Transforming Your Kitchen into the Family Hub of the House
The kitchen has become the center of the home, making it important to make the kitchen an inviting gathering place. A kitchen can bring a family together and has brought about the concept of making the kitchen a ‘social kitchen.’ This concept helps to reinforce the status of the kitchen as the ‘heart and soul’ of the home. Below are some tips on how to transform the kitchen into the family hub of the home.
Bar Stools and Kitchen Islands
With an open floor plan, it is easy to add in pieces to make a kitchen more usable. Adding a kitchen island that can serve as a seating area, serving spot and prep zone can make an island a good feature. Add bar stools to the island to make it a family-friendly space, and picking the right stools that compliment both style and comfort can make all the difference.
Open up the Kitchen
Reworking the layout of the kitchen is essential to creating a social hub for family and friends. Sometimes this involves taking down walls to open a space up. Be sure to find the right people for the job that have experience creating open kitchen plans and specialize in professional kitchen renovations.
Casual and Organized
Blending form and function is something a lot of people struggle with. When designing the perfect kitchen think about creating an area that is welcoming and engaging but has a relaxed and casual atmosphere to the space. A kitchen shouldn’t be a place where everything is off limits and can’t be touched, making it unusable.
Kid Friendly
Adding pieces that can withstand the activity and wear and tear of children is important. Additionally, adding seating that fits a child is also important. This could mean adding a stool to help a child access the sink and counters. Childproof corners and plush rugs are also something to think about to make the kitchen family friendly.
Practicality vs. Bling
Having a kitchen that can handle the traffic of family and friends, yet still stand on its own style-wise is something to think about. Maybe instead of opting for marble countertops, think about something such as stainless steel, Corian or granite. These materials can all withstand the abuse of daily life. Another thought is to place the refrigerator on the perimeter; this ensures that any kids or adults in the area won’t disturb prepping and cooking.
Nooks and Zones
Planning for a work zone that is dedicated to homework might be something to keep in mind. This could simply mean adding a desk with some chairs and setting aside some shelves for storage. This could also hold true for toddlers or babies. Create a space where it would be safe for little ones to play. If the kitchen has a window nook, this is a good place to add soft cushions for a nice work area.
Message Boards
A message board is a good way to communicate with members of the family. This could mean anything from a board to pin notes on to a dedicated chalkboard wall. This idea is easy to create and is often a hit with children.
Change with the Seasons
Subtle changes can be made to the kitchen as the seasons change. During the summer months let in natural light and stock the fridge with fresh herbs and food. In the winter time make the kitchen into a warm and inviting haven. Include candles and cushions along with blankets to create a cozy ambiance.
Add in Personality
Personal touches are what make a kitchen unique and special. Maybe this means displaying a cookbook or hanging the children’s artwork. Ultimately, this is what will make the kitchen into an inviting area where the whole family will want to spend time.
Family Cooking Time
Preparing meals together is a great way to make the kitchen the hub of the home. Getting children involved in making meals encourages a family atmosphere and teaches young ones important life skills.
