How To Create a Family-Centered Kitchen
For many of us, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s the place where we catch up with our nearest and dearest and enjoy some precious family time. But when you have young children at home, your kitchen may well have to double up as a playroom, homework station or chill-out zone as well as a space in which to prepare food.
Here, we look at some of the ways in which you can create a custom-made, elegant kitchen that works for the entire family.
CONSIDER THE LAYOUT
It’s important to think about the way in which you and your family will use the kitchen. Will the kids do their drawing at the kitchen island? Do they need space on the floor to play? Or perhaps a cosy corner where they can chill out while you’re making dinner?
All these factors need to be considered when designing the optimum layout for your new kitchen. Getting the flow right between the stove, refrigerator, cabinetry and seating can make the difference between a harmonious breakfast time and a hectic one!
INCORPORATE CUSTOM STORAGE
The best way to beat the clutter in a busy household is to incorporate bespoke storage. Drawers specifically designed for toys and art materials, for example, can help ensure the kids’ favourite things are always close at hand, but can till be easily tidied away when not in use.
At L’Atelier Paris, we can design and build made-to-measure storage to suit your unique needs. This might be leather-lined drawers for your child’s Lego collection, or drawer dividers made from solid oak or walnut to separate child-friendly cutlery and cups.
Some of our clients even request food prep areas for their budding young chefs that might include a child-height countertop, low-level pantry cupboard, and under-cabinet refrigerator drawer. Our aim is to ensure these child-friendly adaptations blend seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen to create a space that is both elegant and functional.
MAKE SURE IT’S PRACTICAL
We all know kids can create a lot of mess, so it’s worth thinking about practicalities when considering material choices for your family kitchen. Quartz, granite or stainless steel are good choices for countertops, as they’re much more resistant to staining and scratching than marble.
When choosing seating, it’s best to select stain-resistant fabrics so that any spills can easily be wiped away. It’s also a good idea to think ahead in terms of the effects of sticky fingers. Greasy marks won’t show as much on a grained wood finish as on a high gloss cabinet door.
At L’Atelier Paris Haute Design, we can help create the ultimate, bespoke kitchen uniquely tailored to your family’s needs. Talk to our talented design team today to make the first steps towards your dream kitchen.