Gourmet or entertainment-focused kitchens are extremely popular in today’s new homes, but creating family-friendly kitchens that accommodate everyone is even more important to many homeowners. A space to prep meals as well as an area for friends and family to sit and talk to you while you get ready for your big holiday dinner, is when a large, open-style concept kitchen comes in handy. Here are the top 5 things to remember when you’re developing a family-centered kitchen.

Tip #1: Ask yourself important questions before you build or remodel the kitchen.
When you’re building or remodeling your kitchen, keep in mind that your kitchen is the heart of your home and it needs to be adaptable as time goes on. So, think long term. Consider how many children you have and how they may need to learn to use the kitchen as time goes by. Think about your family gatherings, how often you entertain, and how large the groups are that you generally serve. In addition, think about how much time you spend in the kitchen and what items are “essential” and what are simply “nice-to-have” items. You want your kitchen to be functional for many years to come.

Tip #2: Remember open concepts are usually the best for families.
The kitchen and living room are probably the most used rooms in your household, so having those two rooms flow together as much as possible is a great idea. For example, if you have young children that enjoy playing in the living room, it’s great to have a kitchen that overlooks that area so you can cook or clean while you keep an eye on the kids in the other room.

Tip #3: Don’t forget your pets.
Your pets are part of the family, too! So don’t forget to include an area where you can put their food bowls as well as storage bins that are built into the cabinetry. Be sure that this is in an area that is out of the way of significant foot traffic so you or your family doesn’t trip on them.

Tip #4: Seating is important.
A family seating area, such as a bar, small table, breakfast nook, or a coffee table is a must-have in a family-style kitchen. This allows the family to eat together and hang out in one area, and when you’re entertaining, it gives guests the opportunity to sit down and relax in an area where most people are congregating.

Tip #5: Pick which features are most important to you.
What works for one family won’t always work for another family, so be sure to pick features in your kitchen that work well for you. For example, do you need an organization area that can be hidden away, a space for a small flat screen television, an easily accessible pantry, or a unique refrigerator space configuration? Always go with a design that is most convenient for your family and your specific style of living.