Go the whole hogWith general rubbish, food waste and recycling to consider, giving over the whole area under the sink to a complete waste system makes sense in a busy home. The pull-out design makes it easy to access, and the separate units lift out, so they’re a doddle to empty. A fully integrated design like this means there’s no need for any precious floor or benchtop space to be taken up with ugly rubbish caddies.
Store bins in practical spotsThe best spot to set up a recycling station is the kitchen, but the laundry is the next best option. Where you choose will depend on how much space you have available and your home’s configuration.Locating recycling bins near your prep area is the most convenient option. I wouldn’t recommend placing bins in a cupboard for a couple of reasons – first, you want to make the process as effortless as possible, and having to open the cupboard to access the bin requires extra effort. This is made all the more difficult when you are in the middle of food prep and need to access the bin with food-covered hands. Second, having bins inside dark cupboards can attract cockroaches.
CompostingComposting is easy once you know how. Set up your compost bin in a sheltered spot with good drainage and lots of sun, feed it a half-and-half mix of food scraps and garden scraps, and aerate it by giving it a good stir every time you feed it. Adding worms will also help aerate the soil – you can buy packs of worms online from the Compost Revolution store.The Compost Revolution program began in 2012. “Since then, more than 6000 tonnes of food waste has been diverted from landfill,” says Williamson. That’s the equivalent of 49,645 wheelie bins!
7. Under-sink drawerUnder-sink cupboards are great for storing cleaning utilities, but are not always practical. Instead of foraging for bin liners, plastic bags, washing up liquid and hoards of cleaning products all jammed into a deep, dark space – with the one item you need always hiding away in the back corner – try an under-sink drawer option instead.A set of under-sink drawers are probably the most popular drawers with my clients. They jump for joy when I show them how we can make a U-shaped drawer that fits around the plumbing pipes under their sink, giving them an easy-to-organise and easy-to-assess space to store all their cleaning products. Use the top drawer to store washing up liquid, hand wash and dish cloths so they’re off your bench but within easy reach. And fill the subsequent bottom drawers with less-used items like cleaning products, bin liners and scourers.Tip: If you have young children, you can add a child safety catch to the drawers to keep all those dangerous cleaning products away from curious hands.
1. Bin drawerHaving a bin full of rubbish sit on the floor in the kitchen can be unsightly; it also takes up floor space, making the area look cluttered and untidy. Incorporate a pull-out bin drawer into your new kitchen design. Depending on the plumbing arrangement, it may be possible to fit one under the sink. Otherwise, dedicate a small cabinet close to your sink. Being able to pull the bin out – as opposed to having it sit on a shelf inside a cupboard, and you having to tuck a hand full of rubbish inside – will make it easier for you to see where you are throwing your rubbish; this way none of it ends up sitting in the bottom of your cabinet. Tip: For an even better bin drawer, look for one that has the ability to have a push-to-open mechanism attached to it. This will allow you to push against the drawer front with your hip or knee to open it when your hands are full of rubbish.10 clever tricks to hide garbage in the kitchen
2. In-built bench binsThe sleek stainless-steel lid hides a removable 15-litre bin. Designed by German company Franke, the unit is perfect for composting. Installed flush to the bench it means that vegetable scraps can be scraped directly from the chopping board into the bin. It is also wonderfully space saving – it doesn’t take up floor space and can be installed in the ever-difficult-to-use-effectively corner of your bench.
3. Bin locationThe kitchen bin is not only used for food scraps and packaging. More often than not, it is used for everyday household rubbish that is collected around the house. For this reason, it is useful to place the bin at a point in the kitchen that is easily accessible from the rest of the house. I suggest placing it on the end of the bench or island, closest to the kitchen entrance. That way, you can simply throw something in the bin as you walk past, rather than walk into the kitchen and get in the way of the chef! As for a compost bin, that you can keep as close to your food prep area as possible.10 clever tricks to hide garbage in the kitchen
How far do you have to travel to fetch a mop when there’s a spill? Or do you keep it shoved in the space beside the fridge? Here’s a fantastic solution: this pull-out keeps the cleaning essentials hidden away and beautifully organised – ready to clean up spills immediately. Amazingly, this broom cupboard will only steal 200 millimetres of floor space from your kitchen, but having the broom, dustpan and mop on hand right when you need them will prove to be one of life’s essential luxuries. Tell usWhat innovative inclusions have improved the functionality of your kitchen? Share pictures and ideas in the Comments.MoreBrowse more kitchen photos
Kickboard platter drawer
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