A family kitchen is the heart of a home. It’s where you gather to cook and eat together, make memories, and just spend quality time as a family. The kitchen design you choose has a big impact on how well your space functions for your lifestyle. Follow these 10 essential design tips when planning a family-friendly kitchen.
Choose a Spacious, Open Layout
An open concept kitchen that’s connected to the living room or dining room allows for easy flow between spaces. This makes it simpler to cook while keeping an eye on kids in the next room. It also enables the cook to still interact with family members nearby.
Aim for a kitchen large enough for multiple people to work together. Island counters are great for communal meal prep. Just ensure there’s enough space around the island so it doesn’t get too cramped.
Also consider:
- Knocking down walls to open the kitchen to adjacent rooms
- Using a peninsula instead of an island to separate work zones while still allowing openness
- Strategic placement of windows, openings, and sightlines between rooms
The more open and spacious the kitchen, the easier it is to bring the whole family together.
Include Plenty of Storage Space
From pots and pans to blenders and beyond, family kitchens need ample storage. With each family member’s dishes, cookware and more to stash, space fills up fast.
Smart storage options include:
- Floor-to-ceiling pantry with pull-out shelves
- Deep lower cabinets instead of base cabinets with drawers
- Roll-out trays and racks in cabinets
- Drawers with dividers for utensils
- Pull-out spice racks
- Open shelving for easy access to everyday items
Also consider ticking storage into unexpected spaces, like under the island or stairs. Getting organized helps keep the kitchen tidy and functional for the whole family.
Select Durable, Low-Maintenance Materials
Family kitchens see a lot of action. With kids in the mix, you can expect spills, splatters, and accidents. Choose materials that are family-proof.
Look for:
- Granite, quartz or solid surface countertops
- Stainless steel appliances
- Cabinets with melamine interiors that wipe clean
- Scratch-resistant porcelain, ceramic or stone tile floors
- Water-resistant wood or laminate flooring
Avoid high-maintenance materials like marble, butcher block, or bright white finishes. Opt for durable surfaces in darker tones that hide messes. This makes for a kitchen that withstands heavy family use.
Include Multipurpose Island Space
An island can make or break a family kitchen. This hardworking spot serves many needs, from prepping meals to doing homework.
Seek ample island space with:
- Seating on one or both sides to accommodate kids
- Overhang for seating vs. cabinets and storage below
- Recessed toe kick space so little ones can pull chairs right up
- Durable countertop that allows for cutting, rolling dough, etc.
- Multiple outlets for charging devices while working at the island
Position the island near the kitchen’s work triangle of sink, stove and fridge. This allows adults to cook while interacting with seated family members.
Select Kid-Friendly Sinks and Faucets
Double sinks are ideal in busy family kitchens, especially when more than one child pitches in with mealtime chores. Consider kid-sized sinks and faucets.
- Low single-bowl sink they can comfortably reach
- Pull-down spray faucet within reach but with parent lock feature
- Pot filler faucet that swivels for filled pots
- Step stools for washing hands independently
Select durable sinks that withstand bumps and scratches, like stainless steel or composite materials. Faucets with one-touch operation or pull-down sprayers make it simpler for kids to use the sink.
Provide Ample Task Lighting
From homework to hobbies, kids have many projects in the kitchen. Provide adequate lighting for their tasks without the harsh glare of an overhead light.
Strategic lighting sources:
- Pendants over the central work zone
- Undercabinet lights to illuminate countertops
- Overhead lights on dimmers to adjust brightness
- Portable lamp on the kitchen table or island
- Light valance over the sink backed with LED ribbon lighting
Layered lighting makes the kitchen functional for prepping meals, doing homework, playing games and more. Position lights over key work areas then add accents like pendants for ambient glow.
Include Space for Hobbies
From checking on a garden to painting and crafting, kids have hobbies that need space. Look for ways to accommodate them in the kitchen design.
- Banquette seating with toy storage below
- Chalkboard wall or magnetic paint wall
- Herb garden in sunny window boxes
- Counter space for arts and crafts
- Mudroom off the kitchen for gardening gear
Multipurpose areas allow kids to pursue interests without sacrificing kitchen space. Just ensure all materials are safe for use around food prep zones.
Accommodate Growing Bodies
As kids grow, the kitchen should adapt to fit their changing needs.
Design with adjustable elements:
- Counter stools that allow seat height adjustments
- Expandable island that can be enlarged
- Cabinet inserts and roll-out shelves to optimize storage
- Pegboard walls with adjustable hooks and bins
- Pull-out pantry drawers that accommodate increasing food
Flexible features that grow with kids help maximize the kitchen’s usefulness over time.
