How MasterChef's Nicolette Stathopoulos Makes the Most of Her Small Kitchen

When you love cooking, having a kitchen that works for you makes all the difference. And while a large kitchen island and plenty of bench space might be on the wish list, a smaller kitchen can still be incredibly functional with the right fixtures and a little planning.

Former MasterChef contestant Nicolette Stathopoulos knows this well. Living in an apartment, she's had to think carefully about how she uses her kitchen, choosing products that make preparing meals, cooking and cleaning up easier without taking up unnecessary space.

As part of our At Home with Nicolette series, we visited her apartment to see how she's used Buildmat products to create a kitchen that suits the way she cooks.

A Kitchen Designed Around the Way You Cook

For Nicolette, cooking has always been about bringing people together.

"Food is one of those harmonious things that everyone can kind of get around," she says. "It's that cooking for your loved ones and then watching them eat it and enjoy it and being around them, is something that I love doing."

Naturally, her kitchen gets plenty of use. That's why she's particularly mindful of choosing fixtures and accessories that will work for her over the long term.

"I'm very much of the theory buy it once, buy it right."

It's an approach we often discuss with customers at Buildmat. When you're planning a new kitchen or renovating an existing one, it's easy to focus on cabinetry, benchtops and finishes. But it's just as important to think about the fixtures you'll use every day.

Your kitchen sink and kitchen mixer, for example, need to suit the way you prepare food, wash dishes and move around the space. Getting these decisions right from the beginning can make everyday tasks much easier.

Why Nicolette Chose a Double Bowl Kitchen Sink

Of all the fixtures in her kitchen, Nicolette says her double bowl sink is one of the most important.

"I would not be able to be cooking as much as I'm cooking in this apartment if I didn't have the double sink."

With limited space available, having two separate bowls allows her to manage different tasks at the same time.

She can wash herbs and vegetables in one bowl while keeping the other available for draining pasta. After cooking, she uses one side to wash dishes and the other to drain larger pots and pans.

For someone who regularly prepares meals from scratch, this flexibility can be a life-saver. 

Pictured: Alma Fleur 813x483 Gloss White Fireclay Double Bowl Sink

Is a Double Bowl Sink a Good Choice for a Small Kitchen?

One of the questions we often help customers work through is whether to choose a single or double bowl kitchen sink, particularly when bench space is limited.

There's no single answer that works for every kitchen. A large single bowl sink can be a practical option if you frequently wash oversized pots, baking trays and chopping boards. A double bowl sink, on the other hand, gives you two separate areas for washing, rinsing and food preparation.

Nicolette's kitchen is a good example of why a double bowl configuration can be worthwhile, even in a smaller space. Before choosing, we recommend checking your available cabinet width, the dimensions of each bowl and how much surrounding bench space you'll have.

It's also worth considering how you use your kitchen. If you're regularly juggling food preparation and washing up, having two bowls may be more useful than having one larger bowl.

The Benefits of a Pull-Out Kitchen Mixer

Alongside her double bowl sink, Nicolette uses a pull-out kitchen mixer with two water flow settings.

"The pull-out mixer that I've got really helps," she explains. "It's got the feature you can toggle [for different spray types]."

The extendable hose allows her to direct water around the sink, making it easier to rinse fresh produce, clean larger cookware and wash down the sides of the bowl.

She says it's particularly helpful when she's needs to clean around the edges of the sink.

Pictured: Alma Mira Brushed Brass Gold Pull Out MKII Mixer

When Is a Pull-Out Kitchen Mixer Worth Considering?

We often recommend looking at pull-out kitchen mixers when customers want greater flexibility around the sink.

Unlike a fixed spout, a pull-out mixer allows you to move the spray head closer to whatever you're washing. This can be particularly handy for deep sinks, double bowl configurations and kitchens where large pots and pans are used regularly.

Plenty of models also feature multiple spray settings, allowing you to switch between a standard stream and a wider spray.

When choosing a pull-out mixer, it's worth checking the spout height, hose reach, available clearance and compatibility with your sink.

If you're planning a kitchen renovation, we recommend choosing your sink and mixer together so you can be confident they'll work well as a combination.

How a Sink Roll Mat Helps Save Bench Space

Another product Nicolette uses regularly is her sink roll mat. Designed to sit across the top of a compatible kitchen sink, a roll mat provides an additional surface for draining washed produce, dishes and cookware.

"I use the roll mat to pop on top maybe a big pot overnight if I'm drying it, or if I'm washing fruit and veg, I'll pop them on top to drain off rather than wasting another tea-towel."

She also uses it to air-dry glassware, allowing excess water to drain directly into the sink. It's a relatively small kitchen accessory, but one that can be a great addition in apartment kitchens or any small kitchen where bench space is valuable.

Pictured: Zander Roll Mat in Brass Gold

Why We Recommend Considering Kitchen Sink Accessories Early

When customers are choosing a kitchen sink, we always encourage them to look at the accessories available for that particular model.

Products such as dish racks and drainboards, chopping boards and sink roll mats can help make the sink area more functional, especially when space is limited.

The important thing is to check compatibility before purchasing. Roll mats come in different sizes, so you'll need to make sure the dimensions suit your sink.

Creating a Kitchen That Works for You

One of the things we love about Nicolette's kitchen is that every fixture has been chosen with a clear purpose.

Her double bowl sink gives her the flexibility to prepare food and clean up at the same time. Her pull-out mixer makes washing and rinsing easier, while her roll mat provides additional drying space when she needs it.

Together, these products help create a more efficient workflow without requiring a larger kitchen.

As Nicolette explains, having the right setup means she doesn't need to rely on additional draining mats or use multiple tea towels throughout the day.

It's something we encourage all our customers to think about when planning a kitchen. Rather than choosing fixtures based on appearance alone, consider how you'll use them throughout a typical day.

Do you cook regularly? Do you often wash large pots and pans? Would an extra sink bowl be helpful, or would you prefer one large bowl? Could accessories help you make better use of the space you already have?

These are the questions that can help you choose products that suit your home.

Shop Nicolette's Kitchen

Inspired by Nicolette's kitchen? Explore the collections featured in her home:

• Double bowl kitchen sinks: Two separate bowls for food preparation, washing and draining.

• Pull-out kitchen mixers: An extendable spray head with different water flow settings for easier rinsing and cleaning.

• Sink roll mats: A convenient draining surface that sits over the sink and can be rolled away when not in use.
  

Let Buildmat Help Guide Your Renovation

If you're planning your own kitchen renovation, our team can help you compare sink sizes, configurations, finishes and compatible accessories.

 Book an appointment at the Buildmat Selection Centre to see selected products and finishes in person. If you're outside Melbourne, call us on 1300 123 122 or email [email protected] for assistance.

Related reads:

• Small Kitchen Ideas: 10 Ways to Make Every Centimetre Work Harder

• Single Bowl vs Double Bowl Sink: Which Is Right for You?

• The Complete Guide to Kitchen Sinks