4 THINGS THAT ANNOY ME ABOUT NIGERIAN KITCHENS + A SWEET KITCHEN TOUR 

I'm an architect but not so much a kitchen person. I didn't realize how much it meant even though there are some things I'll never do lol. Thanks for this. I'll pay more attention to kitchen design

I couldn't agree more with you...i share the same sentiments. I am zimbabwean but when i watch Nigerian movies it agrevates me to see this gorgeous mansion that has bright lime green cabinets....i even saw one with rainbow colours 🥺😤🤬, i cried, fainted, died and rose again!

I also like a kitchen where people can sit and hang out.

You are so right about Nigerian kitchens. Especially in rentals. The landlord doesn't care if you suffocate in there. 😄😄

I would definitely love this space as a spinster. Even if you're lazy to cook, once you enter that kitchen, inspiration go full ground.

As convenient as buying a house is, that is the only reason why I prefer to build myself so I can decide on what my kicthen looks like

That green kitchen is very patriotic sha, lol. GreenWhiteGreen! Up Naija!

It's sounds funny when you mentioned the bold and mismatched colors but it's real! Indeed women should be consulted when making building and designing the kitchen. I love every second of this video 😍

CHAI! Nigerian builders need to shift priorities to build spacious kitchens and bathrooms

A kitchen should be the heart of the house, it's the room that nourishes your body. That kitchen is beautiful

Same thing in Ghana😫 The kitchens and toilets in rented apartments are just depressing

Finally someone said that which must not be said! Thank you for speaking the mind of all Nigerian women.

Omo, I love this!!!!! my dream house...you CNT be living here and ideas wnt be flowing in your head... But there is restriction of Money..May we not be poor in life

The kitchen is literally a place for socializing & family. I totally agree Sisi! Logical placement, excellent ventilation/lighting, open concept, accessible appliances, etc. Someone should not come & kill themselves in the name of cooking dinner abeg 😂

This is the issue we have here in England. Sometimes I ask myself, what is wrong with people building house here in England. You will a big house with a super tiny kitchen. You will see a house with carpet in the bathroom. You will see kitchen with bathroom inside 😫😫😫🤯🤯🤯 Beautiful kitchen by the way❤️

I feel like everything in relation to Nigeria is big and bold.It’s even reflected in our personalities,the way we talk , the way we eat, the way we party etc 😂.Everything is go big or go home , so I think it’s also reflected in the interior. I’ve also identified that other than the bold colours in the kitchen , in some homes the living room is full of fake gold furniture 😭😭WHY?????.Sometimes simple is elegant , it’s not everyday big and bold.

I feel like a standard kitchen should have a good size island and enough space for appliances and dish/cooking equipment storage.

I agree, it is such a beautiful kitchen. I like the fact that there are also electrical sockets near the countertop where you can make use of your small appliances (e.g blender, juice making etc) and it is far from the sink (water source). One thing I would suggest is the cabinets can also have small knobs attached to it for ease of opening. Overall, nice video Sisi Yemmie.

I feel the same way about our typical Nigerian kitchen,an afterthought that much thought is not given to. I dreamnt about a spacious and bright kitchen with all the appliances in the right places and i am glad i finally got it in our new house. I made sure my husband did what I want,i didn't just want it to be a place to prepare meals but also a place I can hang out and play around

I agreed with you sis yemi. Gone are the days during my courtship with my man I always take a fan to that tiny kitchen then so he vowed if we eventually get married he will build me a big kitchen with a wide ventilation. Wow he literally did it and am greatful to see my office in a big & comfortable way

You need to see my kitchen, lime color. Big windows, 2 doors. Air conditioned. Large refrigerator, cooker/ oven, microwave, juicers etc. Wine cabinet. Only thing I didn’t put in was a kitchen island. My kitchen is situated between my dining room and a living room. I love 💕 it.

As a female architect I really understand the frustration. I am very particular about the detail of each space in the house. Also, being an architect, one will realise that most Nigerians do not appreciate professionals and professionalism, especially when it comes to buildings. It's believed that everyone and any one can do the job. Even when projects are given to architect's to design the construction would be given to quack. We forget that a good design has to follow through in construction also. Clients can be difficult too. They always want to over build on tiny plots especially when its for commercial use or rent.

It’s very true. I agree with you. If you’re not renovating your house then yes, there is no standard requirement for a kitchen size and maximum amount of appliance sockets like ‘the abroad’ which is very wrong.

We really need to work on improving the kitchen situation in Nigeria. Those annoying kitchen colors are cabinets don tire person. I love a big kitchen with plenty of rooms and a big bathroom as well. Infact, I love everything big.

