CREATING A JOYFUL KITCHEN

One of the easiest ways to get inspired in the kitchen is for the space to be one you enjoy being in to start with. This doesn’t mean it needs to be anything fancy, or have all of the latest cooking equipment…

As Amelia Freer explains in her new book, The Organised Cook (Allen & Unwin, $55, see more on page 105), while kitchens are a functional space, they can also be beautiful – a part of our home that we love to spend time in. And if they are a space we enjoy being in, we’re more likely to use it to its full potential.

“Creating an appealing space reminds us that our time in the kitchen is as important and can be as joyful as time spent anywhere else in the house,” says Freer. For her, this means fresh flowers on the bench, plants in the surrounding area, or even just a bunch of fresh herbs in a vase by the windowsill.

“I also like to have bowls of fruit, fresh eggs, tomatoes and other seasonal produce out on display. I keep my nicest hand soap and hand cream by the kitchen sink, as well as having a few candles to light as I cook.

“It’s these little, but important, moments of beauty that make my kitchen a more desirable place to be, even when I’m shattered.”

Experimenting with new flavours and cuisines, watching cooking shows or joining an online cooking community can also help you get inspired in the kitchen – benefiting your wellness at the same time.