Before we bought this property, our first home, I was ambivalent about the size of the kitchen. The lack of countertop space was quite detrimental for someone who likes to cook, but the location and how the whole Victorian style building, which was originally built in the 1900s was recently renovated from top to bottom convinced us to buy this property. It practically made us the first people to live here after the restoration.
Three years have passed and we still love our home even though we’re slowly hunting for a bigger space in the same neighbourhood.
As a hobby chef, let’s start with the kitchen. Since my husband has zero interest in the world of interior design, I took matters into my own hands. Like a Pokémon, our kitchen underwent a couple of evolutions. See below:
I’m still a novice when it comes to interior design, but I would love to share the stuff I learned as I fashioned our kitchen to match my cooking needs (my husband doesn’t really cook 
).
1. Edit your kitchen. Just like fashion, it’s advisable not to be overdressed. Meaning you don’t really need all those gadgets or utensils crowding your precious space. Appliances that you only use like once a year should be stored somewhere and only take it out if you need it. If you haven’t used a kitchen gadget/utensil for over a year, I suggest you get rid of it, give it to charity or sell it.
2. Duality is king. When you buy stuff for your kitchen make sure that it has a double purpose or triple at that. One example is the KitchenAid mixer, because of its fabulous design it serves both as a tool and as a decoration.
3. Repurpose like a pro. When you lack countertop space, but you have a floor space for a kitchen island or a cart then do it . Budget wise, a cheap dresser like Tarva from IKEA makes a perfect kitchen island. It’s sturdy and easily customised. I also used those drawer units found in offices to store kitchen utensils. The possibilities are endless and a little DIY comes a long way. Check IKEA hackers for inspiration.
4. Be bold with a zest of zen. Even though you have a small kitchen it doesn’t mean that you need to fill every nook and cranny. Preserve negative space, allowing your kitchen area to breathe and at the same time add a little colour to bring a sense of joie de vivre. Also, don’t forget to place items that you use often in areas of your kitchen where it is easily accessible while creating a sense of harmony not a melange.
5. Haste makes waste. Take your time and assess what you really need to make your kitchen functional. That was my mistake when I bought a lot of stuff that I thought I needed in our kitchen when we moved in. I ended with a lot of useless crap that I had to give or throw away, which was quite a waste. Now, I’m mindful with what I buy for our kitchen.
It was surprisingly refreshing to discover how limitations could stimulate your creativity. Make do with what you have and I’ve seen a lot of fabulous foodies and even professional chefs coughing up deliciously divine dishes out from a tiny kitchen.