https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 11:23:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1672216 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 08:03:44 +0000 snowjewelz 1672216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll take a self cleaning stove top &amp; sink, lol :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1672148 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 07:02:28 +0000 Mamaof2 1672148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: Our kitchen cabinets are from IKEA and they don't slam - I love them!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1672144 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 06:38:57 +0000 looch 1672144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: usually baking bars are set down a few inches from the regular counter height, think about when you roll out dough, you kind of need the counter lower.</p> <p>I was thinking an island could accomplish the same thing, but I really have no idea. We have an eat in kitchen and when my son helps, I set up everything for him at the table. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1672091 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 04:36:01 +0000 Dandelion 1672091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I rearranged some cupboards so that D can reach some plates and cups. He's responsible enough to help himself to snacks and drinks but he couldn't reach some things. I also have some snacks and drinks accessible that he can get to on his own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1672078 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 03:26:14 +0000 Kemma 1672078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've had a breakfast bar in two of our places and I really like them! We kept a clip-on highchair at our breakfast bar and Miss A loved sitting, eating and watching while I was cooking. Now that she's nineteen months she climbs on to the barstools and scribbles while I cook or whatever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1672072 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 02:45:08 +0000 sarac 1672072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kitchen is too small for a learning tower, so my daughter has always just stood on a small, sturdy chair. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671658 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 19:06:33 +0000 yoursilverlining 1671658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have cabinets that don't slam and they are awesome; I don't ever want to live in a house again without them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671606 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 18:36:56 +0000 chopsuey 1671606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would check Houzz.com! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671500 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 17:20:47 +0000 pastemoo 1671500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671498 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 17:15:42 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1671498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: haha probably :) I am working on a post about this now but if you Google montessori kitchen you will get all sorts of ideas of ways 2 year Olds can do real authentic jobs in the kitchen :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671477 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 16:45:16 +0000 pastemoo 1671477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What age do you think is old enough to help. At 2, I sometimes let him stir while I hold him up, but otherwise, there doesn't seem like much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671476 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 16:44:26 +0000 pastemoo 1671476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Interesting. I'm thinking he will surpass me in height by 6th grade, so I'm not super worried that he won't be able to reach things. I'm afraid of putting a microwave anywhere, really, and I don't know where they "should" go. I haven't had one in 10ish years.<br /> @Mrs. Lion: Would there be a difference between short person friendly and kid friendly?<br /> @mediagirl: That is a really good point. I kind of doubt we have room for one yet--but maybe some kind of tablet stand, like the old cookbook stands. Is that a thing? And yes, we have to see how well it was built. The one thing I worry about is if we totally open that well--we will only have ground level cabinets and no hanging cabinets (the other 3 walls are full of windows--not a bad thing).</p> <p>@looch: Is there some other structure that would work like alearning tower? I don't have the $ for lower counters--but would LOVE it because I'm short. But I think we'll have enough supplies left over to build something that makes the kitchen accessible. Maybe?<br /> Or do you mean like a small section of the kitchen that has a lower counter--like 1 foot wide only? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671389 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 14:46:13 +0000 looch 1671389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would look at possibly putting a counter at a lower height, kind of like a baking bar...the main problem that we have is my son likes to help, but I don't like him perched on a chair and we just don't have the space for a learning tower. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671381 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 14:42:15 +0000 mediagirl 1671381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would make sure to have a space for a computer. We spend a lot of time in our kitchen, I'd love to make it a place where we could all be at the same time. Also, I use the computer for recipes so having a designated spot for it would be perfect. </p> <p>It's really nice having a set up Luke the one we have now. The kitchen opens to the eating are which opens to the family room. M can play in any of those areas and I can see her at all times. I would definitely try to see if you can open that wall any. You might be able to just leave support beams, if it was built properly....! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671379 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 14:41:50 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1671379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: agree!! They are only little for a year or two but then you've got like 5 plus years where you want them to be in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671378 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 14:40:39 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1671378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: honestly I would design it more for kid friendly meaning ways that they can be in the kitchen safer. Actually putting a microwave low is safer (for kids and adults) bc when they learn to start cooking and helping you can see what you're cooking and you are lifting hot foods rather than pulling them down onto your head. We have an under cabinet microwave and we love it. We've never had an issue with her playing with buttons. </p> <p>I would look at the same for refrigerators. What is a model that has a snack door or a regular door (not French) so that as they get older they can get into the fridge themselves for drinks and snacks. Also on that one a fridge that has a water dispenser that fills up sports water bottles (taller). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671316 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 13:34:34 +0000 pastemoo 1671316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Oh! Thank you. Never been there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671311 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 13:29:47 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1671311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am the opposite...I would be looking for ways to make it more accessible to kids, not less. My goal would be to make it so they can be as independent as possible. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671293 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 13:08:34 +0000 spaniellove 1671293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Houzz.com has tons of photos and great ideabooks! I think they even have ideabooks about kid-friendly design. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671281 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 12:58:54 +0000 pastemoo 1671281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: That's really cool!</p> <p>We're buying a house where the last people added a new room (kitchen) but didn't finish it. I don't know if can open it the dining room (old eat-in kitchen) because the wall used to be the outside of the house wall. I would love to open it up though. I'm hoping if we can't open it completely we can at least put a window frame so we can look out to the dining room.<br /> I wanted it open before but didn't think about watching my son from there. Very good plan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671264 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 12:44:44 +0000 Greentea 1671264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: we have a set-up I really appreciate. The living and dining are all open with the kitchen- we have a large island (that I described) and at the end of the kitchen a french door closet with my washer and dryer- (totally hidden). It helps me multi-task while watching lo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671254 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 12:35:31 +0000 pastemoo 1671254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: Is your kitchen open to the dining room?<br /> That's a really good point. I will definitely consider that in our design! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671240 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 12:19:20 +0000 Greentea 1671240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love islands that face out- with sink and stovetop so that your back isn't to the rest of the room. You can still interact and watch LOs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/kitchen-design-kid-friendly#post-1671231 Sun, 01 Jun 2014 12:05:41 +0000 pastemoo 1671231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you could redo your kitchen completely, what would you change to make it more suitable as a family kitchen?</p> <p>Like, microwave up high so kids don't push all the buttons? Or cabinets that don't slam, or have handles that are easier to put child safety locks on... or anything.</p> <p>And where do you go to look for inspiration for your dream kitchen and renovations? I'm looking at hgtv.com right now. Any other ideas are appreciated! </p>