September 27, 2019
Kitchens are a place where families come together to cook and relax. But when children are involved, it’s important to consider safety, comfort, and cleanliness in addition to style. Here’s how to design a kitchen with kids in mind.
Choose Easy-to-Clean Surfaces
Where there are kids, there are accidents. From bright red fruit punch to bowls full of soup, food is bound to end up spilling and smearing across surfaces. To make cleaning easy, opt for surfaces that are easy to wipe. Quartz is a durable, man-made product that is less porous than stone, meaning it’s less likely to hold on to grease and grime during cleaning. Laminate is also a good option that can easily mimic more expensive granite.
Open It Up
Although it’s nice to have dinners in a dining room, the reality is that with a busy, kid-filled schedule, families are bound to spend a lot of time eating or snacking in the kitchen. Lean into this by choosing an open plan with a Kitchen island or bar that children can snack at or sit and watch while parents cook. As children get older, this open plan will be beneficial while they learn how to cook family recipes with their parents.
Make Food Accessible
New parents may be inclined to keep food out of reach of prying children. But it’s not always a good idea to choose pantry locations with young children in mind, since kids will outgrow dependent stages quickly. Don’t worry about pantry accessibility while Organizing new kitchen cabinets; instead, make sure that reachable pantries are filled with healthy options. This is particularly important because it can teach children self-sufficiency and healthy eating habits from a young age.
Round Out Edges
Sharp, rectangular edges may seem like the obvious choice for custom kitchen remodels, but they can be dangerous when growing children run through the house. Instead, opt for rounded-slab edge details, which can be much more forgiving if a child bumps into it. Keep this in mind while selecting chairs and tables that may also play into the floor plan. Visit us in Sarasota or Bradenton, FL.
It’s true that kids won’t be small forever, but with these simple tactics in mind, it’s easy to keep them safe and comfortable while they’re growing. For more inspiration about optimizing your remodel for a Florida home full of children or for any type of living space, view our remodeling gallery online or call Kirkplan Kitchens at (941) 341-0401 today.