3 Tips for Making Your Kitchen More Family-Friendly

For many families, the kitchen is the heart of the home. This is the place where people tend to congregate, decisions tend to get made, and memories tend to be created. With your kitchen being such an important room in your home, it’s important that everyone can feel safe and comfortable there, from your small children to your lifelong friends. So to help make your kitchen a place everyone will love, here are three tips for making your kitchen more family-friendly.

Install A Blackboard or Whiteboard

What will truly set your kitchen apart from all the other ones on your block are the things that you do to make it unique and give it a piece of your family’s personality. One great way to do this, according to HouseBeautiful.com, is to install a large blackboard or whiteboard that you can then decorate and change as the mood strikes. This will allow everyone to contribute to the style of the kitchen by hanging up their art, sharing a quote for everyone to read, or creating lists for the family to remember. And if you have little ones, this can be a great way to keep them busy while you’re busy making food or cleaning up.

Put Kid Items In Low Drawers or Cupboards

If you have kids, they likely enjoy being near you and feeling involved in the activities you do, including being in the kitchen. However, with all the sharp items and hot appliances, the kitchen can be a dangerous place for your kids to play in if you’re not careful to watch them.

One area your kids may love being is on the kitchen counter. They may climb up there to get something they need or to just get a little adrenaline rush. One way you can help keep this to a minimum, according to Jamie Gold, a contributor to Houzz.com, is to keep kid items like cups and plates in low drawers or cupboards. This will eliminate the need for them to climb up on the counters and put themselves in potential danger.

Create Island Seating

Because your family may enjoy cooking and eating together, you’re going to need a space where you’re able to do that. If you have a small kitchen, you may want to consider doing a renovation that would give you more space. But if you currently have a lot of space to work with, Kristen Flanagan, a contributor to Architectural Digest, recommends creating island seating so everyone in the room can be together and feel involved. By allowing your family or friends to sit near you while you’re working in the kitchen, you can take advantage of every moment you have to spend together.  

If you want to make your kitchen more of a safe common area, use the tips mentioned above to help you begin the transition.