Your Guide to an Efficient Family Kitchen
Keep your cool in a well-designed kitchen that will welcome kids and handle a bit of chaos
Throughout your life you’ll likely spend a considerable amount of time in your kitchen. Mostly for pleasure, I’d like to believe, but there will be other times when standing at the sink is simply a utilitarian task. That’s when having a well-designed cooking and prep space – one that can save you time and help maintain your sanity – will be a godsend, especially when you’re dishing up for a family with kids… and all of their friends.
Get a dishwasher
This labour-saving device is an absolute necessity in a family home, what with the mountain of dishes and pots that are bound to accumulate after a meal. If you don’t have one, get one. There are plenty of eco versions out there now that are both water-saving and energy efficient, and they come in a variety of sizes for those who are worried about space.
This labour-saving device is an absolute necessity in a family home, what with the mountain of dishes and pots that are bound to accumulate after a meal. If you don’t have one, get one. There are plenty of eco versions out there now that are both water-saving and energy efficient, and they come in a variety of sizes for those who are worried about space.
Gather the troops
In most households with kids it’s manic in the lead-up to dinner. In among the frenzy of homework or entertaining younger children, somehow a meal must be made. To minimise the chaos, try creating a work zone near the food prep area so your kids can be near enough to you to chat, while you multi-task as both homework supervisor and chef.
In most households with kids it’s manic in the lead-up to dinner. In among the frenzy of homework or entertaining younger children, somehow a meal must be made. To minimise the chaos, try creating a work zone near the food prep area so your kids can be near enough to you to chat, while you multi-task as both homework supervisor and chef.
Keep track of busy lives
Choose a prominent spot in your kitchen to display a noticeboard, with all the family’s comings and goings. This will help keep track of who needs to be where and when. A great time to get familiar with everyone’s schedules is during family meals together. It can play an important role in reconnecting with one another, and afterwards you can easily jot down everyone’s upcoming activities on the board.
Make a country-style blackboard
Choose a prominent spot in your kitchen to display a noticeboard, with all the family’s comings and goings. This will help keep track of who needs to be where and when. A great time to get familiar with everyone’s schedules is during family meals together. It can play an important role in reconnecting with one another, and afterwards you can easily jot down everyone’s upcoming activities on the board.
Make a country-style blackboard
Incorporate a breakfast bar
In very busy households, parents of school-aged kids rarely have the chance to sit down to a leisurely weekday brekkie. In these cases, a breakfast bar is the perfect place to perch while scoffing down a quick bite and quaffing a cup of tea or coffee.
In very busy households, parents of school-aged kids rarely have the chance to sit down to a leisurely weekday brekkie. In these cases, a breakfast bar is the perfect place to perch while scoffing down a quick bite and quaffing a cup of tea or coffee.
Cater for the youngsters
The kitchen is often described as the heart of the home, and for good reason. Capitalise on its central location and create a kids’ area nearby, so you can keep an eye on the youngest members of the family while you’re cooking up a storm.
What style of kitchen should you have?
The kitchen is often described as the heart of the home, and for good reason. Capitalise on its central location and create a kids’ area nearby, so you can keep an eye on the youngest members of the family while you’re cooking up a storm.
What style of kitchen should you have?
Invest in deep drawers
When designing or updating a kitchen, don’t underestimate the importance and convenience of deep drawers. No longer the sole domain of clingwrap and freezer bags, drawers are ideal for storing everything from kids’ plates to lunchboxes.
When designing or updating a kitchen, don’t underestimate the importance and convenience of deep drawers. No longer the sole domain of clingwrap and freezer bags, drawers are ideal for storing everything from kids’ plates to lunchboxes.
Build a butler’s cupboard
Do you love butler’s pantries but don’t have the room for one yourself? A butler’s cupboard could be the answer. This built-in version occupies minimal space, but offers maximum storage for anything that you need to hide away in a hurry. In this well-thought-out design, the doors retract into side recesses to give the cupboard a more spacious feel, while minimising its protrusion into the kitchen.
Do you love butler’s pantries but don’t have the room for one yourself? A butler’s cupboard could be the answer. This built-in version occupies minimal space, but offers maximum storage for anything that you need to hide away in a hurry. In this well-thought-out design, the doors retract into side recesses to give the cupboard a more spacious feel, while minimising its protrusion into the kitchen.
Buy bigger; it’s better
Well, at least it is when it comes to the family fridge. When you’re time poor and buying fresh ingredients daily isn’t an option, a large fridge is a must-have item. And it doesn’t need to be a glaringly obvious one. This integrated fridge-freezer is cleverly concealed behind matching cabinetry for a seamless look.
Feel-good fridge options to suit your space
Well, at least it is when it comes to the family fridge. When you’re time poor and buying fresh ingredients daily isn’t an option, a large fridge is a must-have item. And it doesn’t need to be a glaringly obvious one. This integrated fridge-freezer is cleverly concealed behind matching cabinetry for a seamless look.
Feel-good fridge options to suit your space
Room with a view
If you’re lucky enough to have a kitchen that overlooks the backyard, consider incorporating large opening windows that take in the view. They not only let the fresh air in, but will also help when you need to cast an eye over the kids while they’re playing outside.
If you’re lucky enough to have a kitchen that overlooks the backyard, consider incorporating large opening windows that take in the view. They not only let the fresh air in, but will also help when you need to cast an eye over the kids while they’re playing outside.
Add a clever kitchen nook
Help to keep your kids safe in the cyber world by including a study area in a well-trafficked location, so you can monitor their online activities. This computer desk – built into a nook in the kitchen – also makes it easy for cooks to jump online to double-check a recipe or stream music for entertainment while cooking.
Help to keep your kids safe in the cyber world by including a study area in a well-trafficked location, so you can monitor their online activities. This computer desk – built into a nook in the kitchen – also makes it easy for cooks to jump online to double-check a recipe or stream music for entertainment while cooking.
Time to get a clock
An easy-to-read timepiece is another must-have item in the kitchen. Although not as big-ticket an item as some of the others listed here, it’s no less important for running a ship-shape household, particularly for weekday breakfasts, when everyone needs to get out the door by a certain time.
TELL US
How would you improve your kitchen? Let us know in the Comments section.
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Your Family Home’s Guide to a Well-Organised Entrance
Your Family Home’s Guide to a Sanity-Saving Living Room
An easy-to-read timepiece is another must-have item in the kitchen. Although not as big-ticket an item as some of the others listed here, it’s no less important for running a ship-shape household, particularly for weekday breakfasts, when everyone needs to get out the door by a certain time.
TELL US
How would you improve your kitchen? Let us know in the Comments section.
MORE
My Island Home: 10 Kitchen Islands for Families
Your Family Home’s Guide to a Well-Organised Entrance
Your Family Home’s Guide to a Sanity-Saving Living Room
Minor dinner-table catastrophies are a daily occurence in families with young children. Everything from spilt milk to upturned bowls of sauce-splattering spaghetti can end up on the floor. Armed with this foresight, choosing the right flooring for your kitchen becomes easier. A surface that’s hard-wearing and non-porous is ideal – think polished concrete, bamboo or hardwood boards, or vinyl tiles or laminate for those on a budget.
Choose the right hard flooring