Are you looking for a kitchen that will work with your family at every stage?
You probably plan to stay in your home for more than ten years. That’s how long the average family lives in the same residence.
In that time you’ll use your kitchen for:
- Baby food storage and preparation
- After-school snacks for growing kids
- Late-night treats when your teen keeps you up
- Holidays with visiting relatives
The problem with most kitchens is…
They’re great for one stage of your family’s life but fall short in another. Spent too much money on features you don’t need now? An incomplete kitchen that creates daily frustrations? Hidden safety hazards you never thought about?
The good news is this
With advance planning, every kitchen can adapt to your changing family. Without having to renovate every few years.
You’ll learn:
- Why kitchens should be family friendly
- Safety features to protect your kids
- Tips for buying appliances that will last
- Family friendly kitchen ideas that will grow with your kids
Why Kitchens Should Be Family Friendly
Kid-friendly kitchens are more than stylish looks and finishes. A family-friendly kitchen keeps kids safe and helps make your life easier.
Consider these kitchen safety statistics from World CopperSmith. There are an estimated 500,000 kitchen accidents every year in the United States. That equals 1,300 accidents per day.
Children suffer the majority of kitchen injuries.
Kids under 5 have the greatest risk of suffering burns in the kitchen. Children under 14 experience the third highest number of accidents in the kitchen.
Why does this information matter?
Kitchen design and kidproofing prevent the majority of these accidents. Proper storage, childproofing techniques, and cautious appliance placement go a long way.
Thankfully when your family purchases appliances they know will stand the test of time while keeping an eye out for safety features from an appliance store Largo FL customers trust. They can always rely on their appliance repair specialists for help should they need it.
Safety Features Every Kitchen Needs
Family friendly kitchens start with safety. Before you worry about color schemes and flooring ensure your kitchen has these features.
Child-proofing that works.
Studies show that child-proof locks reduce toddler injuries by up to 60%. Just that one simple change could save your family a trip to the hospital.
Other safety features you should add:
- Anti-tip brackets for all ranges and wall ovens
- Stove knob covers to keep curious fingers from turning on the burner
- Cord management to keep appliance cords off the floor
- Soft-close cabinet hinges prevent pinched fingers
Here’s a safety tip most parents don’t know…
Over 70% of kitchen accidents occur no more than 3 feet from the stove or oven. Creating a kid-free zone around the cook space can drastically reduce injuries.
Use blue painters tape on the floor to create a visible barrier. Teach your children not to cross that line until you tell them it’s safe. When cooking is happening, that means they need supervision to enter the kitchen.
Shop for Appliances That Will Last
Appliances aren’t made to last like they used to. The average lifespan of today’s major home appliances ranges from 10-15 years. Compare that to older, mostly mechanical appliances that easily lasted 20-30 years.
What’s the reason for this dramatic change?
Appliances these days have so many features. Smart technology, digital displays, and sensors are convenient. But they also add more points of failure.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy these features. Just buy smarter.
When you’re in the market for new appliances look for these features in a family-friendly kitchen:
- Induction cooktops that stay cool to the touch and eliminate burning injuries
- Refrigerators with adjustable shelving to change as your family grows
- Dishwashers with child locks and quiet wash cycles
- Ranges with automatic shut-off to prevent kitchen fires
According to The Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, 54% of homeowners want to replace all appliances during a kitchen remodel. Previously only 31% preferred this “all at once” strategy.
Once you invest in new appliances they should all work together and have a similar life expectancy. Pro-tip: Keep a spreadsheet with purchase dates and warranty information. You’ll know when appliances are getting up there in years and can budget for replacements.
Family Friendly Kitchen Ideas That Will Grow With Your Family
You shouldn’t need to renovate your kitchen every time your family grows. Kitchen renovations are pricey. Pick design elements that serve you through every stage of life.
Invest in flexible storage options:
You need cabinets with child locks during the toddler years. Teenagers seem to be always hungry. Empty nest cooking requires easy access to everything.
Solution? Adjustable shelves.
Pull out drawers for lower cabinets allow everyone to access items without bending over or climbing. And later in life these features allow aging parents and grandparents to keep their independence in the kitchen longer.
Think about counter height:
Standard counter height is great for adults but what about kids? Children love to help cook and won’t climb on counters like they used too.
Try these counter workarounds instead:
- A lowered section on kitchen island for young chefs
- Step stools with safety bars kept in lower cabinets
- A breakfast bar at the standard height doubles as a homework desk
Use layered lighting that everyone will enjoy:
Most kitchens only use a single overhead light. But using layers of lighting allows you to customize how well different areas of the kitchen are lit.
Install under cabinet lights for prep areas. Pendant lights over kitchen islands look beautiful and provide ample task lighting. Nightlights by the floor guide middle-of-the-night sip of water without waking the whole house.
Make Smart Appliance Investments
Investing in quality appliances means you’ll need appliance repair services down the road. Don’t wait until your fridge stops working to find a trustworthy repair company.
Know who to call before you need them.
Building a relationship with local appliance repair technicians means they’re more likely to squeeze you into a busy schedule. When your refrigerator dies during a summer heat wave, you want that repair tech answering your call.
These are several signs it might be time to call for professional repair:
- Strange noises
- Takes longer than normal to complete cycles
- Visible wear and tear on seals
- Inconsistent heating or cooling
- Your electric bill has skyrocketed
Most repair bills can be fixed for a small fraction of what you’d pay for replacements. Catching issues early can help you avoid the emergency repair fees.
Final Thoughts
Building a kitchen that will work with your family through every stage of life is possible. Start with these key tips and you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of them sooner.
Kid-safe kitchens require advance planning. Opt for safety features first, then move onto family-friendly designs and appliances that will stand the test of time.
Remember, your kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where you cook meals with family, teach kids how to cook, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Family Friendly Kitchen Ideas Recap:
- Use child safety locks, barriers and store appliances safely to keep kids protected
- Appliances should be long-lasting and have safety features
- Kitchen layouts should have adjustable storage and counters
- Properly maintaining appliances can help extend their life expectancy
- Build a relationship with local repair companies to help when you need them.