Is your child showing interest in learning how to cook? If so, now may be a great time to push through with a kitchen remodeling project. Your kitchen’s design plays a big role in making food preparation fun for your children. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind as you redesign your kitchen.
Add Various Counter Heights in the Prep Area
Most young children won’t be tall enough to work on an adult-sized countertop. Although a stool addresses this problem, using it restricts movement and presents a fall risk. Consider lowering a section of the counter to make it easier for your child to reach the counter for food preparation. This lowered section is best placed next to where you usually prep food so you can watch over your children better.
Plan for Proper Lighting in the Kitchen Throughout the Day
Improved lighting is one of the most common changes made during a kitchen remodel. It becomes even more important if you want to design a kitchen that encourages your kids to learn how to cook. Proper lighting from sun up to sun down ensures your children are able to see exactly what they’re doing at all times, as well as makes it easier for them to read recipes. Installing overhead lighting right on top of the prep area is a great way to ensure proper lighting.
Designate Cabinets for Child-Sized Cookware and Ingredients
When picking out new cabinets and drawers, try to choose some with your kids in mind. Having two or three smaller cabinets is a good idea so children can easily access their cookware and ingredients. Building a space in the kitchen that your kids can call their own also helps foster a sense of responsibility for that given space and encourages your kids to keep that section organized.
Pick Out Countertops That Make Cleaning a Breeze
Young children will undoubtedly spill ingredients or sauces on the counter as they prepare food alongside you. Surely, you wouldn’t want your kids to stop cooking just because the clean-up after proves to be a challenge. That said, it’s a good idea to choose countertops that are stain-resistant and easy-to-clean. There are many countertop materials that have these qualities. Top choices include quartz, solid surface, and soapstone. These three countertop materials are widely prized for being stain-resistant.
Install a Blackboard to Let Your Children Plan the Week’s Menu
You may be tempted to add as much storage space as possible to your kitchen—and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. After all, storage is a premium in busy spaces like the kitchen. If you can spare some space, however, you may want to leave a section of the wall bare so you can have your contractor install a blackboard for writing the week’s menu. This blackboard lets your children choose which dishes they want to learn and cook alongside you. As your child becomes more comfortable in the kitchen, you can leave certain days blank and let your child choose the dinner for those nights.
Aside from these five tips, be sure to consult a trusted kitchen remodeling company in Atlanta like Sterling Works. Designers from these companies can also provide you with additional suggestions to make your kitchen more kid-friendly, creating a space that actively develops your kids’ love for cooking.
Sources:
5 Tips to Make Your Kitchen More Kid Friendly, Parents.com
Creating a Family-Friendly Kitchen, HGTV.com
