Best Kitchen Design Features for Busy Families

Modern families are busier than ever with school, work, sports, music lessons, and errands. When you’re not driving around town, the kitchen is often a central point for most families. Is your kitchen built for your busy lifestyle, or is it a struggle to prepare meals on time, clean, and enjoy time together? Below, we’ll discuss the top kitchen design features to help make your busy family’s life a little less hectic.

Choosing Kitchen Design Features

You want your kitchen to be safe, functional, and easy to navigate. The endless options can be overwhelming initially, so be sure to discuss them with an expert designer. Consider things like whether your current kitchen layout accommodates your family’s needs. A functional kitchen allows you to move around and access the things you need easily.

Ask yourself these questions before starting your kitchen remodel project:

• Does my current kitchen meet my family’s needs?
• Can we access everything quickly?
• Do I need more space for my family and our guests?

Your answers will help drive your kitchen design ideas and what features your kitchen needs. Here is a list of six of the best kitchen features our designers find most helpful for busy families:

1. Breakfast Bar

Breakfast bars are a convenient way to start the morning. Many families enjoy having their kids sit and eat while parents tackle early morning chores. From meal prep to washing dishes, parents can keep an eye on their children. In fact, many homes find their breakfast bar so convenient that they use it more than the dining table!

Try This: Upgrade your kitchen with a breakfast bar that doubles as the kitchen island. All you need is an overhanging countertop and a few stools for seating.

2. Easy-to-Clean Surfaces

Messes are inevitable with busy families. Save time and effort by investing in materials that are known for easy maintenance. You can spend more time with your family or running around doing other tasks where you might otherwise spend it cleaning.

Try This: Incorporate cleanable surfaces with quartz or laminate countertops that are easy to wipe down and stain-resistant. Or choose porcelain, which is almost entirely stain-proof. Stainless steel appliances are also quick and easy to clean up.

3. Accessible Pantry

Children learn by watching their parents work. As they grow, they become more self-sufficient and help in the kitchen. Unfortunately, many pantry shelves are too tall for little ones who are ready to help mom or dad in the kitchen.

Try This: Designate a lower pantry drawer or bin within your child’s reach, stocked with healthy, parent-approved snacks.

4. Open-Concept Floor Plan

An open-concept kitchen has few or no interior walls. It removes the walls between the kitchen, living room, and dining room. Many parents enjoy open floor plans because they can prepare meals and keep an eye on their children simultaneously.

The home flows more naturally, making interaction and spending time together simple no matter what room you’re in. The combined kitchen and living room becomes a much more social space to gather your busy family.

Open kitchens provide several additional benefits:

• Ability to communicate with family and guests while you cook
• Can brighten a dimly lit kitchen
• Adds value to your property if you resell

   

5. Better Landing Zones

Landing zones, also called drop zones, are areas where items tend to pile up in your home. Ideally, shoes, keys, coats, grocery lists, phone chargers, and even homework all have designated areas. However, landing zones can quickly become messy.

Improve your kitchen’s landing zones to help keep the area tidy. It will make busy mornings easier and help organize things that need to leave the house with you or your children.

Try This: Place a basket or tray where you leave your keys and wallet after coming home. Designate an area of the countertop for small appliances, meal prep work, or a container holding cooking utensils. Consider a charging drawer for a discrete landing zone for electronics.

6. Storage Space

If you have a small kitchen or one that lacks adequate storage space, it can become cluttered and make cooking a chore. A remodel can optimize your kitchen storage solutions. Consider these ideas to save space:

• Risers: Shelf risers are a great way to utilize the empty space towards the top of your cupboards. They can also maximize space on your countertops or in your pantry.
• Bread Box: These mini pantries protect against air and moisture. Store your bread, rolls, bananas, and tomatoes inside. You can also use your bread box for extra space to keep your countertops tidy.
• Drawers: Line your lower cabinets with drawers instead of shelves that you can easily roll out. You’ll be able to find things more easily and save space, too.
• Lazy Susan: To better utilize corner space, add a lazy Susan to your cabinets. These come in different sizes, so you can store smaller items like spices or larger things like blenders or mixers.

   

Kitchens by Oaks: Quality You Can Trust

Working with an experienced designer can help you plan a kitchen that runs smoothly and efficiently. At Kitchens by Oaks, we’re here to help you with all your kitchen design and installation needs. Whether you want small updates or a full kitchen renovation, our expert designers will walk you through each step of the process.

Book a free consultation with one of our designers. We’ll gladly discuss your project and help you choose the perfect kitchen features for you and your busy family.