Keep the Kids in Mind When Remodeling the Kitchen

Remodeling the kitchen will add immense value and pleasure to the average home and is one of the most satisfying projects you can undertake. Far too often though kids are completely left out of the remodeling process. This is perhaps understandable on some level, but should never be desirable. The fact, is it’s possible to end up with the highly efficient, beautifully realized kitchen you’ve always wanted while still accommodating the little ones in the process. Here are 6 ways to conduct a kitchen renovation with kids in mind.

• Use high and low shelving – Everyone has some items in their kitchen that need to be out of the reach of kids. This may include knives and/or hazardous cleaning materials. At the same time too many kitchens put things kids could benefit from out of their reach. So, create some high shelving for dangerous items and low shelving for juice boxes, coloring books, plastic cups and other things the kids will use.

• Install anti-slip flooring – Kids are balls of energy that spend more time running around than they do sitting still. The problem is that when you match this running with a wet slippery kitchen floor you’re asking for slips and potentially serious injuries. There are lots of different flooring options available today for home renovations in Toronto that are visually compelling but also contain a bit of texture so that kids (and grandparents for that matter) won’t wind up slipping and hurting themselves.

• Avoid surfaces that stain easily – Quartz countertops have a timeless appeal that’s right up there with marble or granite. It’s also typically more affordable than those other natural stones. That’s the good news. The bad news is that quartz stains pretty easily. Imagine having just installed a beautiful quartz countertop during your kitchen renovation only to have your little one spill grape juice on it and leave an indelible stain. That’s a position neither you nor they should ever be in. Clean Image of Orlando is a marble restoration company in Orlando FL that the locals can trust.

• Choose stable appliances – Electric toasters, electric water kettles, coffee pots, blenders and more should all expand toward the bottom and be heavier at the base as well. This way they are far more difficult for your child to accidentally tip over. Also, make sure any power cords are tucked away behind the device close to the wall. And not laying exposed across the counter where they can be grabbed and yanked.

• Employ rounded corners – Kitchen countertops – especially natural stone kitchen countertops – typically come with sharp, 90 degree corners by default. However, as these are often at the height of a growing child’s head they can represent a real and serious danger. During a kitchen renovation make sure your new countertops have rounded corners. These are not only many times safer for your child but they also give the kitchen a subtly softer countenance than it would have with sharp corners.

• Install locking cabinets – New cabinets are usually one of the hallmarks of a kitchen renovation. But cabinets represent the unknown to small children who are constantly busy exploring the new world they find themselves in. Take advantage of your kitchen renovation project to install new locking cabinets and drawers on the lower level. This is particularly important if you tend to store cleaning products – soaps, bleach, various spray cleaners and more – under the sink. You’ll sleep better knowing that the kids can’t hurt or poison themselves while you’re not looking.

The Bottom Line

Home renovations in Toronto should always be conducted with everyone in mind. That includes the kids. Some homeowners think that a kid safe kitchen has to mean compromising on the look and feel of the design. It doesn’t. You can still have a wonderfully compelling kitchen at the end of your renovation process and ensure it doesn’t represent a threat to the safety and health of your little ones.

Milman Design Build is one of the Toronto area’s premier kitchen renovation and remodeling companies. We put our years of experience and deep well of expertise to work on each and every project we have the privilege of working on. Give us a call to find out more about remodeling your kitchen in a way that works for everyone.