The kitchen is usually where home life happens—breakfast on the go, homework on the counter, bonding dinners with family members, and late-night hangouts with friends.
One in nine Americans considers kitchens the “heart of the home.” With that said, kitchens shouldn’t only be stylish but also durable, functional, and safe. Let’s discuss five trending family-friendly kitchen designs to help elevate your remodeling project.
5 Trending Family-Friendly Kitchen Design Elements
Are you looking to upgrade your kitchen’s look and functionality to serve your family better? Here are a few simple kitchen remodel ideas that can make a significant difference.
1. A Family-Centered Layout with Kitchen Islands
Kitchen islands are essential to any kitchen space, and for good reason. They add additional countertop space, making meal prep considerably easier. Most importantly, they transform into a central space where your friends and family can gather for breakfast, meals, and more.
Your kitchen island can even become more than just an additional counter. For instance, you could add dedicated seating, such as stow-away bar stools, and install built-in outlets to power kitchen appliances and charge your devices.
2. Durable, Easy-to-Clean Surfaces
As one of the busiest areas in a home, it’s no surprise that kitchens are also the messiest, with food, spills, and oils in nearly every corner. Thankfully, cleanup doesn’t have to be tedious—with granite, marble, and quartz countertops that, with proper care, can resist even the toughest stains.
Are the backsides of your kitchen islands and peninsulas getting dirtied by pets or your little ones’ shoes? A popular solution is to install tiles in this area. Simply wipe it down and you’re all set!
3. Rounded Edges and Kid-Safe Finishes
When you have children at home, safety should be your priority. So, be sure to add kid-friendly features and designs to your kitchen remodeling project, such as:
- Rounded, padded edges on countertops to prevent bumps
- Easy-access storage for the kids’ items
- Non-slip flooring to avoid accidents
- Safety locks on drawers and cabinets containing dangerous items
- Scratch, dent, and stain-resistant finishes everywhere
Don’t worry, these functional changes don’t have to stand out like a sore thumb. You can find countertop edge covers, non-slip mats, and other child-safe items that can blend well with the rest of your cooking area’s interior design!
4. Smart, Touch-Free Faucets
Sinks are the bane of many parents with little kids—scratches on stainless steel sinks, water turned to dangerous temperatures, to name a few. Thankfully, you don’t have to suffer any longer.
For example, anti-scald valve fixtures on water lines pre-mix hot and cold water so that hot water comes out warm but never scalding. Sink mats prevent metals and similar items from damaging the sink’s surface and reduce the possibility of glass breakage.
Even better, these fixtures aren’t complicated to install. They’re highly affordable and easy to integrate into even the smallest remodels, allowing you to keep your children safe without worry.
5. Accessible, Functional Storage Solutions
Let your children serve themselves with accessible storage that doesn’t put them at risk. These solutions are also so simple that they don’t need a remodel to be achieved.
A simple change is to reserve low-level drawers and cabinets for kids’ dishes and snacks. In turn, they can grab their things as needed without climbing anything. You could also switch out the hinges for soft-close ones to keep your kids’ fingers from getting injured.
Meanwhile, you should transfer fragile, heavy, and dangerous items like knives to locked or high cabinets to keep them out of reach.
Why Family-Friendly Kitchen Design Matters
There are many reasons why it’s important to ensure your kitchen design prioritizes the safety and convenience of your family, including the following:
- Kitchens are the busiest rooms in the home because everyone, including children and older adults, uses them regularly.
- Family-centered upgrades save time, reduce accidents, and make daily kitchen routines smoother.
- These adjustments enhance your home’s functionality and long-term value.
In short, family-friendly kitchen designs are a long-term investment, not just monetarily but also in how they make food preparation safer and easier. So, partner with a trusted company like American Wood Reface to begin your upgrades soon.
Why Choose American Wood Reface for Family-Friendly Remodeling?
American Wood Reface has years of experience blending style and function in countless family homes through cabinet refacing and add-on services, including countertops, fixtures, backsplashes, and undercabinet lighting. We use1/4″ solid, select-grade hardwood, new hand-crafted doors, new adjustable hinges, and new hardware, along with safety-minded design options to keep your loved ones safe.
We also provide personalized in-home consultation, which allows us to recommend the best upgrades for you. At the same time, we bring material swatches to these meetings so you can see which options suit your living space and meet your vision.
Our team has a track record of delivering kitchens that grow with families, and we want to do the same for you.
Strengthen Your Family Bonds in the Kitchen
Remember, the best family-friendly kitchen design is equal parts safe, functional, and stylish, so consider incorporating these functional elements into your space. In doing so, your kitchen becomes a place to cook for and bond with people you love.
Don’t hesitate to reach out. American Wood Reface offers industry-leading refacing services to elevate your cabinetry’s looks and functionality, as well as cabinet modifications and enhancements.
