We have a very small condo with a small kitchen and LO has always been free to go in and out of the kitchen. As he gets older, he keeps wanting "up". We have the learning tower just for this purpose, but he is still unsatisfied. He needs to be "up" where the REAL action is, which is by the stove. His own little counter area with his own cooking utensils is not enough! Since the kitchen is so small, he's able to get into his learning tower and tug at my clothing to try to get a closer look and honestly, it's super annoying! When not in the learning tower, he will grab at my legs! 100% of the time when I go into the kitchen, he will follow, even when he is playing by himself in the living room. Argh! What is his fascination? I'm in there only cuz I need to get work done, which is hard when he is constantly wanting attention! We have an upstairs loft that is gated and whenever I go up there to grab something or use the bathroom, he doesn't complain and finds something to do or waits by the gate. I wonder if this will be the same for the kitchen, though I suspect he will be pissed in the beginning when his freedom is taken away! P.S When baby #2 is here and mobile, I will definitely have a gate because we can't fit two babies and me in there while I'm trying to get stuff done! Argh!