooking must-have. When done right, storage won’t just keep your kitchen tidy, it’ll make it more functional. Check out these storage solutions and amenities that can help you cook, clean and stay organised with hardly any effort.
3. Pedals to turn water on and off
Turning on the tap with messy hands can make an even bigger mess. Plumbing pedals, like the ones in this kitchen, can help confine the mess. Just like at the doctor’s office, you can use your foot to turn the sink on – hot water, cold water or both.
Contact a local plumber to ask for an estimate – pedals can be added to existing sinks or new kitchen designs.
Turning on the tap with messy hands can make an even bigger mess. Plumbing pedals, like the ones in this kitchen, can help confine the mess. Just like at the doctor’s office, you can use your foot to turn the sink on – hot water, cold water or both.
Contact a local plumber to ask for an estimate – pedals can be added to existing sinks or new kitchen designs.
4. An under-benchtop composting unit
One like this means you can just wipe all of your food waste off the benchtops and into your compost bin before it goes out to the garden. Put one in your benchtop where you do most of your prep work to make composting easy to remember and do.
One like this means you can just wipe all of your food waste off the benchtops and into your compost bin before it goes out to the garden. Put one in your benchtop where you do most of your prep work to make composting easy to remember and do.
5. A mixer garage
This surprising twist on the ordinary mixer shelf helps keep this appliance out of the way but easy to access. A tambour-style door lifts up, while the entire shelf pulls forward.
Discover more cleverly concealed storage spaces for the kitchen
This surprising twist on the ordinary mixer shelf helps keep this appliance out of the way but easy to access. A tambour-style door lifts up, while the entire shelf pulls forward.
Discover more cleverly concealed storage spaces for the kitchen
6. A mobile butcher’s block
A built-in butcher’s block makes prep easy – but some cooks prefer it out of sight when it’s not in use. A mobile prep cabinet like this can be pulled out when needed and pushed away when it’s not.
More: Butcher’s Blocks: How to Keep These Handy Boards Looking a Cut Above
A built-in butcher’s block makes prep easy – but some cooks prefer it out of sight when it’s not in use. A mobile prep cabinet like this can be pulled out when needed and pushed away when it’s not.
More: Butcher’s Blocks: How to Keep These Handy Boards Looking a Cut Above
7. A handy step stool
It’s always great to have a leg up for extra-high upper cupboards, but where on earth should you store the step stool? An ultra thin model can slip right inside a discreet drawer. This homeowner managed to sneak one inside a toe kick.
A specialised step stool drawer like this is offered by many cabinetry manufacturers – if you’re designing a new kitchen, don’t forget to ask about this handy feature.
It’s always great to have a leg up for extra-high upper cupboards, but where on earth should you store the step stool? An ultra thin model can slip right inside a discreet drawer. This homeowner managed to sneak one inside a toe kick.
A specialised step stool drawer like this is offered by many cabinetry manufacturers – if you’re designing a new kitchen, don’t forget to ask about this handy feature.
8. A protected pet station
The kitchen tends to be the best place for feeding pets, but those metal bowls full of kibble and water always seem to get underfoot. A built-in feeding station keeps things tidy and out of the way. This pet food station has a drawer above each bowl for treats, medication and leashes.
MORE
Kitchen Capers: Nifty Tricks to Store Just About Anything
10 Things Every Foodie Needs in Their Kitchen
Clean Living: Declutter Your Way to a Minimalist Home in 7 Easy Steps
10 Ingenious Organising Tricks Designed to Make Life Easier
The kitchen tends to be the best place for feeding pets, but those metal bowls full of kibble and water always seem to get underfoot. A built-in feeding station keeps things tidy and out of the way. This pet food station has a drawer above each bowl for treats, medication and leashes.
MORE
Kitchen Capers: Nifty Tricks to Store Just About Anything
10 Things Every Foodie Needs in Their Kitchen
Clean Living: Declutter Your Way to a Minimalist Home in 7 Easy Steps
10 Ingenious Organising Tricks Designed to Make Life Easier
Most kitchen owners are familiar with the irritating, messy drawer of plastic bags, foil and plastic wrap. It seems impossible to keep tidy, and everything always seems to get stuck in the drawer.
A food-wrap divider can simply slip inside an existing kitchen drawer. If you’re designing a new space, consider working with your cabinetry designer to get a custom version for one of your drawers.