How to Keep Your Kitchen Beautiful as Your Family Grows
Dish up a space you'll love for the long haul with these fresh and simple design tips.
By A.J. Hanley
Media Platforms Design Team
The kitchen is your home's hot spot — and everyone wants a part of it. Key ingredients for a smart space? A functional workflow, durable materials, and a palette you can style around.
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1
When You've Got... A Baby
Media Platforms Design Team
With an infant in the house, dedicated work zones are especially crucial. Flank a lawn-themed bottle-drying rack next to the sink for both function and fun pop of color.
A high chair has limited use, of course. But to get more bang for your buck, choose a height-adjustable model like this one, which converts to a booster seat for 3- to 5-year-olds. Look for a sturdy style that won't clash with your décor, plus removable or easy-to-clean parts.
You've already childproofed your space by moving all hazardous items out of reach of tiny hands. Still, toddlers like to help, so consider giving them a dedicated drawer or cabinet (come on, you can spare one!) stocked with cooking supplies of their own. A stash of pretend food and baking tools will keep your chef-in-training occupied — and still in sight — while you get dinner ready.
Busy parents know command stations are a must. With a small swath of counter space and an organizing caddy or two, you'll corral permission slips, receipts, and reminders and never find yourself scavenging for a pen again.
Desk organizer, magnetic chalkboard, containers and planners, target.com
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5
When You've Got... Elementary Schoolers
Media Platforms Design Team
Spills and sticky fingers shouldn't stop you from picking stylish pieces that match your home's scheme. For effortless wipe-down and long-term durability, equip your kitchen with seating upholstered in an indoor/outdoor fabric like Sunbrella.
If math equations and essay-writing are often on the weeknight agenda, your kitchen table will likely do double duty as a desk. The marble top on this one has a hard finish and light color — factors that make scratches less visible.
When the baby bottles, high chairs, and home stations are no more, you can finally get back to your kitchen's starring role: cooking central! Nothing freshens a kitchen like a few fresh herbs in your favorite vintage pots.