Choose Safe, Sturdy Materials
Active kids mean accidents can happen. Minimize risks by selecting the right materials.
Look for:
- Rounded countertop edges
- Tempered glass cabinet doors vs. fragile glass panes
- Unbreakable dinnerware and cups
- Plastic drawers and slides vs. metal hardware
- Soft-closing doors and drawers
Lock away knives, chemicals and medicines. Install outlet covers, corner guards and non-slip rugs. The safer the materials, the more peace of mind you’ll have.
Make Cleaning and Maintenance Easy
From snack prep to cooking meals, family kitchens need frequent cleaning. Choose materials and features that simplify upkeep.
Consider:
- Quartz or solid surface counters that resist stains
- Brushed stainless appliances with fingerprint-proof coating
- Tile backsplash with grout-free installation
- Self-closing drawers and roll-out trays for easy access
- Pull-down faucet with hose that reaches the whole sink
- Easy-empty compartments in island for garbage/recycling
Also look for ENERGY STAR appliances and LED lighting, which use less energy and cut utility bills. The more you simplify cleaning and maintenance, the better.
Conclusion
The family kitchen is central to nourishing, entertaining and just enjoying quality time. An intelligently designed kitchen makes all the difference. Keep these 10 essential tips in mind when evaluating your layout, features and materials. Focus on openness, durability, safety and an adaptive design. With smart planning, you’ll create a family-friendly kitchen that serves you well for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Designing a Family Kitchen
Here are some common questions about designing an ideal kitchen for a busy family household.
What size kitchen do you need for a family?
Ideally, a family kitchen should be at least 200 square feet in size. This allows adequate space for multiple family members to work together comfortably. Island space counts in the overall area, so adding one can help maximize work zones without requiring a larger footprint.
How do you design a kitchen to be kid-friendly?
The key is incorporating adjustable elements that “grow” with kids. Examples include seating of varied heights, customizable storage, roll-out shelves, and pegboards where you can reposition hooks. Select durable, easy-clean materials. Include task lighting for homework and hobbies. Consider a chalkboard wall or art zone.
What storage solutions help keep a family kitchen organized?
Maximize every inch with rollout trays, lazy susans, drawer dividers, pull-out cabinets, pantry bins and open shelving. Stash rarely used items up high or behind closed doors. Store everyday dishes, glasses, pots and pans within easy reach. Keep cleaning supplies locked away.
What is the most family-friendly kitchen layout?
An open concept kitchen that flows into the living and/or dining room works best. The cook can supervise kids nearby while prepping meals. An island with seating invites kids (and parents) to gather for snacks, homework or chatting while dinner cooks.
What types of sinks work best in family kitchens?
Double sinks allow multiple family members to clean dishes simultaneously. For little kids, select a shallower single sink they can reach comfortably. Include a pull-down spray faucet with easy operation. Choose durable stainless steel, composite, granite or quartz sink materials.
Should you avoid any materials with kids in the mix?
Delicate materials like glass, marble, granite or delicate finishes are prone to damage. Limit breakables and choose durable options like stainless steel, solid surface, porcelain or stone tiles, and laminate wood flooring. For countertops, quartz and solid surface stand up to spills, cuts and impact.
Where should outlets and lighting be positioned?
Strategically place outlets near the island, kitchen table, and countertops for convenient device charging during homework time. Layer lighting throughout with task lighting, pendants and undercabinet fixtures at key work zones. Put lighting on dimmers so adults can adjust brightness levels.
What design features make cleaning easier?
Self-closing drawers, pull-out trays, roll-out cabinets and buckets for trash/recycling simplify tidying up. Opt for fingerprint-proof appliances and clutter-hiding sinks with commercial-style faucets. Choose easy-clean countertops like quartz. Install backsplashes that go from counter to ceiling without grout lines.
How can you save space in a family kitchen?
Use every inch! Opt for cabinets that go to the ceiling with top shelves for less-used items. Include pull-out shelves and roll-out trays. Look for stackable bins for pantries. Consider open shelving rather than upper cabinets. Install a slender pull-down faucet that won’t take up sink space.
Final Thoughts
The family kitchen deserves forethought. Keep these tips in mind when designing your space. Seek an open, durable layout fitted with flexible features to accommodate your household’s evolving needs. Then you can enjoy an efficient, inviting kitchen for many meals and memories to come.
