Designing the perfect family kitchen

The kitchen is the central hub of the home, a space for the family to gather and make memories. No longer a place solely for cooking and eating, the modern kitchen is a sociable and adaptable area. We believe that the perfect family kitchen is a multifunctional space designed for modern family life that looks stunning, whilst offering various practicality benefits.

There are many elements to consider when designing a family kitchen and a lot will depend on your personal requirements and the available space. In this post we explain some of the key factors to consider for designing the perfect family kitchen, from surfaces and storage to appliances and technology.

Space

Space is an important factor to address in family kitchens, especially if there are little ones running around. Work closely with your designer to avoid a cramped kitchen and open up the space. Consider extending the area by removing walls or adding an extension to the house, and aim to create an open plan living area.

You will need to think carefully about the layout to ensure the optimum use of space. For example, do you want to create a child-free zone? It can be safer to restrict access to the main parts of the kitchen whilst cooking for safety reasons. You may also want to consider a central island. These can provide a handy hub for gathering around, plus you can add seating so that mum or dad can keep an eye on the children whilst cooking.

Surfaces

We all know how messy children can be, so any worktops and surfaces you choose should be easy to clean and maintain. Opt for matt surfaces over gloss, as these are better at disguising fingermarks and other smudges. Even better, choose a textured surface, such as granite for the worktop or wood effect for the cupboard doors, as these are also good at hiding marks. We also recommend considering rounded edges for any worktops, doors or tables in order to avoid bruised heads and other accidents.

Flooring

As with the surfaces, your kitchen flooring should also be easy to clean and maintain, harbouring an ability to withstand spillages and dents. Although tile and stone are ideal for slip resistance, they can also be very unforgiving if any falls do occur. For this reason, it is often a good idea to choose a flooring such as vinyl, as this offers a softer landing along with both practicality and aesthetic benefits.

Storage

Family kitchens often require greater storage capacities, due to additional child-related items and extra cooking utensils. Plus, if you plan to grow your family then you may need further space in the future. For this reason, it is often necessary to deploy some smart storage solutions and a kitchen designer will be able to advise you on this. Be sure to store dangerous items and breakables high out of reach and add safety locks to cupboards in which hazardous items can be found, such as cleaning products under the sink.

Appliances

When it comes to appliances in a family kitchen, safety is the priority. One of our primary recommendations for family kitchens is to install an induction hob; by far the safest option, as there is no flame and the surface stays cool during cooking. You may also want to consider a boiling water tap, as these are trickier for children to operate and cannot be knocked over unlike a kettle.

Technology

One of our key recommendations is to ensure that you add plenty of plug points. Whether these are for appliances, laptops or speakers, having sufficient points to plug in your various gadgets is essential in our technology-driven lives. On the subject of technology, it is also worth bearing in mind the myriad of smart technology applications now available. All of these are designed to make your life easier and stress-free – music to the ears of any parents!

For some further inspiration of beautiful family kitchens, have a browse of this Houzz gallery. If you would like to speak to one of our award-winning kitchen designers, please get in touch with the Burnhill Kitchens team today, request a brochure via our website or pop into our Tonbridge showroom for a chat.