Plan A Kitchen That Handles Everything from Homework & Play to Family Dinner

The kitchen will always be our favourite room in the house. It’s where fresh, healthy food and warm conversation are shared, providing the perfect place to catch up with loved ones – every experience shared as a family strengthens those tight bonds and creates memories that can never be replaced. If you’re lucky, the kitchen is still the heart of your home, not just a nostalgic symbol of simpler days. Times when, you perhaps can’t remember what you ate. But you can still recall the laughter bouncing off the walls.

Wondering what are the key ingredients that go into creating a family-friendly kitchen? Here’s how to design a space that brings everyone together and inspires quality time. And needless to say, a lot of good things happen in just a few hours.

Have An Inviting Banquette to Comfortably Seat More

When beauty and functionality cross paths, it’s utter bliss. The kitchen sees all the action: kids running around, dinner for relatives and friends, and dogs constantly chasing your feet. It must be durable, functional, and comfortable – but also beautiful. Black is the kitchen’s It colour, so homeowners are obviously exploring shiny black cabinets, black granite countertops with white veins, ebonised wood floors, and even black appliances (that actually look chic). Black kitchens have become increasingly popular since about 2015.

To create an effective family kitchen, you need comfortable seating that accommodates different numbers of people and encourages them to spend time together. A banquette is homey, casual, and promotes conversation. So, if you don’t have a classic island arrangement, banquette seating is the most space-efficient option, designed to fit snugly against the wall. Think about where you’d like to store it and, above all, how often you and your loved ones need to access it. White would look very nice in contrast to the décor.

Make A Place for Kids’ Artwork, Family Photos, And Party Invites

Creating a family bulletin board should be fun…but let’s be honest, it takes time and energy to bring an attention-grabbing display to life. Hang a board low on the wall and spruce up your space with your kids’ art and schoolwork, family photos, and invitations to hang out, fostering a sense of belonging, connection, and purpose. Bear in mind it’s not a one-nail-and-dome affair. If your cork board comes with its own hardware and instructions, closely follow the directions to ensure you’re doing it right.

Opt For Strong, Durable Materials That Just Need a Gentle Wipe-Down

Have the same materials across the kitchen. For instance, you can coordinate your floor with the countertops or cabinets by choosing a colour that compliments without directly matching them. That being said, select easy-to-clean surfaces for more efficient cleaning. There’s no denying that marble countertops are splendid, but they stain easily because marble is a soft, porous stone. And it’s not fun to clean up the mess. To keep your kitchen free of germs, opt for non-porous materials – like quartz, porcelain, and glass.

One of the biggest lessons the pandemic taught us is that surfaces are full of harmful bacteria and viruses, and these tiny organisms can survive for up to 1 week, even if they lose their effectiveness within the first few hours. If you’re too busy to clean, settle for materials that just need a gentle wipe-down, like copper, which can kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, not to mention that it develops a gorgeous patina with time, so yeah, it’s really worth the high price tag.

Child-Proof Cabinets & Drawers (It’s Necessary All Right)

A curious baby explores with their mouth, although it’s not a healthy form of discovery, while a toddler tries to find their way into every closet and cabinet. The kitchen is a common place to get injured. Risks include sharp knives, slippery floors, and hot cookware, to name but a few. Even if you’re not starting from scratch, you can still ensure your kitchen is safe for kids, but what rules do you need to follow? There’s no need to panic. Invest in child safety latches that automatically lock a cabinet or drawer when it’s closed; look for magnetic ones that can be mounted on the inside.

Do you keep common cleaning supplies under the kitchen? It might seem like a fantastic place to stash away items you don’t want on display, but not everything can be safely placed there because it’s easily accessible to kids and pets and poses a health hazard if ingested. Cleaning products have vividly colourful labels, and disinfecting solutions often have a powerful citrus scent. It’s important to keep them in a designated cabinet or in a storage area with sufficient ventilation to avoid the build-up of dangerous vapours or fumes.

Is The Kitchen Way Too Dark? Lighten It Up

The kitchen bustles with activity in the morning, but during evening hours, it provides occasions for chatting and relaxing – the mere sight of food evokes cosiness and comfort. When cooking up something nice in the morning, you need focused task lighting. On the other hand, ambient lighting is optimal for dining with your family. The kitchen is the worst place to have horrible lights because you use sharp knives, cook with fire, and people are aimlessly walking around. Ideally, you should give the kitchen a complete makeover and install floor-to-ceiling windows for abundant natural light and an unbeatable view.

Carve Out a Dedicated Spot for Schoolwork & Supplies

Having a comfy place for your kids to do their homework and study is more valuable than anything when it comes to learning and knowledge retention. Add shelving for books and outlets for a laptop, and use organisers to keep stuff tidy. As you start dinner prep, always be close by to spell out a word or check your kids’ answers to make them feel they’re not alone and ensure they get enough support. If you see them struggling, offer to help right away.