Hands up, who else is air fryer obsessed? The must have kitchen gadget of 2022 has been the top of wish lists for many this year, offering an efficient way to cook in times of rising energy bills. We thought we would turn away from talking about kitchen extensions for a moment dive deeper into the smaller details within them.

We have recently talked about ways to increase your homes energy efficiency, with homeowners turning away from traditional appliances and looking for cost saving solutions. We’re going to share some of our top kitchen gadgets and ways to incorporate them into your home designs.

Air fryers offer an alternative to oven cooking, with everything from roast dinners to cakes cooked via the circulation of hot air by its powerful, internal fan. Originally a hit with those looking for a healthy substitute to deep frying, they are significantly cheaper to run than standard electric ovens, requiring less kilowatts per hour and cooking things far quicker. We would suggest for those cooking larger amounts, over longer periods an air fryer may not be your best choice. Ovens work by reaching your desired temperature, which is maintained using a thermostat, whilst that fan in the air fryer needs to be in constant motion.

Microwaves are often a great choice for both speed and energy reduction. Although limited in their use, they have been ranked as one of the lowest energy using appliances. Gone are the days of unattractive appliances demanding counter space, they can be seamless integrated into your kitchen design in several ways. From dedicated cabinetry to strategic mounting, some homeowners recess their microwaves for a flush and flawless finish. At Home Tales no detail is too small when designing your perfect home, we encourage all our clients to think ahead to what fixtures, fittings, and appliances their home needs and let us suggest ways they can be incorporated into your space.

The slow cooker is a staple of hearty winter food and is generally misconceived to be less efficient than they can be. Newer models require just a little more energy than a lightbulb and are on average five times cheaper to power than a conventional oven. They can be great for those with large families or people looking to cut down on kitchen time by batch cooking. We think storage is absolutely key to any kitchen design, when extending you can add valuable space to tuck away appliances and keep counter space clear and clean. With the added floor space, the addition of an island creates the perfect opportunity to store gadgets and gizmos, as well as creating extra surface area for prep. Others chose to place a functional utility such as a hob or sink on an island, these examples beautifully demonstrate the benefits of this added space.  

Drying clothes in the winter months can be difficult, particularly with many avoiding the costs associated with tumble dryers. When considering the location of laundry appliances (a washer, dryer, heated or standard clothes horse) you will need to consider access to both plumbing and electricity. To avoid mildew and mould ventilation is also key, you’ll need a ventilation fan or window nearby. We’ve got some great ideas on the best places to hide your washer and dryer, it’s always key to factor these sometimes-overlooked elements into your plans to avoid a headache once renovations are complete.

If you’re interested in talking to our expert design and planning team, you can call us on 0207 043 2378 or email us at hello@hometales.co.uk. Alternatively, you can head to our live diary to book a completely free consultation to talk through your home improvement project.