Designing a kitchen that welcomes both kids and adults—without sacrificing style—can feel like a daunting task. But with the right materials and smart design choices, you can design a kitchen that’s durable, stylish, and ready for everything from morning cereal to summer pool parties. Remodeling homes for her clients and their families, as well as her own, I asked Folsom interior designer Angela Ungureanu to share her ideas for creating a stylish and durable kitchen that is also kid friendly. Her philosophy is, “I believe in designing homes where memories are made in beautiful, thoughtful spaces that support every stage of life without compromising on style.”
1. Choose Durable, Beautiful Kitchen Surfaces
Kitchens are high-traffic zones, especially during summer break when little feet seem to be constantly racing in for snacks, drinks, or impromptu baking sessions. That’s why it’s essential to choose materials that can take a beating—and still look stunning.
Designer top picks:
- Quartz countertops: Virtually maintenance-free, consistent in color, and resilient to spills and stains. Angela recommends Cambria Quartz for its wide range of stylish patterns that mimic natural stone but with zero fuss and excellent warranty.
- Wide plank engineered hardwood: Offers the warmth of real wood with enhanced durability, perfect for busy family life. Oak and maple are popular, durable species known for withstanding heavy use.
- Quality kitchen hardware: Not just pretty to look at, but high-quality hardware made from materials like brass can withstand frequent use and maintain their appearance for years. A bonus, kitchen hardware will protect your cabinetry’s finish from oils and dirt in high traffic areas like the kitchen.
2. Design for Real Life, Not Just for Kids
“The goal is to make your kitchen kid-resilient, not kid-only”, explains Angela. Avoid overly kid aesthetics and instead opt for furniture and finishes that balance comfort with long-term style.
Look for:
- Stain-resistant upholstery in adult styles—think upholstered kitchen barstools, performance fabrics, soft table corners, and timeless designs that won’t look out of place as your kids grow.
- Kid-friendly kitchen rugsand runners from brands like Masland, which offer soft, stylish options that are also tough enough to handle spills, dirt and stomping feet. Choosing a wool style will ensure your rugs, with proper care, maintain their appearance for years to come. Wool fibers are naturally strong and resilient, allowing them to withstand heavy foot traffic in any room in the home.
- Timeless materials in neutral palettes to design your kitchen base, and change out art, textiles, or accessories as your kids grow.
- Cabinets with soft-close hinges to prevent little fingers from getting caught and to ensure longevity of your kitchen cabinets.
3. Go Matte Where It Matters
Do you fear fingerprints and smudges on your kitchen finishes? Glossy finishes may look sleek in magazines, but they quickly become fingerprint magnets in real life. Matte finishes are more forgiving, especially on cabinetry and fixtures. A kitchen design trend that is quickly becoming popular, matte finishes are appearing on everything from appliances to flooring.
- Choose matte wood finishes for kitchen cabinets and floors—they hide wear and tear far better than their shiny counterparts.
- For walls, try Benjamin Moore Scuff-X. Its low VOC formulas are specially designed for high-traffic areas like the kitchen. Scuff-X is a sophisticated low-sheen finish that offers easy cleaning, and is chip resistant, even in the most challenging spaces.
- Faucets and fixtures in matte and flat finishes are elegant and becoming increasingly popular due to their durability and resistance to dirt and scratches. Even water stains are less noticeable on some finishes. New brushed bronze and copper finishes add a fresh twist to classic kitchen designs, blending timeless elegance with contemporary style.
Best Kid Friendly Design Choices for Your Existing Kitchen
Not starting from scratch? With so many ways to incorporate kid friendly design into a kitchen renovation, I asked Angela to share her tips for adding kid friendly essentials to an existing kitchen space.
- Don’t compromise “nice” things entirely, instead, choose well-made, stain-resistant pieces that look beautiful and hold up over time.
- Doinstall adjustable storage systems and organizers in cabinets and pantries so the same cabinetry works overtime. This will help keep items organized and tucked away, but still within reach. Too many bookcases, bins, and cubbies can make a kitchen feel like a storage room.
- Don’t over theme your space. Think timeless, not trendy. Keep bold colors and kid patterns in the bedroom.
- Do have a well thought out plan. Not planning for change can make your space look tired and disjointed. Kids grow fast; invest in pieces that evolve rather than starting from scratch every few years.
Creating a kitchen that’s family-friendly and fashion forward isn’t about choosing between beauty and practicality, it’s about blending them thoughtfully. With the right surfaces, finishes, and furniture, your kitchen can be a stylish summer hub for snacks, crafts, and entertaining—all year long.
How to Start Your Kid Friendly Kitchen Renovation
Looking for help bringing your kid-friendly kitchen vision to life? Consider working with a designer like Angela Ungureanu who understands how to merge style with real-life functionality. A designer with Designing Dreams Flooring and Remodeling for over four years, she is committed to helping you renovate and expertly design a home that fits your family and lifestyle. Book a free estimate (https://www.ddflooring.com/free-estimate) with her today.
By Caroline Sanders
Design Blogger for Designing Dreams Flooring & Remodeling
