Inside Our Kitchen: 12 Features We Can’t Live Without!
532
Virtual House Tour
- Modern Organic
- HDB (Maisonette)
- ≥1,500 sqft
- 4 br
- Living with Family
Hello again, everyone! 👋🏽 We’re so excited to share all about our kitchen this week because it’s truly the heart of our home and the space we put the most thought into during our renovation journey. Designing our kitchen was a labour of love, drawing from all the lessons we learned from our first home. Armed with a meticulous list of things we absolutely hated and wanted to avoid, things we loved and couldn’t live without, and plenty of inspiration from Instagram and Pinterest, we set out to create a space that’s both functional and beautiful. Our carpentry discussions with our ID took HOURS, haha—every drawer, cabinet, and corner was scrutinised to perfection! 😅 In this post, we’ll share more about the design choices, practical features we love, and unique touches that make this kitchen truly ours! One non-negotiable of ours? A clutter-free countertop! We were adamant about keeping it clean and free from any appliances or typical countertop items, like kitchen roll holders or utensil stands. Everything had to have its designated place, hidden from view to maintain a sleek and seamless aesthetic. Having a clear countertop has truly been a game-changer for us. It provides ample workspace for all our kitchen tasks and ensures that we’re not greeted by visual clutter the moment we step into the space. It’s been such a blessing to enjoy a kitchen that feels open, organised, and stress-free! We opted for a walnut, dark-coloured kitchen with brushed gold accents, which was a bold yet perfect contrast to the lighter tones throughout the rest of the house. The richness of the walnut adds a touch of warmth and elegance, while the brushed gold accents give it just the right amount of luxe without feeling over the top. The carpentry for our kitchen (excluding fittings and appliances) cost around $15,000—a worthwhile investment for a space that will undoubtedly be the heart of our home. One detail we’re absolutely obsessed with is the laminate we chose for the cabinets. It has an embossed finish, so you can literally feel the ridges and grooves when you run your fingers over it. Not only does this add depth and texture, but it also makes the overall design feel richer and more tactile. Our countertop is made of sintered stone with warm tones of brown and beige, which blend seamlessly with the walnut laminate. The combination feels cohesive and adds to the overall warmth of the kitchen. We chose sintered stone not just for its looks, but for its practicality—it’s durable, scratch-resistant, and can handle all the heavy-duty cooking we do. Plus, it’s easy to clean, which makes it a no-brainer for a space that gets as much action as our kitchen does. It’s been a solid choice (literally!) that checks both form and function! In our previous home, storage was a challenge without a storeroom, so we relied on floating cabinets for items like the ladder and our cat's litter sand. But dust and fur made it hard to maintain, so no floating cabinets this time! We originally considered slim shaker-style cabinets, but worried that their boxy look may clash with the curves and arches we have throughout our home. After testing curved corners on the cabinet doors and getting feedback from our ID, we opted for clean, plain doors, since the walnut laminate adds just the right amount of drama to the kitchen with its embossed texture. To soften the overall look, we chose curved edges for the ends of the cabinets, creating a more elegant, balanced feel, complementing the arches in the door and glass screens for a cohesive design. Although we originally wanted an open-concept kitchen, our plans evolved. As mentioned in earlier posts, we chose to retain the wall to the study so we could transform it into a dedicated prayer room. Additionally, a structural beam between the living room and kitchen meant we couldn’t fully open up the space. Instead, we opted to enlarge the two entrances (from the living room and balcony) and decided to hack only the top half of the remaining walls. To keep cooking smells at bay (we cook a lot!), we installed glass screens and added double swing doors at the entrances, which can remain open when the kitchen isn’t in use. Here are the two entrances to our kitchen. The one on the left leads out to the balcony, where our dining table is situated. We’re really happy with the curved gold inlay strip we added to the flooring at each entrance. It’s not just a design detail, but it also serves to elegantly define the transition between spaces, smoothly linking the contrasting vinyl and tile flooring. The glass screen above the kitchen sink was a design choice we were really excited about. We wanted to maintain a sense of connection to the living room while working in the kitchen. Having lived with it for the past four months, it’s been such a great decision! Not only does it visually link the two spaces, but it also lets us catch glimpses of the living room TV while doing dishes—making multitasking a little more enjoyable. