The term "mindful kitchens" seems to be everywhere right now, yet the concept of mindfulness has been with us for some time – thousands of years, in fact, an ancient practice used by Buddhists during meditation. These days, understanding the concept and how we can implement it into our kitchen design ideas and busy modern lives can really help create a sense of order and calm at home.
Kitchens tend to be one of the busiest rooms of the house – hives of activity where multitasking is the norm. It makes sense, then, that homeowners are increasingly seeking out ways to introduce methods of designing these spaces so that they not only function on a practical level but also foster a general sense of wellbeing, as opposed to chaos.
If you long for a kitchen that not only serves as a space to prep, cook and eat but also feels like a pocket of tranquility in which to stop and take a moment to reflect, our expert's top tips are here to help.
What is a mindful kitchen?
It is important to bear in mind here that what one person finds helpful in inducing a sense of calm in the kitchen will often be quite different from another – and this is a key factor in defining mindful kitchen ideas.
"A mindful kitchen isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all – it means something different to everyone," elaborates up Paul Dore, managing director and kitchen expert at County Stone Ltd. "It isn’t about following a trend or copying a showroom look, it’s about designing a space that genuinely supports how you live day-to-day. Your lifestyle, your family and how you use your kitchen should always come first."
Natalie Fry, founder and creative director of Grid Thirteen Design Studio, agrees that a mindful kitchen requires a personalised outlook. "We approach the kitchen as a space that should actively support daily life, wellbeing, and connection. Whether for families, young professional couples, or anyone balancing a busy lifestyle, a mindful kitchen design starts with understanding how the space should feel, not just how it should look," she says. "It’s about creating a home environment that is calm, practical and welcoming, where everyday routines feel effortless."
Paul is managing director at County Stone Ltd who has built a fantastic reputation for creatively responding to highly varied and often rather ‘different’ types of commissions and contracts both in the domestic and commercial markets.
Natalie Fry is founder and Creative Director of Grid Thirteen, a multi-award-winning luxury interior design studio based in North Leeds, founded in 2013. With over 25 years of experience working with some of the UK’s leading architects and interior innovators, Natalie leads her all-female design team to create beautiful and functional kitchen, bedroom and living spaces for clients across the UK that are true reflections of clients’ personalities and lifestyles.
What does a mindful kitchen mean to you?
The key to creating a mindful kitchen is to avoid simply following the latest kitchen trends and focus instead on designing a very personalised space.
"For passionate cooks, mindfulness might mean plenty of room for ingredients and spices, a large five-burner hob, double or even triple ovens, and space for appliances like mixers and food processors that are used regularly," explains Paul Dore. "For busy families who value speed and convenience, it could be about generous storage – large fridge-freezers, walk-in pantries, or pull-out larders for dried goods – and layouts that make quick meals and school-day routines easier and less stressful."
Natalie Fry explains how they implemented these ideas into a kitchen they recently designed. "The project began not with a discussion about finishes or styles, but with how the clients wanted the space to feel when they walked through the door," she says. "After long working days, they wanted calm rather than visual noise, and a kitchen that felt personal and lived-in rather than pristine. It was also important that the space reflected their personality and the experiences they had gathered through travel, without becoming themed or overly designed."
While mindful kitchens have to be carefully tuned to suit their owners, there are some general concepts to bear in mind when designing this type of space.
1. Create a layout that flows effortlessly
Kitchen layout ideas lie at the heart of a space that feels calming to spend time in, so focus on this at the earliest stages of planning.
"A mindful kitchen flows intuitively," explains Charlotte Tilby, head of marketing at Woodstock, parent company of LochAnna Kitchens. "We design with uninterrupted work zones, so movement feels natural and unforced. Our advice is to design around how you live and cook – when the layout complements daily routines, the space feels far more relaxed and harmonious. Additionally, the placement of your kitchen sink plays a crucial role. Positioning it within an island can enhance workflow, keeping everything within easy reach and maximising counter space while placing it beneath a window allows for natural light and a view while washing up."
