How to Make Your Kitchen a Family Room

When designed correctly, a kitchen can be the most family-focused room in any home. When designed without family in mind, it can be the loneliest place for the family member who takes care of the cooking and cleaning. If you're always in the kitchen but still want to spend more time with your partner and children, you need to make your kitchen a place where all of you can coexist harmoniously. If you're planning a kitchen renovation in the future, here are two inclusions that will make it more of a family room.

Create a Workspace for Your Partner

If you're the one who takes care of the household tasks while your partner goes out to work, it can be difficult to find time to spend together. In many careers, workers don't get to stop working when they clock out; they often have to bring tasks home with them, which can keep them in the office for hours on end. But if you bring an office space into your kitchen, you and your partner will be able to keep each other company while attending to your own obligations. If you do add a workspace to your kitchen, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Make sure the area has power outlets that your partner can plug their laptop into and ensure it's as far away from water sources as possible. On top of that, make good use of pull-out shelves and cabinets—this way, you can keep printers and other computing equipment nearby without taking up too much space or making the room look unsightly. Finally, remember that you'll need durable flooring that won't be damaged by an office chair rolling around.

Install a Low Counter for Your Children

One great way to bring your kids into the kitchen is to install a lower countertop that's more accessible to their smaller bodies. The great thing about a low counter is that it can be used in two ways. If you're cooking something the kids can help out with, a low counter is a great place for them to start building their culinary skills. There, they can mix batter and cut cookies to their heart's content without you worrying about them toppling off a stool. Alternatively, on those days when you need to cook alone but just want your kids where you can keep an eye on them, pulling a seat over to the counter gives them somewhere they can play with small toys and board games, draw and colour and enjoy other activities. You can keep all these things in a drawer or cupboard over the counter so that they're easy to use.

For more information on kitchen renovations, contact your local remodelling contractors today. 

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