Over recent years, the kitchen has transcended its traditional role as a mere space for meal preparation. Today, it stands as the heart of the home, a multifaceted hub where cooking, entertaining, and family bonding seamlessly blend. Designing a family kitchen that encapsulates luxury whilst remaining functional is a delicate art. This week, we’ve asked a few design experts to share their top tips and considerations to keep in mind when designing a family-friendly scheme. Keep reading to find out.
Opt for Bespoke Cabinetry
Tom Howley, a brand synonymous with bespoke kitchen design, emphasises the importance of timeless elegance in family kitchens. Made-to-order cabinetry goes beyond design trends, offering homeowners a lasting solution that adapts to their evolving needs. By meticulously crafting each piece to suit the unique dimensions and requirements of the space, and the lifestyles of its clients, Tom Howley ensures that each scheme is built to last the test of time.
Richard Holden, sales designer at Tom Howley, comments: “The furniture we create is all made-to-measure and designed to last. When you have a carefully designed, bespoke space, you won’t need to think about updating it for the next 20 years. When you come to sell your house, if that time arises, it’s going to improve the value of your property and make it more desirable to potential buyers.”
Go Double
When it comes to family kitchens, the mindset that ‘more is better’ often proves to be true. This approach involves incorporating double elements such as islands, taps, dishwashers, ovens and even a secondary ‘back kitchen’ to enhance functionality and convenience.
Tom Howley, Creative Design Director at the eponymous kitchen company, notes: “Islands are a perennial favourite but are even more in demand for families as we treat our kitchens as workspaces, classrooms, and culinary hubs. We are now taking it to the next level and expanding our island space by doubling up for two worktops. Having double kitchen islands serves a variety of purposes to make multifunctional life easier – providing twice the counter space in the kitchen for food prep, and even offering a second sink to streamline the cooking process.”
Howley continues: “Typically, one island serves a more functional role – great for food prep and may include a second sink or even a dishwasher, streamlining the cooking process. The second island is then dedicated to entertaining or eating. It often has an area for bar stools, allowing guests to relax as you prepare a meal or for your children to do their homework while you whip up an after-school snack.”
For busy households, a back kitchen can be invaluable. Howley explains: “A back kitchen serves as a support system for the main kitchen, acting as a discreet space for storage, preparation, and organisation. Think of it as the behind-the-scenes area that keeps the main stage running smoothly. Ample storage is paramount in this space. A mix of closed cupboards and drawers and open shelving is essential to offer enough space to store ingredients, cookware and small appliances, ensuring that everything is conveniently within reach yet neatly tucked away. The best thing about a back kitchen is that once you’ve had enough, you can close the doors behind you, concealing all the mess and clutter until it’s time to tidy.”
Choose Worktops That Combine Form & Function
The worktop is a key element in any kitchen, setting the tone for the entire space. Given its extensive coverage, it not only shapes the aesthetic of the room, but also bears the brunt of daily activities. It’s therefore no surprise that materials such as porcelain continue to be a firm favourite amongst families looking for worktops that are beautiful, durable and easy to maintain.
Jonathan Stanley, VP of Marketing at premium surfaces leader Caesarstone, shares: “The trend for using porcelain in our homes is, without a doubt, continuing to grow. Beautifully combining aesthetic with durability, porcelain outperforms natural stone alternatives such as marble and granite. Whether you’re after a bolder, dramatic style with a darker hue or looking to create a light, natural atmosphere with something softer, then this material can offer just that. Beyond aesthetics, porcelain is highly resistant to heat, scratches and stains, whilst also being non-porous and simple to clean. Because of its high resistance to heat, sunlight, UV and extreme weather conditions, porcelain is also suitable for outdoor use, for those looking to recreate a stylish and practical look in their outdoor kitchen.”
Select a Flooring That Merges Design With Durability
The flooring is the foundation of any space, defining the framework for both style and functionality. When considering durable flooring for a high traffic area such as a busy family kitchen, vinyl options are proving to be a standout choice.
Neel Bradham, CEO of global flooring company Parador, notes: “There are many misconceptions about vinyl, notably that it is cheap-looking and not hardwearing. Although this may have been the case many years ago, vinyl has increased its design prowess and technological capabilities. As a material for the home, vinyl ticks all the boxes. Not only is it a great choice for design enthusiasts, but it also excels in resilience and technological performance. It is versatile, highly affordable, waterproof, and durable, making it an ideal choice for high traffic areas such as family kitchens.”
Organisational Hacks for the Home
By Vicky Silverthorn, Professional Organiser
Living a life with less stuff and transforming your home into the decluttered space you’d like it to be is predominantly about getting your mindset right. Preparing your thoughts and envisaging why you are starting the process is just as important as the process itself.
Here are a few key, important things I’ve found really helpful to read through way before you think about which baskets may look pretty or what containers you should be buying. The process works well when you think, declutter, organise and then look into any additional storage you may need to enhance your spaces.
Food Overwhelm
Since Covid many are still in the habit of stock piling food and the reality is that too much food causes waste. Crammed cupboards make it harder to locate what we need which in turn impacts our minds and makes us feel more disorganised and chaotic. It’s time to buy less, alter your food lists and just get what you need. The shops store the food, that’s what they’re there for and that’s the key thing to remember. Less food more organisation.
Decluttering Positivity!