"Tamsin Holland, product development manager at Paula Rosa Kitchens, has some further tips on mindful kitchen layouts. "We’re seeing a real move towards kitchens that are thoughtfully zoned and designed around how people actually live day-to-day. Large islands and worktables remain incredibly popular because they anchor the space, becoming somewhere to cook, gather, work and entertain all at once," she says. "At the same time, more defined layouts, such as semi-open or broken-plan designs, are helping to create calmer, more organised environments. It’s less about one big open room and more about creating purposeful areas that improve flow, functionality and comfort.”
As Head of Marketing for Woodstock Co., the parent company for LochAnna Kitchens, Calypso and Veldeau bathroom brands, Charlotte has her finger on the pulse for the latest design solutions for any kitchen and bathroom space. Championing the company’s brands gives her a wealth of knowledge on new and innovative products hitting the market.
Tamsin is product development manager at Paula Rosa Kitchens, manufacturers and suppliers of beautiful, environmentally sustainable kitchens, bedroom, and bathroom furniture across the UK.
2. Make great storage a priority for clutter control
Clutter will never help create a sense of calm – in any room. Kitchens can quickly become dumping grounds and, with so many gadgets and appliances on offer these days, finding somewhere to keep them neatly stowed away can really stand in the way of creating an ordered space.
"Storage choices play a big role in wellbeing," reveals Paul Dore. "Some homeowners love open shelving and find joy in seeing cookbooks, glassware and personal pieces on display, while others feel more relaxed when surfaces are clear, and everything is tucked away behind doors. Neither approach is better than the other, it’s simply about understanding what makes you feel most at ease in your own space."
"A true sense of calm goes hand in hand with storage," states Charlotte Tilby. "Pay careful attention to clever, hidden storage solutions and thoughtful organisation because when everything has a home and is decluttered, it’s easier to feel calm. Good design should quietly support the way you live," continues Charlotte. "One of the simplest ways to reduce clutter is by incorporating clever storage – pull-out pantries, drawer organisers and integrated bins keep everything in its place, minimising both visual and sensory distractions. Built-in elements, like a pull-out larder will allow you to hide away items you may not want on display, creating the illusion of a more open space."
Shop kitchen storage ideas
Keep your drawers neat and tidy with this clever divider which can expand from five to nine compartments. Made from 100% bamboo, it is also a good sustainable option.
These easy-to-install sliding unit drawers come in three sizes so are suitable for storing all kinds of goods. They can be stuck in place with the sticky pads or screwed in.
This handy sliding unit features four bin sizes to keep your rubbish pleasingly separated, be than cans and tins or food waste. Alternatively, use the bins as storage containers.
3. Incorporating natural materials will make a huge difference
Using tactile materials, found in nature, is one of the best ways to encourage taking a moment to stop and linger, whether to appreciate the inherent variations in their pattern, or explore the way they feel.
Natalie Fry shares how Grid Thirteen utilised this technique in one of their recent projects. "Material choices were guided by both performance and experience – warm walnut-toned cabinetry paired with porcelain kitchen worktops to bring durability alongside a sense of softness and warmth. These materials were chosen to age well and to introduce an organic quality that feels grounding and familiar, echoing the natural textures the clients were drawn to through their travels."
When choosing materials, do bear in mind that where they came from and how they will last really matters, as Paul Dore explains. "Sustainability is increasingly central to mindful kitchen design. Homeowners are becoming more conscious of longevity and choosing materials that will stand the test of time. We’re seeing a real shift towards solid wood kitchens that can last for decades and be refreshed or adapted as tastes change, rather than replaced entirely. Stone worktops are another long-term, sustainable investment – with the right care, they can last a lifetime and never really go out of style."
