As the kitchen is the centre of the home in many households, in a large busy family it is best to consider your lifestyle when designing your kitchen. Set up your cooking space to cater to family gatherings, small children, and busy schedules with low maintenance options in mind. Minimal chaos and maximum organisation along with the following design tips will create a family-friendly kitchen to suit your busy household.

Low-Maintenance Surfaces
Kitchen bench tops are the most used surface in the kitchen and should be made out of the most durable materials as you will be regularly wiping up food, spills and stains. Use low-maintenance and tough materials such as laminate, Caesarstone or stainless steel so you can spend less time cleaning your kitchen and more time entertaining your guests or eating with your children. Timber and natural stone are popular and family-friendly options for kitchen flooring.

Suitable Storage
Think about how your family will use your kitchen. Inaccessible storage is essential when living with small children. Install higher storage for your delicate china and dinnerware to keep them out of reach. Store things your children will regularly use such as plastic cups, plates and bowls at a lower level but keep fragile and dangerous items in your higher cabinets. It is a good idea to install visible storage with easy organisation such as pull out drawers and wire baskets for frequently used items and supplies.

Open Plan Layout
A free-flowing and open planned kitchen is ideal for families as you can see the entire floor area of your home and keep an eye on your children while you are cooking. An open kitchen design will open it up to your living and entertainment areas and is optimal for multi-tasking. Make the most of the centre of your kitchen by adding a large multifunctional kitchen island. It can double as a preparation area and a dining table for an eat-in kitchen.

Plenty of Seating
As the kitchen is a natural gathering place in the house, maximise your space and create different areas for different activities. Utilise a dining area with comfortable seating for family mealtimes and a separate small sitting area for children to read or do homework while you prepare dinner close by.

Use these design tips during your next kitchen renovation for a kitchen your whole family will love and enjoy. Our designers here at Harrington Kitchens consider your whole family and lifestyle while designing your dream kitchen to ensure that all bases are covered and to make sure you get the most out of your kitchen.

Harrington Kitchens offers a wide variety of kitchen designs and styles including:

For more information on our various kitchen designs, please visit our Gallery. Our Gallery brings together a selection of our custom kitchen designs ranging from traditional to contemporary kitchens. Each kitchen style has the flexibility to work in any home environment and can be designed to suit all tastes and budgets.

The entire Harrington Kitchens team is focused on designing kitchens that utilise premium materials and offer each and every customer the highest level of service. Harrington Kitchens partners with the best quality kitchen suppliers within the kitchen manufacturing industry and employs experienced and professional tradesmen to ensure the longevity of your custom designed kitchen.

For a free quote and free design consultation please contact us at Harrington Kitchens on (02) 4647 4474 or submit an online enquiry, alternatively you are welcome to visit the Harrington Kitchens Showroom at 12 Graham Hill Road Narellan NSW or 5 Old Hume Highway, Mittagong NSW.

See more great kitchen ideas in our Online Gallery.