So how do you bring happiness into your kitchen? We talked to Swedish-born interior designer and Electrolux Ambassador, Anna-Carin McNamara for her top tips on how to make your kitchen one of your favourite spaces in your home.
1. NEVER GO TO BED WITH A DIRTY KITCHEN
Clean the sink every night clean (and even polish it), so the next morning things are tidy for the start of the day. There's nothing worse than waking up and seeing last night's dinner mess.
The kitchen's prep space blends past and present in this refreshing Federation-era home on Sydney's North Shore. Photographer: Ryan Linnegar | Styling: Fiona Gould
2. ADD SENTIMENTAL ITEMS
Bring your personality into the kitchen by using open shelving to display artwork and treasured items that bring you joy when you see them. It will make being in the kitchen feel like less of a chore to have touches of items you love.
3. MAKE EACH MEAL AN OCCASION
Always set the table when you eat, don't just save the tablecloth, place mats, candles and flowers for when you have guests over. It brings a sense of occasion to every meal, including breakfast, and can help build connections with loved ones.
The vast kitchen dining table in this Cape Cod-inspired home on the Sunshine Coast is the perfect place for the family to gather.
Photographer: Anastasia Kariofyllidis
4. INTEGRATE APPLIANCES
Where possible, integrate appliances to create a seamless look in your kitchen design. If they're on display, make sure you coordinate with the joinery – it makes a big difference and since the kitchen is an area you're likely to be in every day, you will notice the little things.
5. ORGANISATION IS KEY
Organise and plan your kitchen so the tools you use all the time are easily accessible, so that using them becomes second nature and you're not spending time looking for specific utensils such as bowls, graters or crushers. Purchase good quality utensils so you're not having to replace them often.
Bespoke kitchen joinery delivers functionality and plenty of storage in the butler's pantry and kitchen of this idyllic waterfront home on the Gold Coast.
Photographer: John Downs