Decluttering is thought of as a huge chore and yes it can take time if you are thinking of large areas. The second you break this down and target a drawer, a small cupboard or even a shelf you’ll find yourself making key changes more easily and without the big build up in your mind. Start small now and see how rapid the transformation can be.
Give It a Home
This really is the biggest tip for creating order within your house. As soon as you designate a place for something to live whether it’s a safety pin or a larger item it becomes easier to keep on top of things. If you end up with items which have no space then you know you have more than your home can hold and it’s time to cull. Often the problem of disorganisation relates to the fact we simply have too much stuff for the space we have. Option 1 buy a bigger house and option 2 declutter!
Look at Storage
Storage is key in our homes but is yours doing all it can? Sometimes we buy furniture because it looks great but it also has to be functional otherwise it’s surroundings will take its beauty away anyway (picture a desk that looks great but has no storage – it ends up covered in papers so we miss how nice it is!) Perhaps the solution is investing in built in furniture – if so plan what you need to store and ensure it suits what you need.
Can I Live Without This?
A question I ask myself daily when I look around my home. It’s a powerful question and shifts no responsibility. By this I mean we are responsible for what we bring into our homes and if there is guilt to be faced because we have bought in error or over shopped then feeling that feeling isn’t a bad thing. I never ask myself what I’ve used in the last year, I never try and talk myself around thinking something could someday potentially be useful – I acknowledge mistaken purchases and take them onboard so I can make changes in the future.
For more advice on decluttering and home organisation contact the You Need A Vicky team.
Life With a Live-in Carer
For many families, the decision to organise professional care for a loved one is not taken lightly. It often comes with concerns about the quality of life and a strong wish for their loved one to retain their independence in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
At Hamilton George Care, we take the time to understand how you have lived your life, so we can understand how to enhance your future. Here, we’ll walk you through some of the typical activities during a day with a Hamilton George carer, highlighting how live-in carers support not just the physical needs but also the emotional and social wellbeing of those they care for.
Morning Routine
A live-in carer assists with waking up, getting out of bed and any personal hygiene tasks required, like washing or dressing. This help is delivered with respect for routines and preferences. Breakfast can be served in your room, kitchen or dining room, and the carer or nurse will ensure any dietary requirements are met.
Personal Care
Personal care is provided with utmost respect for privacy and autonomy. Tasks might include assistance with toileting, showering or grooming. The focus is always on enabling the individual to do as much as they can or wish to do for themselves, with support simply a reassuring presence.
Mealtimes
Meal preparation is a significant part of a carer’s role, aiming to provide nutritious and appetising food choices. Lunchtime is about more than just eating; it can be an opportunity for social engagement and is a highlight in the day for those who love food. Carers will make an effort to learn and prepare any favoured dishes and often use mealtimes to encourage hydration and ensure a balanced diet is maintained.
Clinical Support
Hamilton George carers and nurses will be selected in accordance with an individual’s unique clinical and personal needs. Whether clients require 24hr nursing care for complex medical needs or specialist support for conditions such as Dementia or Alzheimer’s, plans are regularly reviewed and adapted as needs change. Medication will be managed and any relevant treatments or medical appointments will be organised.
Out & About
Staying active and connected with friends and family is crucial. A live-in carer can accompany individuals on walks, to appointments, or social outings, providing mobility support and companionship. Maintaining independence however possible is vital and trips and outings can help maintain a sense of normalcy and freedom.
Hosting & Socialising
Social connections are encouraged and supported. Carers will facilitate the hosting of family and friends, helping to prepare the home for visitors or assist in organising events. They understand the importance of maintaining relationships and will often step back to allow for private family time. Hamilton George carers also undertake additional lifestyle training which includes modules such as ‘Etiquette 101’ and ‘Going the extra mile’.
Independence & Personal Space
Live-in care doesn’t mean constant companionship, and carers are trained to balance providing support with ensuring personal space. They will respect your loved one’s independence, stepping in when needed but also allowing space for personal activities and rest.
Working With Other Household Staff
In some cases a family will already have a support structure in place before care begins. This can include a regular cleaner, housekeeper, gardener or other household staff. The care plan will take this into account and a carer will be briefed on their exact role within the household. Their skills will match the requirements of the family and they will be clear on their role and responsibilities from the start.
Evenings & Overnight Care
As evening falls, a live-in carer helps with the bedtime routine — this could include help with changing, getting into bed, and ensuring comfort through the night. Overnight, they are there to assist with bathroom visits or any other needs, providing peace of mind that help is always at hand.
Live-in care offers a comforting solution that supports the dignity and independence of individuals while providing the comprehensive care they require. Importantly, it also provides families with the assurance that their loved one is safe, supported, and able to continue living in the comfort of their own home.
Choosing the right care for your loved one is a critical decision, and understanding the day-to-day life with a live-in carer can help in making an informed choice. At Hamilton George Care, we support our carers to empower those in their care to lead fulfilling lives, with support tailored to their unique needs and wishes. We provide a fully managed care service, meaning that your chosen carer will be on hand to provide 24/7 care in the home, supported, trained and managed by our outstanding in-house team and registered nurse. This fully comprehensive care ensures peace of mind for the whole family.
If you would like to have a conversation about how a live-in carer can help you or a loved one, then get in touch. You can email or give us a call on 0330 4702866.