Our Kitchen: Soft Palettes and Clean Designs
357
- Scandinavian
- HDB (BTO)
- ~1,000 sqft
- 3 br
- Couple Living
We’re excited to share one of our favourite spaces this week — the heart of our home, where culinary creativity comes to life. Even though our kitchen isn't huge, we’ve made it a functional and inspiring place where we can cook up a storm (or at least try to!) each week. Due to the lack of a service yard, we embraced technology to retain functionality in our kitchen design. The colour palette mirrors the rest of our home, featuring neutral and creamy tones that reflect the natural light, giving the kitchen an open, airy feel. These soft colours also help the space from appearing cluttered. Given the limited space, we focused on vertical carpentry to maximize storage and allow room to grow into the space. This use of height has transformed our kitchen into a practical yet elegant space, where everything has its place. 
Initially, we had our hearts set on a 3-zone induction hob for maximum cooking flexibility. However, after discovering that HDBs are limited to a maximum of 40 amps, we realized that installing it would require rewiring to the kitchen to support the increased load. Even then, running other major appliances simultaneously could potentially lead to power trips. To balance functionality and practicality, we opted for a combination of a 2-zone induction hob paired with a single gas burner. This choice meets our cooking needs and allows us to achieve that coveted “wok hei” flavour in our stir-fried dishes. When it came to selecting a hood, the decision was simple. We chose Fujioh, a trusted brand that has proven its reliability over the years in the homes of our friends and family, many of whom have enjoyed a decade or more of use. Counter height is often overlooked, but for those who are taller, opting for a height of 92cm can prevent back and shoulder discomfort while cooking or washing dishes. We experienced this firsthand at a relative's place and decided it was crucial. Tip: We found our ideal counter height by visiting showrooms and using a measuring tape to find what suited us best. Our kitchen’s unique wall shape presented an opportunity. In one section, the counter depth was wider than usual, so we took advantage of the extra space and found a basin that was not only wider but also slightly deeper. This has been perfect for easily fitting an entire wok and more, making cleanup a breeze. We also loved that the basin could be under-mounted, and it included a convenient ledge for resting a drying mat—an invaluable feature that has served us well. For the countertop, we selected KompacPlus for its outstanding durability and heat resistance. We chose this over traditional materials, often facing issues like discolouration or chipping. Maintaining it has been effortless, and with the under-mounted sink, we can easily sweep food debris directly into the basin for quick cleanups. In practice, we find ourselves using the induction hob most frequently. Its quick heat-up time and ability to keep the kitchen cool by not radiating heat into the surroundings make it perfect for heavy cooking sessions without making the space feel overly warm. Plus it comes with handy shut-off timers and safety sensors. For the backsplash, we chose tiles that, while requiring some care due to the grout lines, add a layer of texture to our minimalist, clean design. This subtle detail brings warmth and character to the kitchen, balancing functionality with style. When choosing our kitchen mixer, we deliberately avoided chrome or glossy finishes that are prone to staining and scuffing. After an extensive search, we found a Hansgrohe mixer with a brushed steel finish, which blended well with our kitchen's design The pull-out spray has been a standout feature, allowing us to easily reach every corner of our large basin and minimizing accidental splashes. Additionally, the mixer offers two modes: Laminar, which provides a smooth, visually appealing water flow, and a spray mode, perfect for tackling tougher stains. We had under-cabinet LED strips installed to add another layer of lighting to the kitchen. Not only do they provide practical task lighting for meal prep, but they also create a warm ambience that makes the space feel cozy and inviting. The subtle illumination accentuates the clean lines of our cabinetry and enhances the depth and texture of our tiled backsplash. 
From the start, we took the opportunity to plan our cabinetry around our chosen fridge: the spacious Samsung Bespoke 4-door fridge. This allowed us to seamlessly integrate it into the kitchen layout, ensuring both functionality and a cohesive design. Ensuring we had sufficient countertop sockets to support our appliances was a top priority. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to use the kitchen gadgets we’ve always wanted. Placing outlets throughout the kitchen has allowed us to create a space that fully supports our love of cooking, without compromising on convenience or functionality. To solve the challenge of laundry drying space, which is shared with the kitchen, we opted for a Steigen drying system. While there were other brands to consider, we chose Steigen, a reliable local brand, for the added peace of mind in case any issues arose. So far, it has served us well, effortlessly handling and efficiently drying full loads of clothing with its 6-hour heat drying mode. This solution has proven both dependable and efficient, making our laundry routine much easier while minimizing the inconvenience of having clothes drying at the same time as we needed to cook, since everything just dries so quickly. To support our laundry activities and create additional storage, we used trusted 3M Command tape to mount IKEA pegboards, avoiding drilling or permanent fixtures. These pegboards have been incredible, allowing us to hang everything from clothes hangers to baskets for laundry bags. The space also provides a convenient spot to store our ironing board. Additionally, we placed the power switch for the Steigen in this closet. Since it’s rarely (never) turned off, keeping it out of daily sight is a winner. We opted for a closed concept kitchen design to prevent cooking smells from drifting into the rest of the house, utilizing a space-saving glass sliding door (with the essential soft-closing). The glass panels effectively close off the kitchen while still blending it with the living room.. also ensuring that the dishwasher feels included during gatherings and not too isolated while the party is happening outside :) Thanks for reading our post! We've put a lot of thought into planning into the kitchen and love how it's turned out. Stay safe our masterchefs out there!
- 25 August
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