This girl you are my girl. You are absolutely right. No consideration at all for the most important room in the house.

Sisiyemi, I blame those who rents such apartment. When I was house hunting in Abuja, I was very choosy & didn’t settle on anything.

Sisi Yemmie you literally spoke my mind. What annoys me the most is how stuffy the kitchen gets when cooking because they aren't well ventilated.

It’s good you raised this important issue.As an architecture student It will be great if kitchen designs are put into detail. Standards should be the core basis to determine the sizes of spaces in a building.Thanks for raising this issue🙏🏾💕

Omooo the way these numbers are skyrocketing ehn. Road to 1m this year o

You’re so right about this! Kitchens appear to be afterthoughts in most Nigerian buildings. I remember asking a developer why and the reason given was so shocking to me - that after all it’s the maids and other house helps that’ll be using it!!!

A standard kitchen should have 2 big windows. Counter top space for kitchen appliances. A sizeable pantry then maybe an island. It should be as big as other rooms in the house.

The only things that caught my eye were the throws on the couches... lovely. You need throws, I'm your plug

I hate when there isn't enough natural light entering the kitchen. Dark spaces discourage me, it's no wonder I don't cook so often.

Jolla must have watched your vlog... If you have the money you can build the kitchen you desire. My aunt's kitchen is so big, it has 2 dining tables aside the dining room, a big lounge chair for relaxing, TV, a store and 2 standard AC with proper ventilation.

Sisi Yemmie this Kitchen thing is deeper than you think. I remember watching a stage play called "Hear Word" some years back and remember a line from that play where someone said, " Go and ask your mother why the kitchen is at the back of the house". To me it more cultural. Some cultures don't see women as important so one of the most important places for woman is built as an after thought ( that's not to say men don't cook) However, in this part of the world most women do the cooking! People should build things with women in mind. Architects and Engineers especially. I told my siblings recently, when I am ready to build my house, I will sit with an architect and design my kitchen the way I want. During house hunting my siblings were tired of me lol, cause the first thing I look at is the kitchen. If it isn't big or spacious I don't take. Luckily we found a place with a moderate and nice kitchen. Some of us are lucky to afford good apartments with moderate/big kitchen however, that's not the story of the average Nigerians. We need to do better and ensure kitchens are condusive!!!

Chai the kitchen make sense. Here in Nigeria most people don't really value how kitchen should look,it matters ooo. I mean the kitchen is a main room in the house ni

The problem is there's no strict and proper building standard regulations in Nigeria, everyone just build whatever they like, another annoying part about the way we build houses is no gardens, no garage or eco friendly environment.

Sisi Yemmie, this is 💯. You're speaking my mind. And yea, I like the interior of this.

Sisi hit the nail on the head. Nigerian Kitchens need a lot of work. That's one place in my house I can't negotiate on. Glad I had the opportunity to design mine😊😊😊

there is actually a systematic way to designing every space in the house. As an architect...designing any space for any client will involve understanding what each space is going to be used for including the kitchen. The challenge is ...most kitchens aren't designed by owners...they might be rented apartments and the truth is that our system here...many rent out housing for the purpose of making a profit...many don't bother if it meets the deeper needs of being in a kitchen or any other space. If it is purpose-built and still does not meet the owner's needs...then ask the owner...who designed the house for them?...what level was their input in the design and planning process....was the woman/the end-user involved or considered in the space requirements especially the kitchen in this case.

I am with you on this one Sisi Yemi. I did a house floor plan for my architect in Nigeria and during our initial conversation I figured out the kitchen is an after thought. I asked where the North of the building will be (for sunlight) so as to position the rooms and kitchen in the house adequately.... He wasn't thinking of these things at all. As much as he learnt from me, I also learnt there are regulations in Nigeria which in some cases gives limitations. I told him I want the windows in a certain place because of placement of my bed and furniture... He laughed and said wow! ....It's not about being extra, these things are essential in a design build. Another thing I don't get is that most rooms in Nigeria houses struggle with lighting. In a country that struggles with constant electricity and has natural light for more than 12 hours/day, how can this not be an advantage? IDK 🤔

The shout at the color of the kitchen makes my rib cracking with laughter. Hahahaha

I agree with you 100%, women should design the kitchen ( I've always said that during many conversations) or even the house. A poorly designed kitchen is a deal breaker for me.

