Kitchen Upgrades to Fit Your Family Lifestyle

Many people consider their kitchen to be the heart and soul of the home. For those with big families— or a friend group that feels like family— having enough space to gather and entertain is of the utmost importance.

If you’re struggling in your existing space, there are several kitchen upgrades you can make for a more family-oriented room. Here are some of the best kitchen upgrades to fit your family lifestyle.

Create More Functional Storage

Two of the biggest challenges modern homeowners face in the kitchen are limited storage and insufficient counter space. These two issues tend to go hand-in-hand, as less storage typically means more stuff on your countertops.

To start creating more functional storage space, visit Best Online Cabinets and look at upgrading to better cupboards with adjustable shelves and add-ins. Trundle cabinets that have built-in drawers are perfect for storing small appliances in a convenient and accessible manner. It’s also worth looking at lazy Susan inserts for convenient pantry storage in otherwise inaccessible corner cupboards.

Improve Accessibility

Many modern home designs are trending toward better accessibility for elderly people and people with mobility restrictions. In fact, some areas are making them a part of new residential building codes. These features can also help make your kitchen more family-friendly, promoting self-sufficiency for children.

Replace traditional cupboard knobs with handles for easier handling, and consider installing 34″ countertops than the traditional 36″. Touchless or lever control faucets also help improve accessibility while keeping your kitchen cleaner and germ-free. Pull-out shelves are a great form of functional storage that also promotes accessibility for children and people with mobility issues.

Use Durable Materials

When we think of the kitchen as a family space, we don’t typically consider durability. However, if you shift the focus to the living room, it’s more top of mind; big families don’t tend to invest in expensive white couches.

Consider the “white couch” areas in your kitchen: the countertops, for example. Rather than choosing a porous, fragile surface like quartz or granite, consider a vinyl or butcher block top until the kids move out. These materials are more forgiving and more affordable to repair should an issue arise.

If your kitchen is a family gathering place, you’ll want to have an easy-to-clean backsplash installed as well. Rather than scrubbing spaghetti sauce on the wall while trying not to lift the paint, a tile backsplash makes it easy to wipe down messes and keep your kitchen clean.

Finally, consider leaving the white kitchen trend for the retirement years. Use colors that help hide grime with sealant and gloss that promote easy cleaning. Rather than opting for ornate cupboard doors with small edges to scrub, keep it simple with Scandinavian or Quaker cabinets.

Create Gathering Spaces

Creating places to sit and gather in your kitchen can encourage your favorite people to spend more time there. Consider adding an island with bar stools on one side so your family and friends can sit and catch up while you cook. If you have a small kitchen, you could add a breakfast nook with built-in corner bench seating as an alternative.