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The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home. As well as being a place where we cook and eat, it’s often a popular space for family members to gather and spend valuable time together.
So, when planning a kitchen update, you have to consider everyone’s needs. For families with children, it’s even more crucial to create a kitchen design that’s safe for little ones.
The trick of balancing style with safety can be a challenge, but there are lots of design ideas that will make your kitchen a stylish, functional and safe space. Let’s explore some simple design tips to make your kitchen more kid-friendly.
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Opt for family-friendly surfaces
When it comes to surfaces in a busy family kitchen, think carefully about the materials kitchen cabinets, countertops, and floors are made from.
As well as being durable, surfaces should also be wipeable and easy to clean. Kids are well-known for their ability to make a mess in the kitchen! It’s a good idea to opt for materials like quartz or porcelain for worktops. Both are scratch and stain-resistant, and less porous than wood or granite.
Laminate is also a go-to for a budget-friendly kitchen remodel. Semi-gloss laminate is especially recommended for cabinets because it’s more hygienic, allowing you to wipe down dirt and fingerprints easily.
When it comes to flooring, vinyl is at the top of families’ preferences due to its durability and affordability. Vinyl is water and stain-resistant, which makes it ideal for parents with younger children.
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Create a kids’ cabinet
If you can, try to provide kids with their own space, especially if they enjoy helping out in the kitchen. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable for little ones to stand alongside you while cooking, even if they’re keen to lend a hand. A unit suited to their size will make your kitchen more kid-friendly by allowing them to work at the right height. It will give them somewhere to keep their own utensils and equipment too.
If your kitchen space doesn’t allow you to create a cabinet dedicated to the kids, one option is to squeeze something in by going for a design with narrower cabinets. There’s a wide range of cheap kitchens you can choose from, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding something suitable for everyone’s needs.
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Choose an open floor plan
Are you looking for a space where your entire family can congregate? Then an open kitchen floor plan might be the answer.
An open plan kitchen design looks modern and chic, but it can be really functional too, allowing you to keep an eye on the kids or supervise homework while you’re busy cooking or clearing away the dishes. A larger space can also allow kids to play more freely without you being worried about possible accidents.
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Pick the right layout
There are several popular kitchen layouts, including U-shape, L-Shape, G-shape, One-wall and Gallery design. If you’re fitting a kitchen in a family home, think carefully about which option is going to work best for you and the kids.
An L-shaped kitchen is ideal if you want to enjoy the company of your children while cooking, and it’s also great for families that want to spend time together. An L-shaped layout that flows into a living area is a perfect choice if the kitchen area isn’t large enough to accommodate the whole family.
If you have younger kids and are concerned about safety, a U-shaped kitchen that closes off access at one end may be more suitable. This layout makes it easier to keep children away from the hot cooking area and out of danger.
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Keep dangerous items out of reach
It’s normal for a kitchen to be equipped with knives and sharp tools, but these are dangerous items for kids, especially younger ones. Therefore, consider storing sharp objects like knives, scissors, and forks in your upper cupboards so that little ones can’t reach them. An even better idea to keep dangerous utensils far from little hands is to store them in a drawer that’s secured with a child lock.
You should also think about storing potentially harmful items like glass objects or devices with sharp blades in a higher drawer or a locked cabinet. Don’t forget to lock up your chemicals (all-purpose cleaner, dish soap, disinfectant, etc.) too.
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Consider appliance safety
It’s never a good idea to let kids loose with the kitchen appliances, and it’s vital to choose the appliances carefully. Apart from being convenient, they should also be kid-friendly. For example, induction hobs are more suitable for families with children because their surface remains cool during cooking, and there’s no risk of flame.
Hopefully these safety tips will help you to make your kitchen more kid-friendly and find the best solution for your family. What’s your top tip for keeping little ones safe in the kitchen?
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