Utopia Kitchen & Bathroom – August 2018

A trip to the tip for the umpteenth time this year got me thinking; why am I back here so soon after the last visit when I officially declared that this was to be the start of a new, clutter-free era?

I’d like to think that I’m not one of life’s hoarders - any opportunity to rifle through the family’s cupboards and drawers for items to donate to charity, I relish.

But the fact that I’ve ended up once again at the local waste and recycling site so quickly suggests that I’m not on top of my jumble game. I still have too much stuff that I don’t actually need!
Storage solutions to make life easier are big business. I have these
in abundance, but it’s never enough and I’ve realised that they’re only a solution if you adopt the right approach to maintaining
order in the home and regularly review life’s possessions.
The kitchen is a prime example. How many pots are actually required to cater for an average size family? And why are there gadgets that promise
so much but are so underwhelming on delivery still lining my drawers?
It’s the question, according to the experts, that anyone planning a new kitchen should consider first. There’s no point throwing every storage solution at this room if you have too much to start with; you’ll be overwhelmed and outgrow it before the grout has even dried on your new, lovely tiles.
So, for some great tips and examples of how you can bring order to
the hub of the home, see our feature, Hide and Sleek (p48).
Another issue that can be the source of stress and annoyance in the home is the morning work and school run. It’s no surprise that the conflicting demands for the bathroom have prompted a surge in desire for double washbasins et al - see Stick to your Own (p66).
Plus, our round-up of the latest, stylish products for your kitchen
and bathroom, real homes case studies and much more!