We all know the kitchen is the heart of the home. But for families with children, it is also the epicenter of the home. It’s where we cook, eat, do homework and gather together. But how do you design a kitchen that can accommodate all these activities, stay organized and look good?
We tapped into our River North Design District network to bring you 6 tips for designing a family friendly kitchen.
Add a Touch of Color and Personality with Tile
Add a touch of fun to your kitchen design with the Block Picket series from Roca Tile. This ceramic wall tile provides different options of colors, finishes & patterns and is ideal for kitchen backsplashes or dining nooks, adding color and functionality to your space.
Bonus tip: let the kids help you pick out the tiles to include the entire family in the design!
Opt for Kid-Proof Countertops and Cabinet Fronts
eggersmann introduces FENIX core, an incredible family friendly surface and cabinet front. This impermeable FENIX finish has anti-bacterial and mold-resistant properties. The easy-clean material is resistant to scratching and abrasion as well as to aggressive acid-based solvents and household cleaners. FENIX is water-repellent, hygienic, and anti-fingerprint and heat-proof up to 302° F, making it an exceptional choice for kitchen counters and bathroom vanities.
Design with the Kids in Mind
Staci Munic Interiors was brought on to give this family’s suburban kitchen a nip and tuck to bring it into the new decade. The cabinets and appliances were in good shape, but the backsplash was a bit busy and the countertops were dated. The kitchen also needed new lighting and furniture.
Staci and her team decided to color block the kitchen by painting the upper cabinets – out of the kids reach – and island white and touched up the lower cabinets – within kids reach – in the existing brown finish. They swapped out the speckled granite countertop for Cambria Britannica Warm Matte Quartz – one of the most durable countertop options – and added a full height backsplash. Quartz is low-maintenance and antimicrobial, making it a popular choice for family kitchens. They also mitered the island countertop edge to 2.5” and added extra seating. SMI replaced the cabinet hardware with a curated combo of matte black and satin brass, changed out the lighting and furniture and gave the entire room a new paint job. The result- a beautiful eat-in kitchen with open sight lines to keep tabs on the little ones, ample storage, kid friendly surfaces, and extra seating options for homework.
Make Space for Gathering
Family friendly kitchens come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. ARMAZEM.design lives and breathes kitchens. Through experience they know that all families are different, therefore they are all looking for custom design solutions to meet their needs. However, all family friendly kitchens must also be conducive to gathering, creating, and sharing. Functionality is an imperative consideration during the kitchen design process. What all families want is a space to create healthy, delicious, and beautiful food, but most importantly a space to share and congregate in in our daily routines; after all the kitchen is the space where life happens.
Select Kid Friendly Furniture
Add sturdy, comfortable, and easy to clean leather counter or bar stools to your family friendly kitchen. The family can cozy up to the chef in the Calvin Counter Stools from Arteriors and available through Casa Bella. The curved shape makes it easy to keep little ones inside and the leather surface makes them easy to wipe down. And added bonus: these stools are perfectly scaled to tuck away under your countertop when not in use so no one can trip or stub their toes when running in for dinner.
When it Comes to the Kitchen Island, Go Big
A modern kitchen isn’t just about cooking. You want a space that brings the family together and inspires quality time. The kitchen should be a central hub for family members to connect and create together. The creative heart of any family kitchen is the kitchen island. Larger islands not only give you more prep space, they encourage the rest of the family to come together. One could be cooking while the other is doing homework or working on an art project. Komandor designers are coming up with storage solutions such as pull-out spice racks, hidden bins for recyclables and caddies for pots and pans. Everything will be organized and easy to find exactly when you need it. According to Komandor, the perfect family kitchen should be clean, organized, simple and comfortable.
