My kitchen is getting a makeover: 5 clever IKEA finds I'm buying from $4

If you think pink kitchen cabinets are a step too far (I nearly did it!), you can still add a touch of pink to your room. I'll be keeping these light pink mugs on an open shelf in my kitchen, rather than behind a closed cabinet. What’s more, if you like the design, you can buy matching items, including an 18-piece dinner set for $69.

Fed up with scrambling through your refrigerator or cabinets to find that sauce? A Lazy Susan is the perfect solution for easy storage. The spinning turntable rotates to make it easier to grab that jar of pickles that’s stuck at the back. I'm going to add IKEA's version to my refrigerator, but this clever gadget works equally well in other kitchen storage scenarios.

I love grinding fresh peppercorns over my meals, but I daren't put my current grinder on the table. So, when I spotted this striking salt-and-pepper milling set at IKEA, it had to go into my basket. Who said functional couldn’t be fun? The striking vertical black-and-white design will make a statement on your countertop, and at under $15, I think it's one of the reasons people love shopping at IKEA.

I never manage with small chopping boards, so this large butcher's block is perfect for chopping large quantities of fruits and vegetables. The bamboo board measures 17 ¾ x 14 ¼ x 1 ¼," and has a groove running around the edge to stop juices from spilling onto your countertop. To keep mine looking pristine, I’ll be coating it with food-safe mineral oil to extend its life.

Having swapped my gas cooktop for an induction one, I’ve had to change all my pots and pans to induction-friendly ones. This modern frying pan in blue-grey cast aluminum has two spouts, a non-stick coating and a beautiful rubberwood handle, plus it's compatible with all cooktops. If you’d prefer a larger version, you can opt for the 11-inch pan.