Designed for Efficiency

When we first got our marital home, we could not do much renovation due to financial constrains. Thus, I had to make do with whatever that was already there. I am so glad that I can have, at long last, my perfect workspace. This is especially necessary with a house twice the size of my previous home. I have to be even more efficient to be able to clean the house, do laundry, cook and take care of 4 kiddos all by myself. 

First, I chose the colour not just to brighten up the place. Since everything will turn yellow with time if constantly exposed to oil fumes, it will not be so obvious if it is already yellow in the first place! LOL I invested in a quartz countertop and glass backing for easy maintenance. Stains will not show up so easily with the sparkling marbled effect of the material. 

I requested for two faucets at the sink because I need one of them to dispense filtered water. And since my children help me out with washing dishes, it is useful to have an additional tap when I work side by side with one of them standing on the stool. 

In order to maximise the space under the sink, I got a long tension rod so that I can hang baskets meant for sponges and wiper sheets above all the things at the bottom. 

I made sure that there is plenty of space between the sink and the cooktop so that I can quickly prepare ingredients on the chopping board without worrying about food dropping to the floor. Dishes and knives are within easy reach. I also made sure that there are two power sockets for infrequently used appliances such as a mini air-purifier, air-fryer and multi-tiered steamer which are normally kept in the cabinet underneath. 

I decided to convert to an induction hob because Jayna asked to be taught to cook next year. It'll be far safer when there isn't any open flames. I realised that it is so much easier to clean and maintain an induction cooker as compared to a gas stove. Another good thing about it is that I don't have to worry about running out of gas in the middle of cooking like I used to. 

I placed the condiments near enough for me to marinate the ingredients and use them while I cook yet far enough to prevent getting splatter from stir-frying. The pots and pans are kept directly below for quick access. 

I'm so glad that with a bigger kitchen, I can have plenty of counter space to put my rice container, raw sugar jar together with my oven and kettle without cramping them. It is such a relief to have a proper cutlery tray, right sized drawers and shelves of the right height for all my stuff. 

Instead of being squeezed into a corner blocked by dining chairs, my trolley for plastic tableware finally has its own place near to the dining area. The kids now do not need to come all the way into the kitchen to get their eating utensils, tissue or wet wipes and throw rubbish into the dustbin. The fridge is right beside it so they can easily get their breakfast cereal and milk in the morning without bothering me too. No more dangerously getting in my way while I work in the kitchen. Yay!

Old method

New method

I totally love my new laundry area. In the past, I kept unused hangers on an exposed hanging bar but they collected dust and rusted very quickly. Now, I fitted two tension rods into one of my big laundry boxes to store them instead. I can take off the lid whenever I need the hangers and put the lid back when I'm done. 

I've always been using my dining table to sort my laundry but it is very difficult when the kids need to eat at the dining table too. Thus, I decided to custom-make a foldable table that can be tucked away when not in use. What a truly great space-saving idea!

All the way up for drying...

All the way down for easy access

I am extremely grateful to my CG mate for suggesting this EZ Living Clothesline System to me. I can permanently do away with a clothes fork, which has been such a hazard to my kids and I whenever they help out with the laundry, since the laundry poles go up and come down with a simple pressing of the button. It even comes with its own illumination, UV lights to kill germs and ventilating fans to aid in the drying of the clothes.

In case you're wondering,
this is an extendable clothes fork
for reaching hangers on
laundry poles at the ceiling

Last but not the least, I brought over from the old place my indispensable 16-inch fan to keep me cool while I cook or give extra wind power to dry the laundry on rainy days. I love it that it's white and blends into the background, sitting unobtrusively atop the fridge.