How to Design a Kitchen for Healthy Cooking

Creating a cook-friendly kitchen space

Many people claim that your health is your most valuable asset, and also that you are what you eat. Put those two together, and you have a healthy foodie. Foodies are known for their excellent choices in restaurants, but there are also those foodies who prefer to eat at home and who have become gourmet chefs in their own right. These foodies are often bloggers or Instagrammers who have invited us into their homes to share not only their beautiful, fresh and inviting dishes but also their idyllic lifestyle and beautiful kitchens. To calm your kitchen-envy, we’ve put together this extensive list on how to create your own foodie kitchen.

Here are 10 must-haves for a foodie kitchen:

Layout

As with any room, the right kitchen layout is key. A large work surface, integrated appliances and enough dedicated storage for all your stock pots, pans, saucepans, and double boilers should form an integral of the kitchen design. Ensure that there are wide enough walkways between opposite counters and that the positioning of appliances, mainly the stove, refrigerator and sink, favours practicality.

Create a space to work and play, adere to the classic horseshoe-shape layout. © Leicht

Details

Attention to detail characterises a foodie kitchen: nothing is being left to chance. From the immaculate wall tiles to the handles on the cabinets, everything was carefully selected to create the perfect look. Take your time when choosing finishes and accessories for your kitchen. The little things make all the difference.

Surfaces

The work surface is where all the prep-work happens, so a practical, hygienic and above all beautiful surface is necessary. Countertop trends include natural stone and stainless steel for general surfaces, and butcher block for the prep area. Ensure that every surface is well-maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This often includes applying natural oils to the surface to seal it and to increase its lifespan.

Light

Sufficient lighting is not only necessary for aesthetics, but also for practicality and safety. Natural light is preferential during the day, with artificial light taking over at night. Layered lighting is always present in a well-designed kitchen: ambient lighting for the overall look, task lighting over work areas, and focal lighting to catch the eye over a table or in a beautifully styled display cabinet. Also, pay attention to the colour of the lamp: cool light and daylight might leave your kitchen leaving stark and clinical, while warm white light will bathe the room and work areas in a gentle light that is softer on the eye.

Sink and Taps

If you’re going to cook big, you’re also going to clean big. A double sink is very convenient and should be big enough to hold your biggest stock pot or oven dish with ease. For maximum efficiency, the tap should have a swivel arm for ease of use, and ideally a spray hose to help with rinsing. A smaller butler sink close to your prep area is perfect for rinsing and washing fruit and vegetables.

Oven

While most foodies and chefs prefer a gas hob, and gas or electric oven, this is very much up to personal preference. Gas is renowned for being quick and clean energy but changing from electric to gas can be a costly and messy exercise. Induction ovens are also very popular and allow instant heat much like gas. Choose a wider 900mm oven if space allows, instead of the standard 600mm. This will enable you to cook more and larger dishes at the same time. An oven is an investment piece, so make sure that you buy the best that you can afford.

Pantry

A foodie’s pantry is stocked with all kinds of weird and wonderful ingredients, so it is essential to have a large enough area to accommodate all the infused oils, dried exotic mushrooms and interesting reductions. Utilize a corner in your kitchen for a large walk-in pantry cupboard, which at the same time eliminates an awkward corner. Floor to ceiling shelves will quickly turn this small corner of your kitchen into a covetable storage space.

Wine Fridge or Integrated Cellar

The ultimate in foodie luxury, you can do you wine pairings in style with vintage wines kept at optimal temperatures. Or even better, install a wine cellar in the basement underneath your kitchen to really impress your guests.

Coffee bar

Start and finish your day in style with a professional coffee machine. Whether you choose to use pods or hand-roasted gourmet coffee beans from a local roastery, it will allow you to make coffee like a barista.

Knives

This is the last but one of the most important elements in the foodie kitchen. Every self-proclaimed food connoisseur will have a set of knives to rival a professional chef’s, with equally impressive storage. A proper set of knives cannot be stored in a utensil drawer, as they will go blunt and pose a health-risk. A custom-designed drawer to house the prized knives will ensure they remain at their sharpest. Otherwise, use a bamboo-block to store them in and place it within easy reach of your prep-area.

If you are a foodie that favours healthy food above all, then there are a few more things you will need to consider to create a healthy cooking space:

Fresh Produce

To invite guests and family members to help themselves to the delicious fruit in season, put them on display in a bowl on the counter or kitchen table. Don’t put too much at a time so that it doesn’t get over-ripe. Replenish the bowl daily from the fridge.

Kitchen garden

If that fresh produce on display come from your own kitchen garden, even better! A kitchen garden is a great way to always have fresh, organic veggies on the menu. If you don’t have an outdoor area, you can create a potted kitchen garden on an outside landing or any sunny spot.

Tap filters

Our water sources are not always dependable, so it’s best to take your health into your own hands and make use of tap filters or freshwater systems. Carbon filters can remove harmful particles, and the taste of chlorine, while reverse osmosis systems remove dissolved inorganic components, like salt.

Energy efficiency

A healthy lifestyle considers not only the life of the individual but also the health of the planet. Choose energy efficient appliances and environmentally friendly finishes for your kitchen and do your bit for our earth.