When you have a family, any home design choice is made considering practicality first and aesthetics second. You need to be able to fit all the kitchen items and appliances you have, make sure that the space is fully functional, and you can cook or prepare any dish you want, all without compromising on the looks of your kitchen. After all, you want a space that still feels inviting and welcoming.
However, it’s not easy to have everyone’s needs in mind. Finding a design that fits everyone’s needs can be challenging, but it’s not an impossible task. Here are some of the things you should check off your list before you decide on the best improvements that’ll make your kitchen your family’s favourite spot in the house.
Straightforward design
The first and most important thing when you’re thinking of changing up your kitchen is to choose the best cabinets and cupboards. They need to provide sufficient space to fit everything. After all, a larger family means you need more plates, glasses, cutlery pieces and so on. You need sufficient space in your kitchen to comfortably accommodate everything. Trying to squeeze everything into a few drawers means you’ll have a harder time locating specific items when needed. You don’t want everything you do in the kitchen to be time-consuming, so make sure your kitchenware is stored properly.
When it comes to design, shaker kitchens pass with flying colours. This timeless design will never run out of style, so you don’t have to worry about replacing it with the newest trend every few seasons. You don’t want to waste any money when you’re a parent. You know it could be better spent someplace else. Few things consume cash as regular interior design shifts. But when you choose the shaker style, you can be sure you won’t feel the need to change anything for quite a long while.
Another advantage of the shaker kitchen is that its uncomplicated, classic design is also very easy to use and clean. With kids running around, it’s not unsurprising that you’d struggle to keep things neat and orderly. The traditional shaker design emphasises simplicity and is entirely devoid of inlays, carvings and veneers. Even metal pulls were considered to be too ornamental. While things are much different today, and there’s a broader variety in the designs, some things have stayed the same, and the shaker style is still primarily associated with a more minimalist aesthetic.
This is good news when you have to clean. Not having to wipe down every nook and cranny means you’re going to finish much faster. You also won’t have to interact as much with the hash chemicals in cleaning products. This is particularly important if you have small children, given how they can be a potential health hazard. The shaker kitchen can also be arranged in a layout that guarantees children aren’t going to become injured if they run around and play.
Use an island
An island is a must-have item in a family kitchen. While many might consider it a waste of space, it’s an indispensable item when there are more of you in the home. It has many uses and can really make your kitchen a multipurpose room. Not only is it helpful in meal-prepping when you need to have a lot of ingredients, pots and pans lying around, but it is also a great place to gather everyone and share a relaxing meal together. Depending on the size of your island, you can also make it the centre of your dinner parties.
For the kids, it can also be one of the best places in the house to study or do homework. If you’ve been thinking that you’re not spending enough time together as a family, this can be the perfect solution. Your children can finish homework and school projects while you’re finishing dinner preparations. Get them a healthy snack in the meantime, and you can spend some time chatting about how your day went.
Much like utilitarian furniture, islands are also easy to clean with a simple wet cloth, so you don’t have to worry that any spillage is going to leave a permanent stain.
Different heights
Everyone has a different height in a large family, and it’s essential to keep this aspect in mind when coming up with kitchen design ideas. You want your kitchen to be easy to use by all members of your family. While in the food prep zone, the best choice is to pick something appropriate for the height of the family member doing most of the cooking. Other surfaces should be of different sizes.
For instance, if you have a baby, you may discover that you need to make your dining table breakfast bar high in order to accommodate the baby’s chair. If you have enough room, you can design an adjoining part of the island to be at a lower level. This can become the perfect area that takes away some of the formality of the dining area. It’s also a great way to create a quaint spot where you can spend quality time as a family, playing tabletop games or just having a pleasant conversation.
Appliance safety
When you become a parent, safety becomes one of your main concerns. And while it’s important not to coddle your children too much, as allowing them to have experiences builds character and confidence, you also don’t want to think that they may ever be in danger. Kitchen appliances are some of the things in your home that can be potentially dangerous to your children, depending on age.
For instance, you might want to replace your gas stove with an induction cooktop. The advantage of the latter is that it uses no flame, and the surface remains cool during cooking. Some models also come equipped with safety locks, so you don’t have to worry about them being used by the children in your absence.
Sink cupboards are generally used to store hazardous cleaning fluids and should therefore be locked appropriately, so children don’t have access to them. If you want to take safety a step further, you can store these items in higher cupboards, which are out of reach for children.
Creating a living space that’s both safe and welcoming for your entire family can be a bit of a challenge. But with a little careful planning, it’s perfectly obtainable.
