According to the recent Houzz and Home Survey, kitchen remodel projects still top the list when it comes to home renovations and residential constructions. Homeowners find it necessary to change the kitchen in order to accommodate the changing needs of a family, and this is most especially needed when a family is growing and the kids’ needs take precedence over you and your spouse’s. But just what exactly do you have to keep in mind when renovating and you have kids?
Your kitchen should not be a kid-free zone
At the outset, if you can, free up spaces and tear down unnecessary walls that not only block your view from your kids, they also make your kitchen look small. Unobstructed space not only looks good, it’s also safe for your kids. In the UK, the annual Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System report says children get injured in the kitchen more than in any other room in the house. To avoid mishaps, plan the structure and layout of your kitchen carefully. Opt for smooth edges or corners for your kitchen countertops or free-standing furniture. Consider proximity of walls and surfaces to appliances and put a nice distance between them. Ask your contractor for fire-proof or water-proof materials if you can spend for them, for your peace of mind. Choose rough but easy-to clean materials for surfaces that are usually walked on or used by your kids. Rough surface creates friction that prevents your kids from slipping, and being easy-to-clean reduces your kids catching sicknesses.

Opt for Durability over Aesthetics
Not only do kids love hanging around when you cook or bake, they could also inadvertently spill cranberry juice or cause some major damage on your countertop. But instead of barring your kids from your fancy kitchen, you can plan your kitchen details with them in mind. Ask a contractor like Palm Springs Construction for child-friendly materials. Most contractors would recommend granite countertops as is the norm, but if it’s not within your means, ask for an alternative material that can be as durable. Wood looks good and warm, but it could not prove damage or scratch-proof to your kids’ misuse (or abuse) Steel looks cold, but with a nice backsplash with colors, and accessorizing your kitchen strategically, this is easily resolved. You can always reconcile function and aesthetics by creatively choosing and planning. Write down the challenges you have in your existing kitchen, and list them down vis-à-vis the child-friendly ideas that you have found on the Net or magazines.

Fancy Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
Showroom-looking kitchen are as fancy as they are priced exorbitantly. That doesn’t mean that you can’t copy and make a personalized version of it for your kitchen. Most of us think that the labels we want used in our family kitchen like “scratch-proof”, “spill-proof”, “stain-repellent” cost a lot. What you can do is strategize so you won’t have to spend a fortune on everything. As with having a sound structure that proves practical in the long-run, some products and materials are also worth your money if they deliver for a long time. A good rule of thumb is splurge on stuff that you know you’re going to use even when your kids are teenagers. For example a marble countertop may cost a lot, but if you choose a classic, neutral shade, and your supplier has sealed it well, you can count on being able to not having to replace it soon.