Share this link via
Or copy link
F or some people, the kitchen plays a purely decorative role. It’s a space that looks absolutely beautiful, but nothing ever happens in there except for the occasional coffee stop. For others, the kitchen is nothing more than a generous office extension, where the laptop and paperwork live, with the countertops acting as desks. There are also those who make a habit out of using their kitchens as impromptu party venues, where family and friends gather to catch up and have so much-needed fun.
The point is modern kitchens can serve many different purposes, depending on the needs and lifestyles of their inhabitants, which also implies adopting different approaches to design and decor. But there are still plenty of people who use their kitchens the traditional way, for their primary purpose, which is cooking and meal prepping. In this case, the space has to be properly planned, equipped, and organised to support these activities.
The need to personalise and optimise the kitchen space is all the more important if you have very specific dietary preferences, such as veganism. As an adept of vegan gastronomy whose love for plant-based recipes knows no bounds, you’ll definitely need a kitchen that matches your passion and taste buds, so let’s see what you can do about it.
Appliances and tools that are sturdy, efficient, and can simplify different tasks and processes are crucial in every kitchen that sees a lot of cooking action. But as a vegan cook, you need to focus on the type of equipment that can make it easier for you to prepare vegan meals.
Think about the types of foods you cook most often and the tools you require to prepare them. For instance, if you enjoy making sauces, creamy soups, or nut-based cheeses, you’ll need a powerful high-speed blender or food processor to help you out.
Instant pots are perfect for cooking dried beans, legumes, and grains quickly, so you can prepare lentil soup, vegan chili, split pea soup, and many other delicious dishes in no time. Similarly, tools like vegetable peelers, spiralizers, slicers, and quality cookware are an absolute must in a vegan kitchen, so make sure you add them to your list.
When organizing their cooking space, most people focus on aspects such as layout and the famous kitchen triangle. While these are universal principles that all homeowners should consider, when planning a plant-based kitchen, storage, and the efficient organisation of the space tend to take centre stage.
Maximising storage means you might have to invest in new furniture where you can keep all your utensils and food ingredients. Fortunately, there’s a good selection of cheap kitchens with spacious cabinets on the market, in every imaginable style and colour, so you won’t have to search too long for the ideal units.
Or, if you have the space and the budget, you can build a pantry. Apart from reducing clutter and improving kitchen workflow by ensuring easy access to all the items you keep, having a dedicated storage space will also enable you to purchase products in bulk, so you’ll be saving money in the long run.
you’ll also need a good system for stocking your kitchen pantry and fridge with all of the produce that is necessary for vegan cooking, which typically includes a variety of leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and all sorts of spices and herbs.
You can use glass jars to store dry goods like lentils, beans, chickpeas, quinoa, rice, nuts, and so on, and keep them on a separate shelf in the pantry. Boxes and crates are perfect for storing high-volume vegetables and fruits, such as kale, cabbage, peppers, mushrooms, apples, and other ingredients that occupy a lot of space.
You might also want to organise your drawers or cupboards based on the types of foods and utensils you store inside. For example, you can have a cupboard for baking, another for wholefoods, and so on. Smart storage solutions like dividers, racks, or magnets can make a notable difference as well.
Make sure to always stock your fridge and freezer with vegan kitchen staples such as vegan butter, plant milks, tofu, or tempeh, and only keep essential items like blenders and cutting boards on the countertop, so as to avoid clutter and keep your kitchen looking neat and organised.
There’s nothing more annoying than having to cook in a poorly lit kitchen. This can make even the most random tasks like peeling vegetables more difficult and potentially dangerous, which ultimately takes away from the joy of cooking. That’s why you need to pay special attention to lighting.
To ensure optimum visibility and comfort in the kitchen, you should have a combination of ambient lighting and fixtures that provide direct, dedicated lighting for every work zone, including countertops, stovetop/oven, kitchen island, and the sink area. You need to place lights above the work surface or in front of you to avoid casting shadows, and choose fixtures that have a higher light intensity.
Having a garden where you can grow all sorts of vegetables and herbs is probably every vegan cook’s dream. But if you live in an apartment building with no access to a patch of land or a balcony, you might think that’s not an option for you.
Fortunately, you can still practice your green thumb and enjoy fresh homegrown ingredients by setting up a mini indoor garden in your kitchen. All you have to do is plant herbs and leafy greens in pots and containers and place them in high-light areas like south-facing windowsills. Learn about their care requirements, so you can keep them healthy, and soon you’ll have a thriving indoor garden that will supply you with greens whenever you need them.
We hope these recommendations will come in handy and help you create a kitchen that supports and nurtures your passion for vegan cooking.