5 Things to Add to Your Family-Friendly Kitchen Design
While designing a kitchen, it can be easy to get caught up in all the beautiful touches and finishes you want in your space. However, it's important to remember most of your time will be spent cooking, cleaning, and preparing food. The functionality of your kitchen needs to be at the forefront of your mind when creating a family-friendly space. Here are some things you can add or consider when designing your kitchen to make it more family-friendly.
1. Build With Easy-to-Clean Surfaces
An important aspect of any kitchen design is the material of the surfaces. These are the areas that you will be cleaning most often, meaning it's crucial to choose materials that are easy to clean and maintain. Here are some good options:
Stainless steel
Granite
Marble
Avoid these materials:
Wood (e.g., oak, maple) because it can absorb stains from spills or splashes. They're also harder to clean. If you want a wooden countertop anyway, look into a butcher block because it has a coating. Water won't get trapped and create mold or mildew underneath. Also, try to avoid engineered wood like plywood because there's no protection on those surfaces.
Tile because it is harder to clean and stains easily.
2. Make Sure the Pantry is Accessible
The pantry is an important part of the kitchen. It should be accessible, but not in the way. It should be organized, allowing for easy access and flow into the rest of your kitchen. Part of making your pantry accessible is organizing it consistently. Whatever way you decide to organize it, make it easy for kids to reach the things they need and not the things they don’t. Keep it consistent so everyone in the family will always know where things are located.
3. Install A Large Farmhouse Sink.
It's a good idea to install an extra deep or large farmhouse sink. This will allow you to clean more dishes at once and can also be used as a prep area for cooking.
In addition, if you choose not to install a garbage disposal in your kitchen, consider installing an additional sink strainer. This will make cleaning up after family meals much easier and keep your dishwasher free from debris.
4. Add A Pull Out Counter
You should also consider adding a pull-out counter space. This will give your kids a place to work when they help in the kitchen, and it will give you extra counter space when needed without being in the way. The surface should also be sturdy enough to support bowls or hot pots if you're using it as an extended surface for cooking purposes.
The countertop should be easy to clean, especially if you have children who will inevitably spill food on top of it at some point. You'll want something that wipes up easily without leaving marks behind if possible (or at least something that can be washed with soap and water).
5. Organize Regular Use Items and Store Things Safely
A family organization center is a great way to keep the kitchen clean and uncluttered. A system with easy-to-open drawers allows you to store your everyday essentials in an accessible location while keeping everything else out of sight.
If you have little ones helping out in the kitchen, it's important to ensure that sharp knives are stored safely. The best way to do this is by choosing a knife block or magnetic strip for the wall above your sink so that adults can easily reach them when needed.
Don't forget about cleaning supplies! Make sure there's plenty of space in your kitchen for them. Keep them organized by storing disinfecting wipes under the sink or in a cabinet near the sink (so they're always at hand).
These five ideas could give you a good starting point for designing your own kitchen that meets your needs. If you need assistance with a kitchen renovation in the greater Longmont area, call our team at Oriole Home and Design!