When planning a new kitchen, it is important to consider the requirements of everyone who will use it. For family homes, this means having an adaptable space that can meet your needs and those of your children, both when they are young and when they become teenagers.
This is just as important for anyone planning a kitchen and hoping to have children in the future.
A kitchen isn’t just a place to cook and eat, it’s also a social space to gather, do homework, and just spend time together as a family. So, with that in mind, here are some design suggestions to assist you in creating your ideal family kitchen.
Getting the design right is essential for any kitchen, but your best possible design depends on whether you have (or intend to have) children.
The ideal design also depends on the type of environment you want for your kitchen. If you’re interested in a child-free zone, a peninsula or U-shaped kitchen that closes off access at one end is ideal.
This will keep family members out of the area and off your feet. In a busy home, restricting traffic in and out of the kitchen in this way can be safer during cooking.
If you prefer to have a bustling, family-focused space, the best option is an open-plan arrangement with an L-shaped or island layout that flows into a living room. With this type of distribution, the family can freely access the kitchen, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Here are some things to consider as you plan your kitchen design layout.
| Reduce traffic | The kitchen is a workstation and you should always consider every option to reduce traffic into the main work spot. You can create any space before you get into the kitchen such as a mudroom to prevent chaos. The primary pathway into the kitchen should be hazard free. |
| Comfortable distance between the main fixtures | This is also important for work efficiency in the kitchen. You certainly would not desire the stove to be across the room from the sink. |
| Strategic placement of the kitchen island | Your kitchen island top should also create more workspace. Hence, its strategic placement is extremely essential from the work efficiency perspective. It should not block the area in front of the major appliances and should not be placed too far. |
| Place your sink first | You must place the sink and then design it from there onwards. It is a good thumb rule for kitchen designs |
Many families prefer an open and sociable kitchen. If so, it’s important for your designer to know this, along with details like how many people live in your home, the ages of the children, your family’s preferred cooking styles, and who usually cooks. This will help them plan a safe and comfortable work environment that suits everyone.
For example, if you want teens to have access to the refrigerator or microwave, place these items on the kitchen’s outskirts, where they’ll be easy to reach but away from the cooking area.
Similarly, a kitchen island with seating at the far end will allow you to keep an eye on small children while you cook, but also safely separate them from the hazards of the food preparation and cooking area.
If you have room for an island, think about the different ways you want to use it. An island with seats, for example, makes the kitchen more versatile. It becomes a place to eat, study, do homework… or for parents to have a glass of wine once the children have gone to bed.
An induction cooktop on the island makes it more social and allows the kids to watch and learn while the parents cook.
In a food preparation area, it is best to choose a work surface at a height that is best for the person who cooks most of the time, but it is also worth including work surfaces at different heights.
For example, an island counter would be too low to fit a baby’s high chair under, while a breakfast bar might be the perfect height. A breakfast bar could also accommodate older children on stools and be used for homework.
If there is space, an adjoining part of the island could also be on a lower level to accommodate a more formal family dining room.
Safety is key to a family kitchen and due care is needed when children and appliances come together.
Some types of appliances are safer than others. Induction hobs are ideal for families because, unlike gas hobs, there is no flame and the surface remains cool during cooking. They also have essential security locks.
Opt for appliances that are designed to be comfortable and ease the pressures of family life. Choose a dishwasher that heats to 90 degrees, thus eliminating the need for a separate baby bottle sterilizer.
Similarly, opt for a boiling water tap and a quick cook oven to save time. Also, an induction cooktop cooks much faster than a gas cooktop.
Sticky handprints can be a constant problem with young children. So opt for surfaces and finishes that are less likely to show stains.
Fingerprints are less visible on a matte surface than on a glossy one, and even less so on a textured wood or stone door. So keep this in mind when choosing door and drawer fronts.
When it comes to countertops, look for materials like Corian or quartz, which are stain-resistant and durable (but can also be repaired if broken).
Silestone, on the other hand, is nonporous and antimicrobial, making it a favorite choice among parents of small children.
Storage is especially important in a family kitchen, where you have to find a place for items related to children, such as bottles, sterilizers, baby food, and bibs, as well as any other kitchen utensils.
As your family grows, you’ll also need more food storage, especially if children begin to develop a preference for a greater variety of foods.
Plan your storage so that anything dangerous, like knives, is locked away. Similarly, breakable items like glassware and delicate crockery should be stored high up out of reach.
Plan your kitchen to fit your family’s changing needs. A growing family creates more garbage, so include enough container space in your kitchen plan that is easily accessible. Also, if you’re interested in teaching your kids to recycle, set up a bin system.
Opt for a refrigerator and oven that are large enough to accommodate food for a family of four or more. And also keep in mind enough seating and a table big enough for your growing family, along with room for future school friends or other house guests.
Make sure your kitchen is a fun area for your family to hang out. Include informal seating areas, such as an adjoining breakfast bar or a picnic bench, to encourage people to linger.
Add a few eye-catching accessories to provide vivid pops of color, or try a chalkboard wall, which is handy for shopping lists, reminders, or for kids to practice their spelling. It might even keep them occupied while you’re preparing dinner.
If your current kitchen layout has you frustrated and disorganized, we at White Remodeling will be happy to discuss the possibilities with you. Schedule a call and our team will be in touch with you shortly.
White Remodeling in San Jose has experienced designers and contractors. We know that creating the perfect kitchen for a growing family must be precise, durable, and in accordance with the latest trends.
Such designs refer to classic themes that are simple & subtle and understated. You can have a light white theme for the kitchen and nothing over the top. This will appeal to most people.
You can work out smart storage solutions and that should help to de-clutter the space. You can resort to anything from open shelving to installing ceiling-high cabinets.
In this layout, the fridge & stove, and sink should be in a triangle, and that should enhance work efficiency for the person entrusted with the job of cooking.
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