Want to get the most out of your culinary adventures in the kitchen? Try zoning out. Not in the sense of taking a mind vacation, more along the lines of setting up kitchen zones. Kitchen zones make preparing, cooking and cleaning more manageable. It’s like building your own culinary command center. So, take a deep breath and let us help you bring some order to the culinary chaos.
What Are Kitchen Zones?
Kitchen zones are like your trusty sidekicks in the never-ending cooking saga. First up, the Prep Zone—where all the action begins. Next, we have the Cooking Zone. This is where the magic—and sometimes the mayhem—happens. Finally, the Cleaning Zone—the unsung hero of the kitchen. By giving each area a specific purpose, you’ll find yourself navigating your kitchen with the grace of a seasoned chef—or at least someone who knows where the spatula is.
Crafting Your Ideal Prep Zone
The prep zone is the start of your nightly culinary journey. It’s also the place where your idealistic dinner plans can crash and burn (sometimes literally). Counter space is the holy grail here. Clear off anything that doesn’t serve an immediate purpose. The more surface area you have, the less likely you are to knock over a bottle of olive oil while reaching for the salt. Then, you need the essentials within arm’s reach—knives, cutting boards, mixing bowls and all those gadgets you bought on a whim but might actually use someday. Your prep zone should put you within easy reach of the pantry, refrigerator and the cooking zone (we’ll get to that). The less you have to travel to get ingredients the less risk you have of your entire dinner going up in smoke.
Fine-Tuning the Cooking Zone
The cooking zone is where the work gets done—or where you accidentally set off the smoke detector (no judgment). First things first, keep your pots, pans and essential utensils within arm’s reach. Arrange your appliances for peak efficiency. Your stove and oven should be the stars of this area, with supporting roles played by your microwave and toaster. Drawer dividers are your best friends here. They keep your utensils from staging a rebellion every time you open a drawer.
Setting Up an Efficient Cleaning Zone
The Cleaning Zone is the area where you tackle the aftermath of your culinary adventures, and let’s be honest, it’s rarely as glamorous as the cooking itself (which is why we advise handing this job over to teenagers). Make sure your dish soap, sponges and dish towels are within arm’s reach. Load your dishwasher strategically, and don’t forget to give it a clean every now and then. Don’t forget under the sink—this is prime real estate for storing cleaning supplies. Use bins or caddies to keep everything organized. No one likes wrestling with a mountain of plastic bags just to find the dish soap.
Bring In Some Technology
Get ready to turn your kitchen into a futuristic wonderland where gadgets rule and cooking disasters are (mostly) a thing of the past. There’s an app for everything—organizing recipes, making shopping lists, even tracking how many eggs you have left. Check out a few and download the ones you think will be the most useful. Got a voice assistant? Put it to work by setting timers and reading recipes aloud while your hands are covered in dough.
Now That You Have Zones…
Keep decluttering on your to-do list, like that friend who reminds you to drink water. A little maintenance goes a long way. For instance, rotate your pantry items. It’s not a museum; those canned beans won’t appreciate being admired for three years. And while we’re at it, label things—yes, even your leftovers. Future you will say thanks when you’re not playing “Guess That Tupperware.” Focus on what works for you. If you’ve got kids, get them in on the action.
Check Out Our Kitchens
If you want a kitchen that cooks, head over to Sunterra. Our builders craft kitchens that are as functional as they are beautiful with islands for prepping, easily accessible appliances and sinks you can actually fit all your dishes into. Visit our model homes and talk to a builder representative today.
