For anyone who has ever set themselves fitness or wellbeing goals, specifically as a personal resolution, it’s all too easy to ignore the role of our kitchen in nurturing healthy benefits. Instead, actively encourage both mental and physical health benefits by considering your home layout – especially your kitchen – which can influence lifestyle choices.

Healthy living is largely about proper dieting, including eating naturally and reducing harmful plastics. But, helping achieve these goals, it can be helpful to have a focus on your wider lifestyle choices around your physical and mental wellbeing.

Empowering a healthier wellbeing, as a personal and timely project, is no small feat. Frequent exercise, healthy eating during mealtimes (and avoiding indulgence), and greener lifestyle decisions – these are sustainable, healthy routines that can support your goals.

 

Why Does Your Kitchen Matter?

The spaces around you, it’s largely believed, affect both mood and wellbeing. Some experts have even recommended that cooking in your kitchen, whilst relaxing, can encourage physical and mental benefits.

Your kitchen is important because it’s a space that focuses on energising, or sharpening, the senses as you prep, cook or bake meals. Yet, it can improve emotional health too, boost moods, and even reignite your creativity. In fact, nutritional experts have suggested that your diet is one of the focal points for a healthier wellbeing.

What better way to kickstart healthy living then by remodelling a healthier lifestyle at home in the kitchen?

 

1.    Refocus kitchen storage on cooking meals

Start by evaluating your diet, break it down into food categories – like vegetables, meats, or breads – and try to build storage around food groups, meal inspirations, or other clever arrangements. This can guide, for example, how you could structure your pantry, along with other kitchen storage options and ideas, like cupboards for non-perishable goods.  

Focus on expiration dates in items like supplements, nuts and fruits, or those items with a longer shelf-life. Only store dry goods on counter-tops and pantries but keep fruits in cool places. The design of your kitchen can be helpful in both inspiring meals, but also managing diets and expiration dates.

 

2.    Prime your kitchen for cooking

Use your kitchen to empower creativity in your diet. Cooking can seem experimental yet relaxing, and this space can boost your mental mood. By having your kitchen optimised for diets, you can more enjoyably spend time at home cooking meals.

Have a designated, practical nook in your kitchen for quick access to recipes and cookbooks and find inspiration from learning about new meal options. The kitchen should be space of exploration and discovery, both in home design and you diet.

The best kitchen designs, which are generous with space and lighting, are great for inspiring new meals, or even adventuring into new ingredients.

 

3.    Plan for a busy household

Your kitchen design can, and arguably should, be as playful as you like. But reign in focus to be on functionality. If you’re the only using the kitchen, then a remodel around your personality is far easier.

For those with families, try planning a kitchen for family gatherings, whether eating or cooking. This social aspect of kitchen design, encouraging families to come together, could work favourably for your wellbeing.  

 

4.    Discover spices

For those motivated by healthier diets and learning new alternatives, thinking creatively with spices can open your mealtimes new and exciting experiences. For example, pre-made dressings, marinades and other sauces can be substituted for fresh herbs.

Keep the fresh or dried herbs within reach, such as on a countertop, and encourage yourself to experiment often. Herbs are a perfect device for culinary discovery, which means you could turn meal prep into an exciting journey.

When remodelling your kitchen, having a dedicated food preparation corner can be supportive to creating, and likewise maintaining, a steady diet. Allow yourself both time and space to cook. Try getting inspired by kitchen worktops, for example, because better management of space can encourage you to keep coming back to the kitchen.

Designing a kitchen is all about creativity, imagination, and expertise. A kitchen specialist can handle the hassle of design and delivery, while you sit back and enjoy the rewarding benefit of a new kitchen.

The article was produced in collaboration with KNB Ltd., Nottingham’s premier kitchen and bathroom specialist with over 30 years of experience.