Less is More: Creating a Kitchen Without a Hood or Overhanging Rack
401
- Scandinavian
- HDB (Resale)
- ~1,000 sqft
- 3 br
- Couple Living
Hello, Hipvan Ideas community! We’re excited to share our cozy galley-style kitchen with you! This space truly caught our attention when we were searching for a new home. While many flats in Punggol are new BTOs with smaller, compact kitchens, we initially envisioned looking for one we could hack a wall to create an open-concept layout. However, we stumbled upon this perfectly sized kitchen, and it felt just right for us. A glimpse of its former self! At first glance, the kitchen seemed pretty decent, but we quickly realized how much we disliked the fridge blocking the sunlight, leaving the space dark and closed off. The layout was equally problematic, with the stove placed directly opposite the fridge, creating a constant back-and-forth that disrupted the flow of cooking. Worse still, it lacked the efficiency of the kitchen triangle—where the stove, sink, and fridge are ideally positioned to minimise movement. These issues led us to embark on a mini overhaul, hacking the fridge base, rerouting both the gas and water pipes, and rebuilding all the cabinets to create a more functional and inviting space. Ironically, while the refreshed kitchen might look identical to its former self, the new layout has made cooking and moving around much smoother. We also decided to tile the entire kitchen with marbled tiles to elevate the look while keeping it functional! 
We chose to do away with the hood, not because we don’t cook, but because we found it often underused. Skipping it gave us a cleaner, more open look that declutters the space. I’ve always disliked the feeling of water dripping down my arms while reaching for the overhanging dishrack. As we prepared for our new home, we knew we were getting a dishwasher, which made having an overhanging dishrack absolutely unnecessary. While we rely heavily on the dishwasher, certain items aren’t dishwasher safe and need to be hand washed and I found the perfect-sized tabletop dishrack that fits everything I need. Even on days when I decide to hand wash all our dishes, this dishrack can still hold a substantial amount for the two of us. On the topic of dishwasher, do take a moment to carefully plan where you'll store your cutlery and bowls. Ideally, these should be kept directly beside the dishwasher, minimizing the steps needed to put everything away once they’re clean. This setup makes unloading quicker and more efficient, streamlining your kitchen workflow. Tip: Nitori’s plates are pretty and dishwasher-safe! One of the quickest trends we hopped on was definitely adding this pull-out spice rack, and we didn’t hesitate to invest in it! It’s made organizing sauces, condiments, and bottles so much easier and more accessible. However, the initial version had a gritty, sandy feeling when extended, and since ease of use was a key reason for adding this feature, we weren’t willing to compromise. After some adjustments and ensuring the tracks were properly installed and cleaned, it’s easily one of the best add-ons we’ve made! 
We’re definitely envious of all those open shelves displaying alcohol, but I have to admit I’m a bit particular about keeping those bottles dust-free. While open shelving looks great, maintenance can be a challenge. I prefer a more enclosed storage solution for our little alcohol stash that keeps things tidy and minimizes the need for constant cleaning. 
Our kitchen is a constant work in progress, and we're always rearranging our appliances to find the perfect setup. With my new Nespresso Vertuo additions, I’m especially on the lookout for fresh inspiration on how to display and use them. Thanks for sticking around and reading all the way through! We hope our kitchen has sparked a bit of inspiration for your own home too!
- 14 October
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