Whether you’re looking to buy a new home in Scottsdale or just want a kitchen makeover for your current home, you should keep your children in mind when it comes to this part of the home. After all, the kitchen is a popular spot for all members of the family.
Check out these ways to make your kitchen more accessible and comfortable for the youngest members of the household.
Lots of Counter Space on the Kitchen Island
If you want to keep an eye on your kids after school, make it easy with a spacious kitchen island where they will feel comfortable sitting down to have a snack or do homework. This way, you can talk to them or help with homework while you prepare dinner, wash the dishes, or enjoy your own snack or drink in the kitchen.
Make sure you provide comfortable seating for them at the island. Padded chairs or stools with backs are often the best choice for children of all ages. Keep in mind that the shorter the height of the island and chairs, the better for younger children.
Storage Space and Appliances Within Reach of Children
If you want to encourage your children to be self-sufficient, make sure the kitchen in your Scottsdale home has a few drawers within reach of little hands. You can keep sippy cups, plastic plates and bowls, and child-sized silverware in the lower drawers and cabinets of your kitchen island.
Some families even choose to keep appliances low to the ground so kids can easily reach them. For example, some Scottsdale homes have a microwave built in to the kitchen island, making it eye level with most children so they can heat up their own food once they’re old enough. You can also dedicate one of the lower drawers of your refrigerator to healthy snacks that children love, or even install a separate mini refrigerator to store beverages for the kids to grab.
Softer Kitchen Floors
If you’re always worried about your children dropping fragile items – such as glasses – in the kitchen, consider swapping out the typical tile for softer floors. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to install carpet in your kitchen! There are plenty of other choices, with linoleum and vinyl being just a few flooring options.
If you want the look of hardwood with a more forgiving surface, look into bamboo flooring. It’s durable and beautiful, and a little softer than tile. But the ultimate in softer flooring is cork, which is popular among families that want a well-cushioned, eco-friendly floor. When you drop a glass on cork, it won’t shatter, which means you can breathe a sigh of relief when the kids are in the kitchen.
Child-Friendly Interior Design Choices
If you’re looking for some even simpler ways to turn your kitchen into a safe, appealing place for the younger members of the family, start by choosing bright colors when you paint the walls. Chalkboard paint on one of the walls is another option, making it easy for you and the rest of your family to leave notes to each other in the kitchen. If you don’t feel like painting the kitchen, you can at least hang a chalkboard or whiteboard on the wall.
You should also make sure any furniture in the room is easy to clean. If you get bar stools for your kitchen island, opt for leather on the cushioned area, since it’s easier to clean than suede or fabric. This way, you can keep the furnishings in your Scottsdale home looking nice for years, even if you have young children using it.
You can also apply these tips to your current kitchen if you’re planning to stay in your home for a while and want to upgrade a few details. Or you can contact The Matheson Team for help finding a Scottsdale home with a beautiful kitchen that will suit your family!
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-360-0281
don@scottsdalerealestate.com
