OR the things you MUST include when designing a family-friendly kitchen.
These days there are so many options when designing your family kitchen that it is difficult to really know what design trend works, and what is just a fad that you don’t need.
We see so many people spending their often limited hard earned renovation dollars on the next best kitchen trend to find it lets them down during the day-to-day chaos of family life.
In this post, Renovating Mums is going to share what Sydney mums have found to be their 18 BEST family friendly kitchen design decisions to help you on your renovating journey.
P.S Note this is a list of absolute favorites from the community. We may all have different experiences and budgets, but it is a great first step to inform your design decisions when planning your kitchen (and don’t forget to check out Part 2, the 10 BIGGEST regrets).
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1. Deep Drawers instead of cupboards
We love them! For ease of access and utilising all of the space available.
Tip: Consider pot drawers and drawers integrated into bottom of pantry instead of shelves.
2. Engineered Stone Benchtops
Looks and feels beautiful. More wear resistant than laminate, though you will need to watch little kids putting bowls and cups on it (think smash…). There are many suppliers to consider; Caesarstone, Quantum Quartz, SmartStone and Silestone to name just a few.
3. Soft Close Fittings
My personal favourite…but I had what felt like the worlds worst sleeper! Blum fittings are well-known to be one of the best. Hafele and Hettich are also good.
4. Power Points
Always make sure there’s enough above the bench. Don’t forget to consider USB points. I’ve even put power points in a cupboard so I could hide our modem in there.
5. Butlers pantry with worktops for larger appliances
If you have the space, do it. Anywhere where we can hide the mess to clean up later once the kids are organised is a bonus as well as the extra storage. If you are super organised these can become the ‘control room’ of the home, with checklists and bulk foodstuff storage. If you are entertainers, then this area can come into its own with additional dishwasher, oven, microwave….the options are endless.
6. Wine Storage
Enough said…we’re mums, we need it.
7. Built in pull-out rubbish & recycling bins
My absolute favorite in our new kitchen renovation. We have large pull-out bins that are integrated into the island bench (who would have thought you could be so excited by a rubbish bin?!). Looks sleek, functions beautifully and was well worth the additional cost rather than juggling small rubbish and recycling bins under the sink or a free standing.
8. Zip instant hot water / Filtered cold water tap
Super convenient; can fit boiling, chilled and even sparkling water! Comes in a variety of colours.
9. Two Ovens
Many mums loved the flexibility of two ovens. If you have space, do it!
10. Mixer Tap with pull-out spray hose
Matt black, polished or brushed chrome…these are amazing. From discreet pull-out nozzles for a minimalist look or with a spring construction to achieve a more industrial vibe. These are great for washing little bubbas in the sink (come on, we all do it), to our home hairdresser rinsing out colour. Spray hoses are a must have!
11. Double Sink
For all those family dishes that cannot go in a dishwasher. Second sink is useful for hiding the dish drainer (drying dishes are below bench height), for soaking or even cleaning veges and emptying water from pasta whilst your multi-tasking through witching hour.
Tip: Check that one of them is big enough to fit your pans in.
12. Overmount Sink
To protect those stone edges. Mums are finding that stone benchtops do have a tendency to chip, especially with children playing in the sink and with some heavy pots and pans.
There are many sink types out there that still have a sleek look with a narrow lip. I love Abey Lucia sinks and have one installed.
13. Check benchtops are deep enough for appliances
Check check double check that all the appliances you plan to use, actually fit on the benchtop and that you still have preparation space available. Let’s be honest, even though we all plan to hide them in the cupboard, they generally do end up living on the bench!
14. 3m Island Bench
Ideally an extra deep island bench so you can fit cupboards & drawers on the other side for extra storage for craft / games / stationery.
We have this in our small apartment. The extra storage is a dream and we really did not need a long breakfast bar when we also have a dining area. Such a fab flexible space.
15. Pull-out drawers in kickboard space
Perfect for platters and flat storage, and you can’t beat additional storage.
16. Cupboard with vertical partitions for baking trays
Super useful! Easy to see everything stored, and easy to access and slide out.
17. Hand soap and detergent nozzle fitted into benchtop beside tap
I love this idea! Reduces clutter from the benchtop. Simple but effective.
And Finally…
18. Wide cutlery drawers
Having cutlery and utensil drawers the same width as the pot drawers allows you space to easily see everything, including all the kids paraphilia. I have the Blum Orga-line for Tandembox dividing system and find it super flexible and tough wearing.
So there you go, the 18 BEST Family Friendly Design Decisions our renovating mums community have found to be fabulous. If you would like to know more or would like some advice then head over to our Facebook Group where you can ask for advice from fellow mums for free!
Or if you are hunting for recommended Kitchen Designers & Renovators in Sydney, check out our trades and services directory.
Happy renovating!
Great post! Had not thought about a charging station in a drawer or pull out drawers in the kick board space, what a great idea!
Looking forward to reading the “regrets” post as well.
a very informative blog. Thanks for sharing the advice. Keep up the good work!
A place to hang wet tea towels. I continuously have a couple of wet towels every time I’m working in the kitchen. An extra bin for food scraps for compost for those environmental lovers!
Great suggestions! Thank you x
This content makes sense. It is worth my time to read this. You are a good writer to sharing this insightful content. Great tips, we really appreciate your advice. We’re going to sketch out a plan for my kitchen remodeling ri and really excited to get everything planned out. I will consider your great tips. We both agreed that the kitchen remodel will take a couple of months to complete but we can’t wait to see it done. Looking forward to see more of your post. WIll definitely back on this page again.
I think it’s good that you mentioned the importance of ensuring that your appliances will fit on your benchtop while still give your access to preparation space. My wife and I have been thinking about having our kitchen remodeled with the money we inherited from my uncle, but we are worried that we may not have enough room for the cooking equipment we received as wedding presents. We’ll consider finding a remodeling service that can help us set up a wide benchtop for our kitchen.
Great tips, we really appreciate your advice. My wife and I are going to sketch out a plan for my kitchen remodeling in RI and I am really excited to get everything planned out and supplemented with your great suggestions. Thanks for sharing, glad to see your post again, as I am actually a fan of your posts!