Why you should consider kitchen design for a busy family's lifestyle

Choosing the right kitchen design and installation is imperative for a busy and active family; regardless of your taste, there are some key factors to bear in mind. You may want to consider fitted kitchens that offer plenty of space, possibly an open plan kitchen design, with a central hub for all the family to congregate and socialise. A carefully thought-through plan and collaboration with experienced kitchen planners will offer a good insight into the features and make life a little bit easier in the kitchen area.

Kitchens are more than just a workspace; they are the central focus of any household.

With a busy family, attention to detail is crucial to overall functionality. With little ones around, well-planned kitchen cabinetry for easy access is always beneficial, where your little explorers can access games, snacks and other items where there is no need to climb up high on work surfaces! A clutter-free zone with plenty of storage is ideal, creating more space for family activities and downtime to lounge, cook together and socialise.

Why not speak to our team of kitchen designers about your broken plan living.

Choosing a new kitchen to cater for the family is an exciting time, an opportunity to be inspired and unlock the true potential that will benefit the entire household. Many modern kitchens suit individual needs; for example, the broken layout design is perfect for a busy family; where multiple adjoining zones separate various activities but where you are all still involved, close by and still interacting. An open-plan kitchen is ideal for this, where the central cooking hub is the main focal point, but surrounding areas offer a variety of spaces to relax, read, do homework, play games, or watch TV. If you have little ones, a central island is ideal when prepping food; you can keep a close eye on them and assist them when required. Also, having a table next to the island means you are always within easy reach.

A kitchen designed for child safety

Kitchens can be hazardous places, especially for small children, but carefully planned and thought through custom kitchens can be safe havens for all the family to work and rest with peace of mind that potential accidents become minimised. A kitchen island is technically a peninsula; it serves as a barrier, controlling flow through the workspace and reducing the risk of play colliding with meal time. Wall ovens installed at heights will keep your curious little ones at bay.

Also, strategically placed kitchen storage for items such as knives and glassware will further reduce the risk of breakages and potential harm.

For busy families, your new kitchen must be robust to withstand time.

You won't tire of durable materials in timeless hues and minimal patterns. Porcelain tiles are also solid and hardwearing to withstand the demands of daily family life without showing age and can also benefit from heating from below for additional comfort.

Quality materials will also grace aesthetically for decades, which will also help your home retain its value. They'll need replacing less often, saving you money and protecting the environment due to their sustainable longevity.

Invest in smart kitchen storage

As any kitchen supplier will agree, one of the critical factors to a smooth running and functional modern kitchen is because of the storge. In the early planning stages of your kitchen design and installation, it's imperative to consider the family's needs, especially in a household with lots of little ones. Not only does the storage and access need to be well planned, but it also has to integrate with other spaces of the kitchen area to ensure it works to its full potential. Within a bustling kitchen with family, friends and dinner guests, de-cluttering quickly and efficiently is paramount and enables you to create space for food preparation, keep breakables out of reach and aesthetically enjoy the overall surroundings.

Explore modern kitchen appliances to save you time

Whether you opt for a contemporary, timeless, classic shaker or country style kitchen, opt for kitchen appliances that will work in unison and that match the everyday demands of your busy family. An integrated dishwasher, a central island cooking zone and self-cleaning ovens are just some of the many modern appliances that offer a time-saving and easy route to ensure you spend more time with the family and less time on kitchen chores.

The benefits of a new kitchen extension

One of the best ways to alleviate the chaos a busy family can bring to the kitchen is to create plenty of open space. It's much easier to avoid potential collisions when there is room for multiple people to move around the kitchen, especially a large family with little ones! If your kitchen doesn't offer the utilisation of existing space, then kitchen extensions are the perfect solution. Working closely with planners and kitchen builders will provide insight and inspiration and enable you to choose the right way to expand your kitchen area. Whether a single-storey, L-shaped or other, space is everything when you are a busy household, and where the kitchen is undoubtedly the most used room in the house.

Do you have room for a kitchen island?

A kitchen island will offer more space for your family, including storage and seating, where the family can gather, work, relax and entertain.

It also enables many family members to be in the kitchen at once, providing ample space to prep, cook and eat. A kitchen island with seating can act as both informal and formal; it's ideal for a quick breakfast snack and a drink but also an ambient central hub with mood lighting where guests can relax, kick back, and enjoy the preparation of the meal soon to arrive.

You will need durable kitchen surfaces.

Busy families create a lot of activity in the kitchen, and where there is action, there is usually a mess! Quite often, when many people are in one place at once, it causes the potential for spills and crumbs. Choosing durable and easy-to-clean worktops and surfaces for your kitchen enables a much faster clean-up of what a busy family can leave behind. Robust kitchen work surfaces will also withstand constant use by all the family, so opting for a durable worktop is a good investment that will ultimately save you time and money in the future and one that is a good investment which will add value to the home.

Are you a busy family looking for a modern new kitchen for your home? Speak to the expert team and Plum Kitchens

Plum Kitchens are a kitchen company unrivalled in their expert industry knowledge from design, installation, electrical and plumbing and all in-between. You can learn more about our Plum complete service here. We cater to everyone, no matter your busy family's taste, budget, or size! Our comprehensive kitchen package provides a unique service that oversees your kitchen design from concept to installation. Our dedicated team will ensure your kitchen supply and fit offers everything you could ever need for your family. With our unparalleled experience and professionalism, you are certainly in the best hands regarding your new kitchen.