Shanghai flats aren't usually known for luxurious kitchens, but there are plenty of mods you can do to make home-cooking more convenient. Xin Dogterom and Jason Holland, the duo behind Shanghai-based design firm Studio Doho, share some low-budget hacks.
Photograph: M2 Studio, courtesy Studio DOHO
Bear in mind the ‘golden triangle’
‘Arrange the fridge, the stove top or the oven and the sink in a triangle, so you can always be one step away from them.’
Build your own movable counter
Not enough counter space? ‘Find the white IKEA bookcase (the one with four cubes), put a plank of wood on top of it and put some wheels on the bottom and you’re looking at some extra counter space.’
Small appliances are a big thing
‘Investing in small appliances like a blender, a toaster or even a double sink will make your life so much easier. Choose sinks that come with accessories such as vegetable washing baskets or a cutting board.’
Photograph: Beazy via Unsplash
Don’t forget the wall
‘Tired of the boring cheap white tiles? Hang stuff on the walls over the tiles to make it nicer or look on Taobao for other tiles. Alternatively, patch over some water-resistant wallpapers to make an accent wall.’
Opt for an open shelf system
‘If your landlord agrees, remove the doors of the cupboards and get glass jars for your pasta and rice. If you have some pots and pans, install a wall rack, so you can get to them easily while achieving a rustic look.’
Have some plants
‘What actually makes your kitchen really nice is having little herb plants, so you can have fresh herbs as you cook. A lot of people grow their own beansprouts. That directly makes it feel like a space that’s been lived in.’
