Who doesn’t like having a well-organized and well-equipped chef’s kitchen? This allows us to prepare delicious meals and not get lost between pots and pans. While we may fall in love with different kitchen appliances and décor we see in magazines and online, we can’t help but be completely mesmerized by kitchens we see on TV. Modern kitchens designed specifically to suit every need of professional cooks are dreamy and perfect, and you can create the exact same space in your own home, and feel like a chef from one of the cooking shows.

Make the most of what you have

First of all, you’ll probably want to make your kitchen bigger and more spacious. While it sounds like a good plan, it’s going to cost you a fortune, so it might be better to work with what you already have and make the most of the existing space. A chef-style kitchen doesn’t have to be as big as an average living room, and with some careful planning, you can even work within the footprint of your existing kitchen. It’s not about the size of your kitchen as much as it is about its layout.

Every Chef’s Kitchen Needs A Good Set Of Knives

Giving a lot of money for a wood block packed with knives sounds like an easy way to get all the knives you need, but a real chef already knows which knives they need, and they won’t settle for low-quality ones. If you’re looking for pro equipment, you’ll need a chef’s knife for pretty much everything: chopping, dicing, and cutting. There should also be a slicing knife which makes carving meat and slicing fruit and vegetables seem like a piece of cake. A utility knife with a 4- to 6-inch blade is also necessary for a chef’s kitchen, as well as a small knife with a plain edge blade called a parer. When buying knives, look for those made of forged steel because these are sturdier, easily sharpened, and they also resist bending.

Coveted countertops

A counter is where every chef does most of their work, and in a way, it’s a chef’s workhorse. Still, there is so much counter space in every home that just isn’t necessary and that could be used in a different way. You need to have adequate countertops to prepare and serve food. This is the reason why chefs love kitchen islands – they add a great deal of functionality and allow you to use the space better. You’ll be able to prepare food while your friends, family, and guests sit by, socialize, and relax. Choose surfaces such as soapstone or quartz because these require minimal upkeep.

Bamboo cutting boards

Cutting meat, fruit, and vegetables on your counter is not wise because your knives will damage it severely, and when opting for cutting boards, you can skip the maple ones because these will be easily scarred. If you want a serious cutting board worthy of a real chef, get yourself a bamboo board. These are made to withstand years of hard work and look great. Bamboo naturally resists water penetration, which makes it cleaner, and it’s dense enough to resist knife scarring, too. Even though these boards are so durable and handy, you shouldn’t put them in the dishwasher because heat and soapy water will damage it.

Work zones

A common layout in a chef’s kitchen is a so-called “kitchen work triangle” where you strategically place the refrigerator, prep area, and cooking zone close to each other. A good idea is to have a container on the counter where you can store all the utensils that you use all the time, like spatulas and wooden spoons. If possible, have two trash cans in your kitchen: place one by the prep area the other one under the sink. You could place a good dishwasher next to the sink so you can rinse your plates and cups before putting them in for a washing.

With cooking shows gaining in popularity every day, it’s only natural that people start looking up to chefs and dream about having their own perfect kitchens to cook in. Today, people want kitchens worthy of professional chefs, but it’s not always about sleek spaces crammed with high-tech gadgets. If you’re hoping to create a kitchen worthy of a chef, aim for a highly functional space instead of a gadget-filled one.