Five tips for creating a family-friendly kitchen
In a family home, the kitchen is more than a place for cooking meals. It is where children do their homework, where the family catches up and where friends gather, and it may be the only calm spot in a busy house. When planning kitchen refurbishment Surrey, households look for a design that feels welcoming but copes with daily life. These five tips show how to plan a kitchen that works well for everyone.
1. Make safety part of the design
Safety often influences initial decisions. In a home with young children, it is easier to design in safety from the outset rather than as an afterthought.
To childproof a kitchen for younger kids, you can install safety locks on cabinets and drawers and use stove knob covers and oven locks.
Knives, sharp utensils and cleaning products should be stored out of children’s reach. Try to store them in high cupboards or in locked drawers. Hobs should be sited away from main walkways. Pan handles should not be at children’s head height when they are walking down a passageway. Consider rounded work surface corners, an induction hob which stays cooler around the pan and a tall oven housing which keeps the hot door out of reach.
For households who are looking at kitchen refurbishment in Surrey, these adaptations can be incorporated into a design without compromising on looks.
2. Choose durable and easy-clean finishes
Spills, splashes and sticky fingers are part of family life. Hardwearing surfaces, like quartz worktops and wipeable paint finishes, make everyday cleaning easier. Designers, including specialists such as thekitchenrefurbishmentcompany.co.uk/, show how durable materials can still feel warm and stylish.
| Surface | Family-friendly choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Worktops | Quartz or good quality laminate | Resist stains, easy to wipe |
| Cabinet doors | Matt or satin lacquer, or foil-wrapped | Hide fingerprints better than high gloss |
| Walls | Scrubbable kitchen paint | Can be wiped without marking |
| Floors | Luxury vinyl tile or porcelain | Waterproof, easy to mop |
| Splashback | Glass or large tiles | Fewer grout lines to clean |
3. Plan flexible storage
In a busy kitchen, clutter can build up quickly. Adding deep drawers to store pans and plates, labelled baskets to store snacks and lunchbox supplies and integrated recycling bins will help to combat the problem. A low drawer or cupboard can also be used to store children’s plates and cups and allow them to help themselves and lay the table, whilst keeping hazardous items out of reach.
4. Make space to sit together
A breakfast bar with stools creates a safe area for children to sit while meals are being prepared, helping to create a social hub as opposed to a purely functional space. If space allows, a table or banquette seating can be incorporated into the kitchen to allow children to complete homework, get creative with crafts and have family meals together. Position the seating area away from the main route between the hob, sink and fridge so the cook is not working around people.
5. Think about lighting and zones
Good task lighting is needed over work surfaces and over the hob for safe cooking, and softer lighting is required over a dining table or island to create a relaxing atmosphere in the evening. By dividing the room up into different zones, to include cooking, eating, homework and a drop-off zone for bags and post, families with lots of busy people can use the kitchen without getting in each other’s way.
Cook together
The family kitchen is a great place for children to learn to cook as they can complete specific tasks for their age such as washing vegetables, stirring cold mixtures and weighing out ingredients for younger children, and eventually chopping soft foods using a child-safe knife. They can then move on to learn to cook at the hob with adult supervision. Keeping long hair back, washing hands before handling food and after touching raw meat and using a sturdy step with a wide base so they can reach work surfaces are good habits to get into from the start. Yes, it may take longer to cook with children in the kitchen but it is great for their confidence and gives them a healthy relationship with food.
Good hygiene matters most when little helpers are involved, so read our guide to the importance of handwashing in food preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Is an island a good idea in a family kitchen?
It can be, but it needs enough room around it to move safely. An island with seating is a natural gathering point for families. However, a hob on the island creates a hazardous situation as it has heat and pans close to where children sit and pass. Many families prefer the hob on the back wall and the island used for preparation and for seating.
What is the most practical worktop for a family kitchen?
Quartz is a popular choice as it resists stains and scratches and needs no sealing. Good quality laminate surfaces are lower cost and durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of daily life. Solid wood surfaces look warm but require regular oiling and can mark from water and heat.
A kitchen can be a place where family life is supported and where one can also enjoy cooking and spend time, as long as it is well thought out.
Short on space? Our tips on making a small kitchen appear bigger may help.
