Kitchens truly are the heart of every home. It’s where meals are prepared and often where families gather together for conversation, homework, and a host of other things. When you have small children, however, the kitchen can quickly become a danger zone.
The hard surfaces, sharp edges, and flammable content could result in your little ones getting hurt. While you may not be able to avoid all accidents, you can design your kitchen to make it safer and kid-friendly. Below are some suggestions on how to get this done.
Go With Rounded Countertops
Rounded countertops are highly recommended when kids are around. Gilmans Kitchens and Baths offer a wide variety of options to help you find the look you need. There are plenty of styles, colors, and materials to choose from so you don’t have to worry about ending up with something you don’t love. And having rounded edges will lessen the blow should your little toddler bump their head in the kitchen.
Choose Materials that Are Hygenic and Easy to Clean
Kids can wreak havoc on a kitchen. They spill, splatter, and drop items all over the floors and countertops causing a pretty big mess. Trying to get rid of those stains can be a real pain in the neck if you’ve chosen materials that are high-maintenance like marble. Instead, opt for countertop options like quartz or Corian as they’re easy to keep clean and can withstand anything your kids throw at it.
The same can be said about the floors. Your floors can end up looking dingy even after you’ve cleaned them if you’ve chosen the wrong types. Not to mention, should your kids fall, some flooring options are harder than others which cause a lot more damage. It is best to opt for kid-friendly flooring options like laminate tiles or hardwood floors.
Easily Accessible Countertops
Part of the reason young children end up hurting themselves or making a mess of the kitchen is due to their height. They’re not quite tall enough to see or access the countertops and tables. You can remedy this with your kid-friendly kitchen renovation by installing shorter countertops. You don’t have to do this throughout your entire kitchen, but having one area that’s a bit lower and easy to reach keeps them safe. Now they can grab a snack, pour a drink, or enjoy their food without making a mess.
Hands-Free Faucets
Due to height challenges, it can be hard for your kids to turn the water on. In severe cases, your kids might even turn on the hot water and burn themselves. To keep their tiny hands from getting burned it is best to install hands-free or touch-free faucets. These are faucets operate with a motion sensor. So, they turn on when they sense tiny hands moving about. They can also be set to a safe start temperature so they don’t accidentally burn themselves. These types of faucets are also recommended as they help to reduce the number of germs present in the kitchen and reduce risk of illness.
Plenty of Storage
It’s not uncommon for kids to try and do things on their own. Of course, they want to be just like mom and dad. They want to get their own snacks, pour their own drinks, and even prepare their own meals when they can. Trying to do this without the right kind of storage and access, however, causes a big mess and plenty of room for accidents to occur. When designing your kid-friendly kitchen, opt for storage that your children can easily access. Designate a drawer or cabinet that is within reach to store their dishes and utensils as well as their favorite snacks.
Your kitchen is supposed to be a place of comfort for your entire family. Yet kids in the kitchen can quickly turn it into a danger zone. If you have smaller children in the house it may be best to make renovations like those discussed above. Considering their health, safety, and comfort reduces the risk of them making a huge mess, damaging your kitchen, or even worse, harming themselves.
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