Families will have different goals and ideas to focus on in their homes. One differentiating factor between families is the size of each household. Various circumstances affect the size of our families, such as culture, age of family members, location of the home, and numerous others. Having a large family is important to some people, and it can be genuinely enjoyable for raising children, having a community and support network under a single roof.

Some may think of large families as a thing of the past; however, 19 million Americans live in households which have 5 or more people, and more than 4 million live in households with 7 or more people.

On the other hand, it means that you will have to accommodate all of the family members. The kitchen is a critical area of the home, affecting all who live there. Planing for a larger family might not come up if you live in a larger house; however, it might if you live in less space. If you are trying to design a kitchen to meet everyone's needs, you will quickly find that there is a lot to consider when it comes to contemporary kitchens.

After all, the details for the interior design will depend on circumstances that can change over time. Even if most of the family is young, there is going to come a time when those family members want to begin cooking for themselves, or at least learn how to use different appliances within the kitchen. As families grow and change, the rules about what people can and can't do will also change, meaning that more people may begin using the kitchen at once. Some, as they age, will be less and less inclined to use the kitchen and may need help reaching tall shelves or remembering pans on the stove. With a large family, you will need to plan and accommodate for this. There will be several major design points that you will want to bring up with a skilled kitchen designer.

Some of this will come to the kitchen's layout and how much room it is for people to move around and maneuver through the kitchen. Other parts of the kitchen's design will come down to the storage space, and how many supplies you can store in various areas. A kitchen isn't going to be any good if none of the cabinets open or can be accessed. From there, you will also need to give some thought into what kitchens will be simplest to maintain, as different kitchen styles can require a lot more upkeep than others. If you are looking for something sleek and easy to manage, the contemporary kitchen design is one of the easiest to go with, and it can be one of the most aesthetically pleasing.

Storage Space

First, large families need storage space in the kitchen and plenty of it. This includes storage for pots and pans, dry goods and food that you would keep in the pantry or cabinet, and areas for storing cups, utensils, and so on. The more people there are in a family, the more food you are going to go through. Beyond that, especially as young children get older and develop tastes of their own, family members are going to want areas in the kitchen dedicated to their food. This is where the beauty of contemporary design can come in handy.

One of the main focus points of contemporary kitchen design is that just about everything is designed to be linear, clean, simple, and sleek. From glass cabinet doors, to even only open shelves, food can be organized beautifully yet functionally. Options for storage are plentiful with contemporary design styles. While you are working on the kitchen storage, you will also want to make sure that the entire kitchen is accessible to everyone who will be using it. For some large families, this may mean making sure that there is enough room for two people to stand in one area.

Waste, recycling, and composting are fundamental concerns to review as well. Integrated bins to eliminate wasted floor space and trip hazards is the hallmark of good design. Freezing compost to eliminate odors may be a good idea for larger families to consider.

Considering a Kitchen Island

For families with many people who will be using the kitchen at once, investing in a contemporary kitchen island will make the kitchen look more attractive while adding storage and seating. A kitchen island may also add the ability of multiple people to work in a kitchen simultaneously. As someone may choose to prepare some food on the countertop while another family member may be doing homework on the island, leaving room for everyone in the kitchen will be important to harmony in the household.

As for contemporary designs in a kitchen island, it is hard to go wrong with a simple, sleek design or cantilevering a contrasting countertop on top. Doing this can quickly provide several countertop's worth’s of space for other family members to work on, meaning that everyone will get a chance to make use of the large, contemporary kitchen.

Consider comfortable, elegant seating options at the kitchen island. This is an area where many people in the home will spend a great deal of time. No one wants to make memories in a beautiful, modern kitchen while sitting in an awkward, uncomfortable chair.

Consider the Layout of the Kitchen

There are also options to consider regarding how you want everything to be placed within the kitchen. Most people go for countertops, lining the kitchen's three walls, with the fourth wall being an open end into another room. When someone has a kitchen island, it is often placed in the center of the kitchen so that everyone will have access and for ease of use.

Additionally, rather than the roundabout style of a kitchen, you could opt for a more unique and modern kitchen layout, turning it into an I-shaped kitchen rather than a U-shaped kitchen. Some people will also do this when the kitchen and the subsequent island can turn into a place where people can sit and relax. No matter what shape of kitchen you choose, you can rest assured knowing that if it is done in a contemporary style, it will not only be easier to maintain, but it will also be a place in your home where you can be proud.

Kitchen for Large Families