Moving efficiently through the kitchen

Over the 2025 holiday period, I've cooked a variety of dishes, including canapés, starters, mains, desserts, and soups for myself and guests coming over. After Christmas dinner, I always use the turkey bones to make stock, which I can store in the freezer for use throughout the year. While making this stock, I paused to reflect on how efficiently I can move in my kitchen kitchen during such preparations and wondered 'what actually makes that I can do this?'

Magnetic knife strip

It all starts here, this was the best upgrade I made to the kitchen. No more clunky knife blocks, very slim on storage space and immediately within reach of my prep area whenever I want to use a different knife. I keep the knives I use most (left two ones) on the front so they're easiest to grab.

PS: Someone told me blocks like this are supposedly bad for the knives, since it dulls the blade every time you put it on the strip. Haven't experienced that myself.

PPS: You'll still spot a knife block in the back, I reserve that for knives I rarely use (like a deboning one) and heavier items (my honing steel)

Seasoning station and a spoon rest

Close to the stove I keep a jar of fine seasoning salt, the pepper mill and a mislabeled jar of coarse sea salt for finishing. I add salt and pepper in layers as I cook dishes and not having to resort to an annoying shaker or open an extra drawer allows for seasoning in a swift pinch.

I also use a spoon rest to keep spoons, knives, chopsticks out of the way but not laying there dirty on the kitchen countertop. My wife made it out of ceramics for me 😊

PS: Behind the stove I also keep an IKEA flower pot with some other elevating spices & seasonings that go for any dish (e.g Tabasco, Worcestershire, Tajin). Those are typically a bit clunky to get neatly into a drawer.

My Gridfinity compatible prep box

As a very basic entry into Fusion 360 and CAD modelling for 3D printing I've designed this kitchen organiser box. It's compatible with a Gridfinity 6x5 baseplate so that I can add modules to my liking.

I leveled up significantly after introducing this. Allowing me to reorganise on the fly, take out separate boxes to do something in another corner of the kitchen, have all my tasting spoons at hand, hang my wedding ring on a small hook when rolling meatballs. Best thing is that since it's portable I can easily move my kitchen workspace with me on retreats (where I typically like to cook for people).

PS: This could also be used for example for a cocktail workstation!

PPS: Since this was the prototype it actually misses some features from the design I've uploaded to Printables. I've since made it customizable with parameters, added notches in the sides for easier grabbing & carrying.

PPPS: As a fun home automation thing I've stuck an NFC sticker between the right corner of the box's edge and the bin with the spoons. If I tap my phone against it, it starts playing some music and lights up the kitchen counter.

Prep bowls

These small bowls are key to my kitchen. They're inexpensive, lightweight, fit easily in the washing machine and stack for easy storage. Super versatile things, I use them for making sauces & dressings, getting food out of the pan and moved to the side for later use, ice baths, or just storing leftovers or prepped items in the fridge.

PS: I also use these sheet-pan like oval shallow plates for the same purpose. They fit the dishwasher even better.

Spice drawer with common spices

This is the next level organising nerd in me that pops up. I have a sole drawer dedicated to frequently used spices, all in the same IKEA jars and with the same Dille & Kamille labels. The drawer is right next to the stove so I don't have to reach to far if I feel like adding something in the heat of the moment.

I then keep the spice pantry & lesser-used spices in a cabinet on the other side of the kitchen. Doesn't eat away precious countertop space but they're there if I want to refill a spice container in the drawer. I use simple masking tape & plastic deli containers to remember what they are.

A crate with stacked deli containers

There was a time when I saved too much deli containers than I needed, but these are just so useful. Chinese takeout, supermarket soup and then those easy Tupperware like containers from IKEA & Hema, I save all of those to store leftovers in the fridge or freezer or put away some prepped items for a later dinner party.

Biggest trick here is to use a medium sized foldable crate (this one is from Hema) so you can easily grab all of the containers and take out the right ones. Then it doesn't get all messy in the kitchen drawer or cabinet.

A sink caddy

I don't have the largest space near the sink here in the kitchen but having all cleaning items in a caddy keeps it tidy and maximizes the space for items that are drying. I'm a big fan of using the Scrub Mommy sponge that has two sides to thoroughly clean all the dirty dishes.

A simple steel wool brush helps me clean the kitchen sink if it has some residual oils or other dirt in it. I also designed a simple caddy for the two hemp sponges I use to wipe away dirt of the countertop (pictured on the right)