When designing your kitchen, it’s important to consider who will be using the space and for what purposes. Many of our clients want to make their new kitchens kid friendly. For clients with younger children who will be active users of the kitchen we often recommend the following:
- Most of the storage below counter height
- Pull out drawers inside of base cabinets
- Undercounter refrigerators and beverage centers
- Undercounter microwave
- Accessible pantries
- Islands that double as places for homework or a separate island that is out of the way from cooking
- Racks for dishes
- Breakfast areas
- Outlet charging stations in base cabinet drawers
- Space to store small appliances under countertops such as toasters, blenders and other portable appliances
- Built-in cutting boards to help prevent the possibility of damaging countertops
- Touch open cabinets and drawers
- Soft close drawers and cabinets
- Seating with washable fabrics
- Extra wide countertops because we know kids will often climb on the countertop
- Countertops without overhangs because overhangs make it difficult for smaller children to reach the surface
- Designated play areas in or off the kitchen (space permitting)
- A separate dining area and table just for kids
- Built-in shelves to store games, art supplies, books and other kid-centric items
- Separate dishes, cutlery and cookware just for kids
Many of the recommendations we make with children in mind will work equally as well for adults. Plus, improving your kitchen provides the highest return on investment when you sell your home compared to other upgrades, according to a 2017 National Association of Realtors survey. Almost 50 percent of survey respondents said the primary reason for renovating their kitchen was improved functionality. Nine in 10 survey respondents said that their kitchen renovation made them happier in their home. That’s priceless.