If you are a busy working parent like I am, your evenings are squeezed to fit in cooking dinner, getting school bags sorted, supervising homework, dishes, showers, planning meals ahead… the list goes on.

I love to cook and bake when I have the time to relax and not rush, trying new out recipes or trying to recreate an old favourite dish that I remember from childhood, however I don’t always have the time for that, so I usually leave that for a weekend.

Over the years I’ve slowly collected little kitchen habits that genuinely make everyday life easier. Not because I’m an expert cook or perfectly organised — quite the opposite sometimes — but simply because I love discovering practical ways to make a home feel calmer, more functional and more enjoyable to live in.

Many of these ideas came from trial and error, conversations with others, or small observations that slowly became part of my routine. And often it’s the simplest changes that end up making the biggest difference.

So today I thought I’d answer a few everyday kitchen questions that I’ve found myself asking along the way too:

1. How do you keep potatoes, onions and garlic fresher for longer?

Potatoes, onions and garlic all store best when they have airflow and protection from direct light. Plastic bags and sealed containers tend to trap moisture, which can encourage sprouting and spoilage.

I’ve found breathable vegetable sacks made from natural fibres work beautifully because they allow air to circulate while helping keep vegetables darker and cooler. Stored in a pantry or cupboard, they can noticeably extend freshness while also reducing food waste.

2 What’s the best way to clean potatoes before cooking?

A vegetable brush is one of those simple tools that quickly becomes part of everyday cooking.

Scrubbing potatoes before cooking removes dirt while allowing you to comfortably leave the skin on. Potato skins contain fibre and nutrients, while also adding flavour and texture — especially when roasting or baking.

It’s a small habit, but one that makes preparing vegetables feel easier and less wasteful.

3. Can butter safely stay on the kitchen bench?

For households that use butter regularly, keeping a small amount in a covered butter dish on the bench can make cooking and serving much simpler.

Butter spreads more easily at room temperature and is always ready when needed. The main thing is to keep it covered, out of direct sunlight, and only store an amount that will be used within several days.

4. Where is the best place to store eggs in the fridge?

If you have backyard chickens or buy fresh eggs locally, the middle shelf of the fridge is often better than the fridge door because the temperature remains more stable.

Using a ceramic egg tray also helps protect eggs while allowing airflow and keeping everything neatly organised and easy to access.

A ceramic egg tray is also handy for bringing eggs back to room temperature before baking while preventing them from rolling off the kitchen bench!

5. What should you keep beside the stove while cooking?

One of the easiest ways to simplify meal preparation is creating a small “working zone” near your stovetop or preparation bench.

Keeping frequently used items together — utensils, oils, vinegar, garlic cellar, a spoon rest and a salt pig — reduces unnecessary movement and helps cooking feel calmer and more efficient.

6. Are compost buckets worth having in the kitchen?

I genuinely think so.

Keeping a small compost bucket on the bench makes it easy to collect vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and food offcuts while cooking. Saving yourself multiple trips outside, everything stays contained until you’re ready to empty it.

Whether your scraps go in the green waste bin outside ready for council pick up, or you have your own compost collection for the garden, it’s one of those simple systems that quietly encourages less waste and more thoughtful living.

7. What are some small kitchen habits that make everyday cooking easier?

A few other little habits I’ve grown to love include:

• Storing herbs upright in water to help them last longer
• Keeping frequently used pantry items together in baskets or trays
• Using open bowls for fruit and vegetables so they’re easily seen and used
• Keeping a spoon rest near the stove to reduce mess while cooking

I think the kitchens we enjoy most are rarely the most perfect ones. They’re simply the spaces that support our everyday routines well — where thoughtful little habits help cooking feel slower, easier and more enjoyable.

And often, those small discoveries are the ones most worth sharing.

Happy cooking,