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Family Friendly Kitchens: Kitchen Renovations When You're Expecting

Author: The Maker
by The Maker
Posted: May 22, 2018

If you are expecting or even just planning to have a baby, and are wondering how to make your home a good place to raise a child, you can start with kitchen renovations that will make your kitchen baby-friendly, toddler-friendly, and kid-friendly. When making plans for remodeling your kitchen with a baby in mind, remember that as they grow their needs will change so anticipate their changing needs when you make your renovation plans. Here are some ideas to help.

Opt for an open plan layout.

You'll want a user-friendly kitchen and an open plan layout where the kitchen, dining, and living areas flow into the other will make this happen. Include having a kitchen island in your remodel if your kitchen doesn't have this yet. This kitchen feature is a great multitasker: not only will you be preparing food here, this area can also serve as an informal dining table, a snack bar, and eventually where kids can do their homework as you prepare dinner. If space is available, have a kids' zone away from the stove and sink. This can be as simple as a bench or a few chairs and a table with books, art materials, or a few toys to keep small children occupied as you work in the kitchen.

Build in storage solutions with a growing family in mind.

Kitchen renovation ideas for a growing family mainly involves designing storage solutions that are adaptable as the family grows and needs evolve. When still expecting, look into storage areas where the baby's supplies can be organised and are within easy reach. Have space in the counter for appliances such as steriliser for feeding bottles.

Build in lower cabinets with drawers that fully extend so that you, and in a few years' time the kids, can easily reach food items or utensils. As the kids grow and learn how to make their own snacks while you prepare dinner, having their things in these lower cabinets mean that they don't have to climb on chairs or on the countertop to get their cups, dishes, glasses, and utensils. Sharp and breakable items can then be safely put in the higher cabinets, out of small children's reach.

Install safety features.

Include installing safety features in your kitchen renovation even if the baby hasn't been born yet. Expect to be fully occupied once the baby arrives so it's best to have everything ready before then. Babies grown into toddlers pretty fast, and in this phase they are curious about everything in the house. Install cabinet locks to prevent the little explorers from getting into kitchen supplies that could potentially endanger them.

You may want to replace your countertops if they hang over the edge of cabinets, and especially if they have sharp corners. This is often where small children hit their heads when they run around the house or when they pull themselves up to standing. Replace these countertops into those with rounded corners and where the edges are in line with the cabinets.

Make things convenient with surfaces that are easy to clean.

Lastly, choose kitchen surfaces that are easy to clean. Spilled food and drinks are the norm in a house with babies and children, and while this can't be avoided, you can make things easier for you by making cleaning up fast and efficient. Stain-resistant, durable, and easy to wipe surfaces such as quartz, laminate, and corian are recommended for countertops. These are also more shock absorbent than materials like granite and glass tiles which means that glasses and plates carelessly placed on them won't break right away. Same goes for the floor, choose an easy to clean material like porcelain tiles, to lessen the stress of cleaning up.

Life changes when you are planning or going to have a new baby. The best way to be better equipped to deal with this big change is to plan ahead. Remodeling your kitchen so it would meet your family's needs as it grows is best done before the baby arrives. While you still have more free time, spend this wisely and look for a reliable company who does kitchen renovations in Perth to work with you in making your family-friendly kitchen a reality.

About the Author

Kitchen designs can be a confusing stumbling block. AT The Maker, we provide a professional kitchen design and manufacturing service. Our new kitchen designs are inspired by the best in contemporary European design.

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Author: The Maker

The Maker

Member since: May 29, 2017
Published articles: 29

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