The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the entire house: it is where the evening meals are prepared and where the family gathers to share the comings and goings of the day. Due to this focus on the family, the design of the space should reflect this by being fully functional and capable of meeting the needs of several generations. Fortunately, there are many ways you can create a family-friendly kitchen layout; some of them are described below.

The first aspect that you should take into account when designing your kitchen is the location of the refrigerator, oven, and sink. With a busy family life, preparing meals as quickly and easily as possible is the top priority. Mornings are often hectic, trying to eat breakfast and pack the kids’ lunches for school. The same can be said for nights when all you want to do is feed the kids and put them to bed so you can relax. By placing your oven, sink, and refrigerator in a ‘work triangle,’ your family can feed themselves much faster.

It is also of the utmost importance that you carefully consider the floor plan before finalizing your kitchen design. Think about how your kitchen is commonly used: is the space just for preparing meals or do you eat in there too? Are adults the only people using the space, or do children like to sit on the bench with you? The answers to these questions will help you decide on a floor plan that will keep everyone happy.

These days, the latest in family kitchen designs is to have the space attached to a living room in the home. In most cases, this is the dining room, but it can also be the living room or a combination of both. This ensures that the family can still be together while mom or dad cooks dinner. Children can watch TV or do homework knowing that their parents are nearby and can help them if they need it.

The final aspect of your kitchen design that needs to be considered is the way the storage space is organized. If you have tall cabinets, be sure to use them to store your fine china and other breakable items you don’t want children getting their hands on. Use low cabinets to store the crockery and cutlery you need daily and that children can use. As you plan your storage, think about how things are placed in your pantry and refrigerator—keep things kids can’t get out of reach.