4. Select your colour palette to help you feel 'grounded'
Both the kitchen wall colours you choose to use, as well as those within the materials, appliances and flooring you opt for, can mark the difference between a space that feels restful and nurturing and one that has a fizzier, more energetic ambience.
"The most calming kitchens tend to feature earthy, nature-inspired tones such as sage, mushroom, and warm neutrals, which create a soothing, grounded atmosphere that promotes relaxation and balance," advises Charlotte Tilby. "These tones work beautifully with natural materials and soft lighting to enhance a sense of warmth and tranquillity."
Paul Dore agrees that sticking with a nature-inspired colour scheme is important when designing a mindful space, but emphasises that they need not be pale. "Lighter, softer shades such as pastel greens, blues and warm neutrals are often associated with calm and airiness, but deeper, richer tones such as dark green or burgundy, which is proving particularly popular this year, can feel grounding and comforting when used thoughtfully," he says. "Natural wood is a strong trend at the moment and it works beautifully alongside both light, calming palettes and darker schemes that need softening or contrast."
5. Appliances matter more than you might think
Choosing kitchen appliances carefully is important in any kind of kitchen if you want it to perform well for you, but if you are designing your space with an emphasis on mindfulness, there are some particular points to bear in mind.
"Mindful choices definitely extend to appliances and technology," says Paul Dore. "Incorporating induction hobs, A and A+ rated appliances, smart lighting and underfloor heating all help to create a kitchen that’s more energy-efficient and comfortable to use."
"Advanced technology should be seamlessly embedded into fittings and appliances, enhancing usability while maintaining a harmonious, forward-looking aesthetic," picks up Elina Enqvist-Twomey, leader of product management for Fixtures and Kitchen at GROHE UK, who goes on to suggest incorporating a filter tap such as those by GROHE as a way of enhancing the mindful experience in your kitchen. "They deliver pure, filtered water straight from the tap, reducing reliance on plastic bottles while promoting hydration and sustainable living," she says.
Shop appliances to make life easier
This induction hob lets you set precise temperatures for each individual zone, meaning no energy is wasted. It also has a coating to keep it looking gleaming without scrubbing, plus its 'FastBoil' setting means no waiting around for water to boil.
With its minimalist design, this tap not only delivers bags of style but also produces filtered drinking water as well as unfiltered hot and cold. The 360° swivel spout and pull-out hose also make rinsing veg and cleaning your sink a doddle.
Miele are known for their long-lasting appliances and this dishwasher is well worth the investment. It has an A energy-rating, gives gleaming results with a one-hour cycle and offers savings of up to 50% electricity with the Miele hot water connection.
FAQs
Is the kitchen work triangle a good idea in mindful kitchens?
The kitchen work triangle might have first been thought-up in the 1940s, but for many people it remains a good concept on which to base a kitchen layout. At a basic level it recommends that the three main working areas of a kitchen – oven/hob, sink and fridge – should be positioned to form a rough triangle. The purpose of this is to make moving between them easier.
Of course these days, there are other appliances and storage methods usually relied upon – larder units, dishwashers and so on. In a mindful kitchen, rather than slavishly following any set concepts, it is better to think about how you move around your space and base your layout on that.
"Thinking carefully about how you move around the kitchen can make a huge difference to how calm and intuitive it feels," says Paul Dore. "Keen cooks often benefit from having everything within easy reach – the hob, oven, fridge, bin, dishwasher and plug sockets – while others may prioritise practical pairings, such as placing the microwave close to the fridge for quick meals. Even small decisions like this can make simple tasks easier and make the space feel more mindful.
"Ultimately, a mindful kitchen is one that feels calm, considered and personal – a space that works hard for you, supports your wellbeing and still looks beautiful years down the line."
One of the easiest, quickest and most affordable ways of updating your kitchen to feel more restful is through your kitchen decor ideas – even making small changes, such as adding in some moisture-loving plants or fitting a few open shelves can make all the difference.
