Top 5 Tips for Planning a Family Kitchen

When designing a new kitchen, it is important to take everyone else’s needs into account. For family homes, it involves having an adaptable space that can fit your requirements and those of your children, both when they're kids and grown-ups. This also applies to newly-wed couples who are currently designing a family kitchen. 

The kitchen is not only a place to cook and eat, but it is also a sociable place to gather, do homework, and spend time with the family. So, with that in mind, here are 5 design tips to help you plan your ideal family kitchen.

1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT LAYOUT

   
   Finding the right layout is essential for any kitchen. The ideal layout centers the environment you preferred for your kitchen. If you would like to create a child-free zone, a peninsula or U-shaped kitchen that closes access at one end is ideal as this will keep families clear off the area. Restricting the in-and-out passage of the kitchen also can increase safety in a household. However, if you prefer a family-centered space, an open-plan arrangement with an L-shaped or island layout that flows into a living area is the best option. With this layout, the family can have free access to the kitchen, creating a friendly environment.

   
   

2. CREATE A SAFE PREP AND COOK AREA

   
   Almost all families prefer an open kitchen. If you do, it is important to notify your designer about this, along with details on how many people are living in your household. Furthermore, you should include the ages of all children, your favorite cooking styles, and the regular cook to your designer’s knowledge. This will help them plan a pleasant and secure working environment for everyone. For example, if you want a kitchen that allows teenagers to access the refrigerator and microwave easily, it's better to have these appliances installed on the periphery of the kitchen, so they're within easy reach but safe from the cooking area.

3. DECIDE HOW YOU'LL USE AN ISLAND

   
   When you have a space for an island, think carefully about how you are going to use it. For example, an island with seats can make the kitchen more multifunctional. It will become a place to eat, study, and do homework. You can also make use of the island to relax by having a glass of wine when the children have gone to bed. The induction cooktop on the island makes it more sociable and enables children to watch and learn from their parents. In this kitchen, the sink is on the perimeter behind the cooktop, but it is staggered to the right. This allows you to confirm the safety of an area before you begin to do anything, especially when there is a presence of children.

4. INCLUDE WORK SURFACES OF DIFFERENT HEIGHTS

   
   At the food preparation zone, you can opt to tailor the height of the working surface to the person who is always in charge of the kitchen. This allows comfort and a sense of familiarity with the person. For example, an island countertop would be too low to place a baby's high chair underneath, while a breakfast bar may be the perfect height. The breakfast bar could also accommodate older children on stools and they can utilize it as a place to do their homework. 

5. CONSIDER THE SAFETY OF YOUR APPLIANCES

   
   The most important thing for a family kitchen is safety. Extra care is required whenever children and kitchen appliances are together. You should pay extra attention to choosing the most suitable appliance for your kitchen. For example, induction ranges are suitable for families with children because, unlike a gas stove, they do not produce any flame and the surface remains cool during cooking. Some are also built with the necessary safety locks. 

   
   This also means that you need to lift and raise the ovens to an adult’s eye-level to prevent those little fingers of your children from reaching it. This also works well for adults, as it saves them from bending down their bodies. Wine refrigerators and cupboard doors can be locked, while sink cabinets should be secured to refrain access from hazardous cleaning fluids.