Sometimes I feel like knocking off my kitchen window because it so high

U hv valid points but i think for colour its a thing if choice. I used purple for kitchen and is so beautiful

Very correct. Thanks for helping us talk abt it. When searching for an apartment d kitchen is the first thing I look out for cos I spend more time in d kitchen cos its wat I luv doing. It can b so so annoying wen u see some.

That screaming sound effect is hilarious

Oh my word ur so right😂😂😂 im a south african married to a nigeria... i always feel like im in some nursery school whenever im in my sister inlaws mansions, beautiful houses buþ the colours, order and ventilation🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ i asked my husband for permision to be part of our own mansion from the architecture side to the finishing and mahn they all wana renovate 😂

I totally agree with you jare. they build houses in Nigeria as if the kitchen is an after thought. most houses i have stayed has annoying kitchen. Broken cupboards, bad wood that termite will eat up after like 6 month of living in. infact its plenty

Very unique and sophisticated space! Real modern design👌🏾😍🙌🏾

I agree with all that you are bringing to the fore except for your personal reservation for popping colours..I loooove the pooping colours.it is therapeutic for me and helps with the tiredness of kitchen work and cooking it doesn't have to be the simple white and brown meeehn .it's my personal taste.Colours that are ministering😁😁😁😁😁

I’m an Architect. If you need a functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen design, I’m here for you. Oh I design houses too😊😊

Sisi Yemmie, I completely understand your frustration! Nigerian architects need to do a better job in home design. I get it if the kitchen is small because cooking and food isn't important. But that's not the case in Nigeria. Food is so very important to Nigerians especially the men. It's one of the main things that bring people together. These male Nigerian architects need to do a better job building beautiful, functional kitchens! They shouldn't blame anyone if the food doesn't come out tasty in a ugly, rubbish kitchen. I always love your food! You're my go-to person for delicious Nigerian food recipes. 😄

Finally someone is speaking my mind. I see those kind of disappointing kitchens especially in Nigerian movies. You see a really beautiful mansion with a good exterior and living room but when you see the kitchen, it's so disappointing. For such a big beautiful house I see in Nollywood movies, I usually get disappointed in their bedroom and especially kitchen design

I think a standard kitchen should have sufficient cupboards, pantry, space for fridge, space for microwave, space for an oven if it’s not attached to the cooker, a cooker, a spacious space to keep my cooker. A long island and window is a must have and obviously coloured in white, grey or brown. Any colour asides this is a big no.

Nigerian landlords are more interested in building two houses in a land portion allocated for one house hence no consideration to proper dimensions of rooms and especially kitchen. Only when you build your own can you get a roomy and well designed kitchen.

Oh my! Thank you very much for saying this... Where can we broadcast this rant. Architects/home designers need to hear this.

I don’t think the cabinets are mostly bad in Nigerian kitchens besides in my experience, it’s always better to play with colours, neutral or not. Even the model you’re showing isn’t a single colour and the all white kitchen is becoming a thing of the past. I do agree with you on size and ventilation though.

Hello Sisi Yemi. It is not just kitchen. It seems that most people in construction business in Nigeria lack creativity. Yes. This includes those involve in multi million naira houses. I am building a small bungalow in Nigeria. The architectural designs shows an open floor design for the kitchen, dinning and the living room. Even though I have an engineer supervising the building which I have since fired. It appears that they only look at the design during foundation and then forget it exists. the windows sizes are mismatched. The bathrooms were too small. You break and rebreak and eventually you just give up. It is frustrating. I am at the tilling stage and was looking for a house that probably will have good wall tilling in the kitchen and bathroom, and the bathroom floor that I can ask the artisan to duplicate.

sisiyemi that's true our kitchens here ehmm... is just something else i love kitchen with space where you can also hang out ,very airy that good ventilation , beautifull settings too. well i think only when you get to build your own house .you can do that.

Absolutely right not only in Nigeria ohh Ghana too the same. I personally love a clean kitchen and well ventilated one.

Definitely I agree, only a woman knows what a functional kitchen should look like.

"Standards" is a word that does not exist in the Nigerian vocabulary.

Thank you jare you really hit the nail, haba, kitchens are becoming a semi hell fire here in Nigeria ha!

You have said it All I don't a reason why nigerian kitchen will be mix with different color but think Nigeria are now have time of a modern kitchen

This is one of the reason I went into interior design. So much mix match in our Nigerian homes , too many patterns and over vibrant colors. I’m putting in the work and hopefully in the next few years I will be able execute beautiful interior design for average people.

I thought it was only me! My architect only put one window! It was too late by the time I noticed thank God its my village home ! Though I would have wanted more windows🤷🏿‍♀️

I'm single and I'll love that space. So cozy 😍

You spilled my mind on Naija kitchens. Some of them leave me speechless.