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re proudly “Team No Top Cabinets”! Even in our previous kitchen, we decided to forgo them, and for good reason. Without top cabinets, the kitchen feels significantly more open and spacious, which is perfect for avoiding that boxed-in, heavy feeling. Plus, reaching for items is so much easier—no more awkward stretching or hunting through high shelves. Instead, we opted for floating shelves (complete with curved corners!), which we believe offer the best of both worlds: practical storage and the opportunity to infuse personality into the space. The two slim cupboards you see flanking the entrance to our guest bathroom are our pantry cabinets, dedicated to storing everything from grains and spices to snacks and baking ingredients. The Mrs. is a bit of an organisational uhmm...'enthusiast', so she spent WEEKS hunting down the perfect storage jars to keep all her cooking essentials neatly arranged and easily accessible! Here's a photo to convince you! 😅 Anyway, on our floating shelves are functional items like pantry baskets for storing onions and potatoes, pasta jars, and even a couple of trusty cookbooks. But it doesn’t stop there—we’ve also used the shelves to showcase décor pieces, a bit of wall art, and, of course, faux plants! While they may not purify the air like live plants, they’re a fantastic way to bring a touch of greenery and a pop of colour to the space without the maintenance. The result is a fresh, vibrant vibe that makes the kitchen feel inviting and full of life. It’s a perfect balance of form and function, which is exactly what we aimed for with our kitchen design! Oh, if you loved that pantry organisation photo, then you'd love this one, too! 🤭 This is the cabinet under the sink to store our cleaning supplies. Also, instead of storing cleaning tools like the floor wiper, duster, mop (and others!) in the store room which is away from the kitchen, we dedicated a tall cabinet space in the kitchen for these. This is because we felt that for level 1, a lot of cleaning will happen in the kitchen than anywhere else, so we wanted these tools to be within reach. We just needed to be smart about the tools we get to ensure they can be collapsed for easy storage and be creative with organising them! Oh yes...we chose all-white appliances for our kitchen, from the larger essentials to the smaller ones hidden out of sight. We also went with white for our sink as well as our guest bathroom entrance! White pairs beautifully with the warmth of our walnut cabinets, creating a clean and subtle contrast that keeps the space feeling both cosy and polished. And if you thought we were done with home organisation photos, we have more, hehe! This is the main compartment of our fridge, and we weren’t joking about the Mrs.’ obsession with organisation! Everything has its own designated spot, making it easy to find what we need, and keeping the fridge neat and clutter-free at all times. Here’s the back of the fridge door—perfectly organised with drinks, condiments, and more for easy access! Now let’s dive into some of the thoughtful features we added to our kitchen that make daily use a whole lot easier and more efficient! 𝟏. 𝐃𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥 To keep our countertop free of clutter, we requested for a dedicated drawer just for kitchen roll. It’s located near the stove and under our main work area—because we know that’s where we’ll be reaching for paper towels the most! We also made sure to include extra space at the back for refills, so we’re always stocked up and ready to go! 𝟐. 𝐏𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 The pot filler above the stove is a game-changer! Instead of hauling heavy pots of water from the sink, we just fill them directly where we need them. It’s a small convenience, but it saves time and prevents spills! 𝟑. 𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐯𝐞 We’ve got a pull-out drawer right next to the stove for utensils, which makes it so much easier to grab what you need while cooking! No more running back and forth to a separate drawer—it’s right there! 𝟒. 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 This is one of our favourite features! We requested for a tall appliance garage with a pocket door and pull-out drawers to store our small appliances. Next to it, we designed a dedicated space for our microwave oven. The appliance garage comes with pull-out drawers (except for the top- and bottom-most space) as well as hidden power sockets inside so the appliances can be pulled out and used right where they are. This lets us keep the countertop clean and clutter-free, yet everything is still easily accessible! 𝟓. 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬 Large drawers are a trend now and so, that’s exactly what we asked for for our crockery and pots+pans! Drawers simplify storage and make it so much easier to see and access everything, and the pull-out feature makes loading and unloading a breeze. There is also an internal drawer to store our cutleries and other kitchen tools. The drawer insert we purchased from Amazon has been amazing to help us organise the space! With these large drawers, never again will we have to deal with a cabinet full of pots and pans that is hard to reach and ends up disorganised now and again! 𝟔. 𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 This was one of the most complicated parts of our kitchen for the carpenters, because it’s not a basic pull-out, but the table top lifts up and then secures against the cabinet frame, so the table remains locked and secure when in use. But it was an addition that turned out to be so handy! When we need extra space for meal prep or to put down dirty dishes, the pull-out table next to the sink gives us the room we need without taking up permanent space! 𝟕. 