Make Mealtime Fun: Kid-Friendly Kitchen Design Ideas

You may be in the process of buying an entirely new kitchen. Or you may just be looking for ways to make your current kitchen more child-friendly. Either way, we have some expert tips on how you can adapt your kitchen to become a fun and safe space for your children. We are looking at Make Mealtime Fun: Kid-Friendly Kitchen Design Ideas.

What makes a kid-friendly kitchen?

Kitchens are arguably one of the most used rooms in the house. Despite the amount of time spent in the kitchen, there are often multiple dangers present when you have little ones running around. Or inquisitive minds looking for places to explore. Everything from sharp kitchen knives to toxic cleaning substances. So it’s essential to consider ways to make your kitchen a safe and positive environment for children.

Kitchen colour schemes

Whilst it might not relate to health and safety. The colour of your kitchen (particularly walls and upholstery) are key to consider if there are going to be mucky hands or muddy boots passing through. A common mistake that parents make is to opt for light, “timeless” styles. Which look lovely but practically, they just aren’t sustainable for families. The added stress for both parents and children is likely to outweigh the favouritism for these pristine interiors. Parents should instead try to embrace natural, characteristic features that will last.

Kitchen surfaces & finishes

When it comes to kitchen surfaces, it’s all about the materials/finish. Whilst you may be drawn to a shiny, high-gloss look for your kitchen cabinets. The reality of never-ending fingerprints and smear marks will become your living nightmare. As for the counter tops, be realistic about the amount of cleaning up and hard-wearing activity that this surface will take on a daily basis. Choose something sturdy. Be sure to invest in things like large chopping boards and tailored cleaning products to keep your surfaces looking great for longer periods.

Kitchen storage

Arguably one of the most important elements for a large or busy household is the kitchen storage. With so many smart and tailored storage features available. This is a great way to be creative and embrace organisation to make your everyday living as easy and satisfying as possible.

Whether you opt for modern, in-cupboard storage solutions with expanding corner mechanisms. Or adopt more of a DIY approach and utilise counter top storage gadgets to keep your items in check. There are so many great ways to utilise space and make the general everyday use of the kitchen easy and enjoyable for all ages.

Making toddler-friendly areas

Toddlers in the kitchen are like little tornadoes. They love to get into absolutely everything and for some reason. The kitchen is like a treasure trove to these tiny little pirates. Whilst seeing their curiosity bloom is amazing, when it comes to the kitchen space this can often cause unwanted stress and worry. Due to the types of items that are commonly stored here.

Hard-wearing kitchens

Let’s be honest, toddlers aren’t the most gentle creatures. When it comes to choosing a kitchen, finding something that is both durable and easy to clean or ‘touch-up’ is an absolute must. If possible, use protective covers and door stops to prevent cabinets from being broken. And reinforce the lower areas of your kitchen to withhold impact from ride-on toys and spillages.

Low surfaces & safe accessories for little helpers

Young children love to get involved with absolutely anything and everything. Whilst doing the dishes or prepping for dinner may seem like chores. To a toddler these types of activities are great. Not only does it improve their motor skills but it’s also a productive way to get through household chores. Plus spend quality time with your little one. There are a number of ways to improve the accessibility of your kitchen (in a safe way when you can monitor your child) like using child-friendly steps, children’s utensils etc.

Safety features

One of the key things that you’ll need for your kitchen when you have a toddler (or multiple!) is safety locks and features. It could be as simple as using cupboard locks on anywhere that contains harmful equipment. Or substances and ensuring that objects such as sharp knives are kept up high or well out of reach of tiny hands. There are lots of “hidden” safety features available now. So if the thought of large, ugly safety locks are deterring you from making the safest choice then this doesn’t have to be an issue!

Kitchen features for school-aged children

As children get older, you may find peace in knowing that most ‘dangers’ in the kitchen no longer apply. However, with the embrace of this new era comes a new need for the kitchen and a whole new way in which this living space will be used.

Large worktop or dining spaces

A great thing to consider for your kitchen space is the amount of room availabl. For things like completing homework or creating projects etc. Children will have to complete a huge amount of work and learning at home. So it’s a great idea to create a suitable space for them to do this. And for you to be able to sit with them to support when needed. Something like a kitchen island or clear space on a dining table can be a perfect spot for these after school sessions.

Easy access storage

Growing children need plenty of nutrients and with that, comes the endless supply of snacks that they will try to consume. Luckily, there are so many options for creative easy access storage solutions. Meaning you won’t have to go to the kitchen to retrieve all of these items. If you can spend some time creating ‘snack hubs’ that your child can be aware of. Not only does this reduce the amount of input from the parent, but it also empowers a sense of ‘independence’ for your child. That they can safely and easily get their own food or drink in the kitchen without having to ask a parent for help.

Message boards and reminders

If you have a school-aged child, your life is probably taken over by the endless list of after-school activities, clubs and birthday parties. With the addition of dentist appointments, school holidays and other key events it could be a good idea to incorporate some sort of message board into your kitchen. Whether it’s something small like an annual calendar for families, a whiteboard that attaches to the fridge or a whole section of wall on the kitchen area that has been turned into a life-sized blackboard, there are plenty of solutions to help the whole family stay organised.

Summary

There is so much opportunity to create your ideal kitchen space but it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Thankfully, there is help available! If you’re looking to improve your current kitchen with smaller, DIY methods then there is a whole wealth of inspiration online i the form of blogs and guides. However, if you are looking for an entirely new kitchen altogether, it may be wise to speak to a professional kitchen designer to get the support and guidance you need to not only create the kitchen of your dreams but to also get one from a trusted source.