I was thinking, and perhaps we could get a Kitchenette object added to our houses? it could be crafted or purchased. It would basically be a large immovable container where we could put all our cooking tools. Then we can stand near / activate it and get access to everything we put in there. If you don't have a saucepan, you can't make sauces. But once you buy the saucepan and skill, standing in front of it would allow you access to the tool.
It would add to our houses and free up some inventory.