Lets talk kitchens!
Hi, my name is Jess, the owner of JCavaree Interiors based in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas, and today I’m sharing a few key tips to help elevate your kitchen space — all while keeping it looking effortlessly cute!
There are so many practical considerations we should be thinking about when designing our kitchens — and it all starts with how you actually use the space. The very first thing to understand is your working triangle: the relationship between your sink, hob, and fridge. This triangle forms the core flow of your kitchen and should allow easy, natural movement between these three key zones.
Next, we look at the shape of your kitchen and which layout works best to keep everything within comfortable reach. Once that foundation is in place… then we get to the fun part!
Here are just a few key tips to keep in mind when designing your kitchen. But only a few… I can’t give away all my secrets just yet 😉
Take top cabinets to the ceiling!
I’m not sure why, but when it comes to kitchen design, this dust-collecting gap always seems to get left behind. People often say they’re keeping it for “extra storage” but why not build that storage inside the cabinetry instead? That way, you eliminate a dust trap, keep the space looking cleaner, and actually gain more usable storage at the same time.
Pantries are great for storing snacks or event displaying your dried food.
If your’re struggling for space a thin pullout cabinet can also be a great option.
These pantry options are a fantastic way to store snacks, spices, and all those everyday essentials. They keep everything organised and easily accessible - even for tiny hands who love to help themselves!
But - what about a pantry for your appliances? A common misconception is that we need more worktop space because there never seems to be any left… but that’s often because it’s covered in appliances! Kettle, toaster, microwave - the list goes on. By housing these inside an appliance pantry, you instantly free up your surfaces and create a cleaner, more streamlined kitchen. You could even turn one into your very own coffee station ☕
Free up that space for more decorative elements or just more surface!
Add drawers!
If there’s one piece of advice you take away from today, let this be the biggest one - ditch the cupboards and add drawers instead. Let’s be honest… who actually enjoys bending down and digging to the back of a cupboard to rescue the frying pan that’s fallen over?
Drawers make everything visible and easy to reach, and there are so many clever drawer insert options now to level up your storage - just like the ones shown above. From spice compartments to tray dividers, the list goes on. So do your back a favour and swap those cupboards for drawers!
Hob on the island
If you’re lucky enough to have the space for a gorgeous island like the one above, then pleassssse put your hob on the island, not your sink. A sink on the island tends to invite clutter and mess, whereas a hob encourages interaction and conversation.
Just imagine the family or kids gathered around, watching while you channel your inner Gordon Ramsay! It instantly turns cooking into a shared experience rather than a chore.
Gorgeous shelving
Let’s finish on a more aesthetically pleasing note — these gorgeous shelving rails. My go-to are the ones from Armac Martin. Instead of filling every inch with cupboards, introduce open spaces like this. Shelving is such a beautiful way to add character, warmth, and personality to your kitchen while still keeping it practical.
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s blog. I’d love to share everything I’ve learned from creating kitchens over the years — but we’d be here forever! If you have any questions at all, or if you’d like support with designing your dream kitchen, please don’t hesitate to email me at jess@jcavareeinteriors.com.
Have a lovely week, and I’ll see you in the next blog!
Lots of love