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Here’s How Your Kitchen Can Make You Healthier
Small adjustments to your room design can give your home life a health boost
Sponsored Content
Do you have a kitchen-diner that is the control centre of your home, where many daily activities take place, such as home working, entertaining and relaxing? Well, did you also know your kitchen can encourage a healthier and happier lifestyle, both physically and mentally?
Intrigued? Here, we offer up some expert kitchen ideas and tips on how to not only plan a practical and efficient space that makes your life a little bit easier, but one that also works hard to give you, and the environment, a health boost. Read on to find out how to achieve a greener and healthier kitchen.
Intrigued? Here, we offer up some expert kitchen ideas and tips on how to not only plan a practical and efficient space that makes your life a little bit easier, but one that also works hard to give you, and the environment, a health boost. Read on to find out how to achieve a greener and healthier kitchen.
Opt for a Revitalising Environment
It’s not only a routine of regular exercise and clean eating that encourages a healthy lifestyle; the spaces we live in also affect our mood and sense of wellbeing. A light-filled kitchen with a simple pared-back scheme will foster a calming and positive atmosphere, thanks to its clean, uncluttered style, which in turn will lift your spirits – ideal for that Monday morning slump.
Stick to bright white handleless cabinets for a fuss-free look, while pockets of interest can be added with a textured splashback and refined window dressings.
Bonus tip: Be inspired by biophilic design, a concept that recognises our innate love of nature and its health benefits when we connect with it. Bring the outdoors into your space by introducing organic colours and textures, such as timber surfaces, natural patterns, such as marble (or a marble effect), and plenty of lush indoor plants.
It’s not only a routine of regular exercise and clean eating that encourages a healthy lifestyle; the spaces we live in also affect our mood and sense of wellbeing. A light-filled kitchen with a simple pared-back scheme will foster a calming and positive atmosphere, thanks to its clean, uncluttered style, which in turn will lift your spirits – ideal for that Monday morning slump.
Stick to bright white handleless cabinets for a fuss-free look, while pockets of interest can be added with a textured splashback and refined window dressings.
Bonus tip: Be inspired by biophilic design, a concept that recognises our innate love of nature and its health benefits when we connect with it. Bring the outdoors into your space by introducing organic colours and textures, such as timber surfaces, natural patterns, such as marble (or a marble effect), and plenty of lush indoor plants.
Create Dedicated Healthy Snack Stations
We’re huge fans of versatile, freestanding kitchen islands that can be wheeled to different positions around your kitchen depending on the task in hand. They also make the ideal spot for a dedicated food prep station, with storage space for all your fresh fruit and veggies. Having healthy snacks visible and within easy reach will prevent you, and the rest of the family, reaching for the biscuit tin.
You could also try growing a fresh herb garden near the window to ensure you always add a touch of goodness to your dishes, while an open shelf displaying jars of easy-to-grab nuts and seeds will encourage you to sprinkle some nutritional additions to your morning fruit bowl or lunchtime salad.
Bonus tip: Try preparing a platter of fruit and raw veg in the morning (coating fruit with an acidic juice, such as lemon, orange or pineapple juice, to prevent it going brown) and leaving it on display on the benchtop as a tempting treat. We guarantee it will be gone in no time!
We’re huge fans of versatile, freestanding kitchen islands that can be wheeled to different positions around your kitchen depending on the task in hand. They also make the ideal spot for a dedicated food prep station, with storage space for all your fresh fruit and veggies. Having healthy snacks visible and within easy reach will prevent you, and the rest of the family, reaching for the biscuit tin.
You could also try growing a fresh herb garden near the window to ensure you always add a touch of goodness to your dishes, while an open shelf displaying jars of easy-to-grab nuts and seeds will encourage you to sprinkle some nutritional additions to your morning fruit bowl or lunchtime salad.
Bonus tip: Try preparing a platter of fruit and raw veg in the morning (coating fruit with an acidic juice, such as lemon, orange or pineapple juice, to prevent it going brown) and leaving it on display on the benchtop as a tempting treat. We guarantee it will be gone in no time!
A Clean Kitchen = a Stress-free Life
If the state of your kitchen constantly drags your mood down and you feel like you’re continually cleaning up, think about swapping out the problematic elements for innovative design features that will help you clean more efficiently and effectively. For example, if your benchtop is a nightmare to keep clean, upgrade it for an easier-to-maintain finish, such as a solid surface benchtop that is non-porous, antimicrobial (an agent that kills microorganisms) and stain-resistant.
When it comes to protecting the walls behind your appliances and benchtops, consider fitting a one-piece splashback to avoid the need for any dirt-attracting joint or grout lines, making it super-simple to wipe down those irritating food splashes.
Bonus tip: A black sink and tap are a great alternative to stainless steel if you’re not a fan of watermarks.
If the state of your kitchen constantly drags your mood down and you feel like you’re continually cleaning up, think about swapping out the problematic elements for innovative design features that will help you clean more efficiently and effectively. For example, if your benchtop is a nightmare to keep clean, upgrade it for an easier-to-maintain finish, such as a solid surface benchtop that is non-porous, antimicrobial (an agent that kills microorganisms) and stain-resistant.
When it comes to protecting the walls behind your appliances and benchtops, consider fitting a one-piece splashback to avoid the need for any dirt-attracting joint or grout lines, making it super-simple to wipe down those irritating food splashes.
Bonus tip: A black sink and tap are a great alternative to stainless steel if you’re not a fan of watermarks.
Be Eco-aware
By swapping standard cleaning brands for eco-friendly alternatives, you’ll be looking after the environment and your general health at the same time, eliminating the possibility of anyone reacting to harsh chemicals.
You could also look inside your pantry for some natural non-toxic cleaners, such as diluted white vinegar for cutting through grease and stains, while the citric acid in lemon can sanitise non-porous surfaces. However, always check the manufacturers’ guidelines before using any shop-bought or homemade cleaning solutions.
Bonus eco tips: Other ways of encouraging a greener kitchen are by composting your food scraps, using shops that offer a refillable service so you can reuse containers, and making a conscious effort to use beeswax food coverings instead of foil and clingfilm.
Book in for a virtual design consultation: Bunnings kitchen design consultants are available to help you design your perfect kitchen. Click here for more information.
Tell us: Do you have any tips for transforming your kitchen into a healthier and happier space? Share with your fellow Houzzers in the Comments section below.
By swapping standard cleaning brands for eco-friendly alternatives, you’ll be looking after the environment and your general health at the same time, eliminating the possibility of anyone reacting to harsh chemicals.
You could also look inside your pantry for some natural non-toxic cleaners, such as diluted white vinegar for cutting through grease and stains, while the citric acid in lemon can sanitise non-porous surfaces. However, always check the manufacturers’ guidelines before using any shop-bought or homemade cleaning solutions.
Bonus eco tips: Other ways of encouraging a greener kitchen are by composting your food scraps, using shops that offer a refillable service so you can reuse containers, and making a conscious effort to use beeswax food coverings instead of foil and clingfilm.
Book in for a virtual design consultation: Bunnings kitchen design consultants are available to help you design your perfect kitchen. Click here for more information.
Tell us: Do you have any tips for transforming your kitchen into a healthier and happier space? Share with your fellow Houzzers in the Comments section below.
- This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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