I love that house so sweet. You are right with Nigerian's kitchen. God will help us. Well done.

Thank you so much for arranging my thoughts for me on this kitchen thing. I have been ranting all my life tbh. The way it is an afterthought... and I didn't realise how badly ventilated kitchens were till I moved to a hot city.

Nothing beats an open plan kitchen, overlooking a lounge area, with large windows that would bring in natural light, plenty of ventilation, enough cabinetry for storage. Top grade appliances, fridge freezer, dishwasher, double oven, stove burner/cooker with hod extractor.

I can't help but agree with you. The kitchen is the heart of the home for me and that is always 1st thing I look out for in a house.

Your rant is 100% valid! You are right, most nigerian kitchens are an after thought. it's obvious in some, because even the tiles used are left overs from other parts of the house. Zero consideration for how a kitchen should look or function yet it is supposed to be d most important room in a home.

I am an Architect and I usually pay more attention to the kitchen probably because I am a lady and I love to cook so I can relate to the importance of a well designed kitchen

Wow... Money is sweet fa... This is beautiful.. I love kitchen as this...spacious and well calculated

Spot on. I think you hinted on the main issue. People that design these kitchens don't cook. That's the main wahala. Ventilation is key. Also many times when you are cooking you want people around, but naija kitchen no go give you island design.. Never.

Yes o. This is a proper kitchen for d space it could use a prep island on wheels

So true about Nigerian Kitchens, spot on! but what's with a washing machine under the stirs🙄.. Bad to badder!

IT'S NOT ONLY BOYS THAT LIKE BETTER THING, THANK YOU MA'AM you are making sense on this channel

I like a kitchen with lots of natural or LED light and wide windows. A large island, neutral tiles/cabinet. Marble counter tops. Ven etc

You are right dear. Do more of this video.

Am sharing this video to every architect I know.This is my complain too.thanks

Happy Wednesday have a peaceful day everyone!🙏🏾🙌🏾✨💛

That is a beautiful space. I like a minimalist kitchen that is spacious and properly ventilated.

I've always told my husband, just put up a structure for me and forget the interior structure. I'm tired of not only kitchen but sizes of rooms. I'm going for large open kitchen when the structure is done (he has not even started🤣 )

Also I have seen blue kitchens that look so beautiful

I totally agree, if more women were actually involved in the planning or even consulted when building a house ( kitchen), it wouldn't be so bad.

You are so right about kitchen being spacious..by the ways your hair and make up are on point

Of course I will love dis kind of space

Yes in Dubai there are kitchens in a house without a ventilation ,like u sad u air conditioner and exteriors is been used and u pay a very huge amount for rent monthly.

Wow the kitchen is so unique

Yes ooo. As a Single lady I really would love to own this. So Comfy and well compacted

I am not from Nigeria, but I love those kitchen with the bold red, yellow and orange color. They are so unique to me.

Hello Sis Yemi, you are always on point, let me say that this house is beautiful and standard because professionals were involved from onset if am right' I am a Registered Builder but here in Nigeria , we are still working tirelessly, creating awareness all over the states to be recognize and educate Nigerians on the important of engaging professionals on their building project which can't be over emphasis, because only few Nigerians understand this. Am grateful for the just concluded 2nd Edition of Builders' day program organised by the Council of registered Builder of Nigeria CORBON and the Nigeria institute of buding NIOB. Tghe government and other construction stakeholder also support us all over the 36 states of the country this March 2021 with enlightened activities that can't be listed here for space, all to kick out quackery and safe our dear nation Build right! No more building collapse! Save life and property engage registered Builder!! (Bldr)

Exactly, kitchens built by men for women. The place we spend a lot of our time.It says it all. In all the places i have lived in, the area and the kitchen were always important in my decision.

Yes o. I like better things. The space is beautiful 😍

Say it Sisi for the people at the back . It's all about placing ones priority right. Nija doesn't understand the work done in the kitchen One spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it should be Plain and Peaceful it could be white and Chrome Nice place dear.

When it comes to getting a decent kitchen its a serious issue, I'm a quantity surveyor and i almost lost a job cos of how i paid serious details to the finishing of the kitchen. My client kept saying the kitchen shouldn't be too comfortable if not food will be getting burnt always. We went back and forth until we both gave in something.

Sisi I share your frustration. I think its as a result of property owners opting for cheaper labour for their building. Also a lot of the builders not professionals, one person is a maison, tiler, painter etc. So how do you expect such a person to do a good job?