Whether you're a culinary superstar, or an enthusiastic beginner, there are a few ways to make cooking an even more enjoyable experience. Follow our top tips for a fitted kitchen that'll make cooking a little easier, and a lot of fun...
1. Plenty of work space
When choosing your fitted kitchen, make sure you allow yourself plenty of work space to plan and prepare food. Everyone has their own style of cooking, so if you are a neat and tidy cook, you may get away with smaller work tops than those who love to spread out and make a mess.
2. Easy reach items
Have a think about items you use frequently when cooking. Maybe you have a favourite stirring spoon, or herbs and spices that you use almost every time you take to the kitchen. Go for a fitted kitchen that allows for storage of these items within easy reach. It'll save you time, and your back, if you would otherwise have to keep bending down to get them.
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3. Double bowl sink
If the size of your kitchen can accommodate it, choose a nice big sink, or even better a double bowl sink. It makes cooking the likes of spaghetti, and cleaning as you go, much easier and more hygienic when you have more sink space.
4. Solid surface countertops
Choosing a fitted kitchen with solid, durable countertops will help safeguard against the many knocks and scrapes that regular cooking will inevitably cause. If you have a larger budget, granite is an excellent choice, but a less expensive option favoured by most professional kitchens is stainless steel.
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5. Knife sharpener
Nothing irritates a good cook more than blunt knives. A blunt knife will slow you down when cooking, and can be dangerous when the blade slips instead of cutting into the food. Keep a knife sharpener, like the ASPEKT sharpener from IKEA, handy in your fitted kitchen.
6. Kitchen trolley
A kitchen trolley in your fitted kitchen is a great idea if you do a lot of cooking. Not only does it provide extra storage space for your cooking equipment, it also makes a perfect extra work surface.
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7. Your own herb garden
If your fitted kitchen lets in natural light, you can grow your own little herb garden on the windowsill or nearby. The aromas from the herbs add to a great cooking atmosphere, and something about preparing a meal with your own herbs makes it taste that little bit more satisfying.
8. Create your own look
When you love to cook, you want to be doing it in a space that you feel great in. You don't have to be swayed by the latest trends or hugely expensive designs, create a look with your fitted kitchen that's right for you, that way you'll always love spending time there.
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9. Clean and tidy
Keeping your fitted kitchen clean and tidy will make cooking far easier, and more hygienic. If you re-use cloths and sponges to wipe down surfaces, don't forget to clean them regularly, and put away any items you use infrequently to give yourself more space.
10. Appropriate appliances
Depending on the size of your kitchen, and the kinds of cooking that you do, you'll want to choose appliances for your fitted kitchen that meet your needs. For example, if you regularly cook and entertain for fairly large groups of friends, you might find that a double oven - like the FRAMTID double oven from IKEA - will save you a great deal of time and effort when cooking.
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