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐤-𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 In our previous kitchen, the top-hung dish rack was a constant source of frustration. We absolutely HATED it! Water would drip down our arms every time we placed dishes, and emptying the tray was such a hassle. This time, we knew exactly what we wanted: a dish rack built right next to the sink—and it’s been a total game-changer! To make it even better, we added extra countertop space between the sink and the dish rack. Now, we can easily lay out a silicone drying mat when we’re cooking up a storm or entertaining, handling those extra dishes and big pots like a breeze! 𝟖. 𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐛𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥 This was another must-have feature for us because it’s all about efficiency! We wanted a pull-out trash drawer that we could open hands-free with our foot. So, we bought a foot pull from Amazon and had our carpenter install it at the bottom of the drawer. This simple yet game-changing addition has made all the difference, especially when our hands are full! The bin itself is from Ikea, and we love how the pull-out compartment keeps the trash hidden and out of sight. What’s even better is that it’s conveniently located next to the sink for easy disposal while washing up. Plus, it’s tucked under the extra countertop space between the sink and the dish rack, making it super easy to dispose of scraps and remnants while chopping or peeling. It’s a small detail, but it’s made such a big impact on our kitchen flow! 𝟗. 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞-𝐛𝐨𝐰𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐤 From our experience in our previous kitchen, we knew that on days of heavy cooking—especially with large pots—a spacious sink was essential. This farmhouse sink is not only deep enough to fit our biggest cookware, but it’s also double-bowled, allowing us to multitask with ease. We absolutely love that the sink comes with stainless steel racks inside each bowl. Not only do they protect the bottom from hard knocks, they also help prevent any potential cracks when we place anything too heavy. 𝟏𝟎. 𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐭 This pull-out faucet in brushed gold was an absolute gem of a find! We searched high and low locally and could never find one that matched the vibe we wanted. It was essential for us to tie the whole look together with brushed gold, complementing the other gold accents in the kitchen. Not only does it add that perfect finishing touch, but it’s also incredibly versatile. With multiple modes for stream or spray, it makes everything from rinsing veggies to washing dishes, or even cleaning the sink, so much quicker and more efficient. 𝟏𝟏. 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞-𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐚𝐩 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫 Instead of a bulky bottle on the countertop, we went with a surface-mount dispenser for our dishwashing liquid that keeps the space tidy and provides easy access whenever we need it. Refilling is easy as we only need to remove the dispenser head on top and simply pour the dishwashing liquid in! 𝟏𝟐. 𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲'𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 We couldn’t forget about Bucky when planning our kitchen! We created a dedicated nook just for him, thoughtfully designed to house his wet food bowl and automatic kibble dispenser. We put a lot of thought into designing this space, from nailing down the perfect dimensions to making sure there’s a power socket right by the auto feeder for easy use. Above the nook, we’ve got a small cabinet to neatly store his canned food and treats—no more clutter! The nook keeps everything off the floor, so we don’t have to worry about tripping over his bowls, like we did in our previous home. As for his wet food bowl, we’ve placed that in a different corner of the house, because fun fact: cats prefer their food and water to be kept separate! Bucky's nook is a practical, tidy, and cat-friendly solution we’re proud of. ❤️ 𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐔𝐒: 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫! Unlike our previous kitchen, this time we opted to cover our chimney hood to prevent dust collection - with curved edges, no less! Our ID suggested incorporating a top-opening cover that lifts up so we can access the hood for any maintenance. To maximise storage, we added two levels of shelving inside the cooker hood cover. Covering the hood this time around means no more endless wiping of our cooker hood and no dust buildup! The CNC laser cut of our home logo is actually the Mr's request! We had spotted a CNC laser cut of our ID’s company logo at the showroom and felt it would be cool to incorporate this touch of personalisation into our home. It is something that truly sets our home apart and gives it a unique identity, character, and a sense of pride. Plus, having this element in our home will be such a conversation starter! Wow, that was a long read, huh? 😅 But we just had to share every little detail because we’re so proud of how much thought and care went into creating this space. Every feature was carefully planned to make moving around the kitchen as smooth as possible—it’s all about making things easy and practical. After all, your kitchen should work with you, not against you, right? And if even one part of it inspires your own home or renovation plans, we’d be thrilled! ❤️ What’s your must-have kitchen feature? Drop a comment and let us know! 😁
- 13 January
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