As the school year kicks off in the UAE, it’s the perfect time to refresh your kitchen and streamline the chaos that comes with the daily grind of school mornings, packed lunches, and after-school snacks. A well-organised kitchen can make your mornings more efficient, ensure healthier meals, and reduce the stress of getting everyone out the door on time. Designer Chiara Porcu shares three practical kitchen organisation ideas to help you start the school year on the right foot.
Create a Lunch Packing Station
Packing lunches can be a time-consuming task, especially when you’re trying to cater to different tastes and preferences. A dedicated lunch-packing station can help make this daily task quicker and easier. Choose a section of your kitchen that’s easily accessible, whether it’s a lower cabinet, pantry shelf, or a specific countertop. This should be close to your meal-prepping area to streamline the process. Use clear, labelled bins to organise snacks, fruits, sandwich ingredients, and containers.
Designate a Homework and Snack Zone
After a long school day, the kitchen becomes the heart of the home where kids do homework, enjoy snacks, and unwind. Creating a dedicated homework and snack zone helps keep things organised and flowing smoothly.
Set up a small area in your kitchen, like the counter or island, where your children can comfortably do their homework. Stock it with basic supplies, such as pencils, paper, and a calculator, so they have everything they need on hand. This space lets you supervise their work while preparing dinner, creating an organised environment that encourages productivity.
Optimise Your Meal Prep and Storage System
With busy school schedules, meal prepping is a lifesaver, helping you plan ahead and serve healthy meals quickly. An organised kitchen will make meal prep more efficient and reduce stress during the week. Start by grouping similar items together in your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Create specific zones for breakfast items, snacks, and meal-prep ingredients.
Hang a whiteboard or chalkboard in the kitchen to track meal plans, grocery lists, and any prep tasks that need to be done. This helps keep everyone informed and reduces the risk of missing ingredients during the week.
The back-to-school season can be a hectic time, but with an organised kitchen, you can reduce stress and create a smooth daily routine. Setting up lunch-packing stations, snack zones, and optimising your meal prep systems will save you time and energy, allowing you to focus on what truly matters, spending time with your family and ensuring they have healthy meals throughout the week.
Connect with our design team to learn about these internals and other kitchen design essentials or visit us in our showroom in Al Barsha 1 on Sheikh Zayed Road.
