With Shrove Tuesday falling today, lots of you will no doubt already be busy with the lemon juice, sugar and chocolate, making pancakes to your hearts’ content. Quite right too – we’re huge fans of the celebration here at Kitchen Design Centre, especially as it so often yields such delicious results! It’s a great opportunity for parents to do some fun, simple cooking with their children, and that got us thinking a bit about the implications… so today on the blog, we’re looking at kitchen design inspiration for spaces geared towards family cooking all year round!
Obviously, certain types of cooking lend themselves particularly well to being family activities, so it’s a good idea to consider those early. You may have seen our recent blog about baking, which is a great example of what we’re talking about. Baking is an ideal family activity as it encourages creativity, and like pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, the results are always sweet – making it a big children’s favourite! It’s worth remembering they’re usually foods for sharing, too – again, making them great for a family activity!
When cooking with particularly young children, a kitchen island is always an excellent choice. From a practical perspective, it keeps the messier activities confined to a single place, which might well make it easier for you to clean up afterwards. It also makes things safer – you can keep the more adult tasks (like chopping and blending) on your kitchen worktops, and keep the fun, safe activities (like mixing and whisking) on the kitchen island.
If you’re instead focused on keeping the island as simply a dining space, you’re also very likely to notice the benefit when the meal is almost done, too. Children and teenagers are notoriously impatient, so when the meal is finished, being able to transition directly from cooking to serving (without having to ferry plates from room to room) means that you can all be sitting down and eating in next to no time at all. It also means you get to keep an eye on the table, and make sure no one grabs a sneaky bite before everyone else has started!
When it comes to safety and convenience – two of the most vital considerations with family cooking – appliances like the induction hob are fantastic combinations of the two. It uses an electromagnetic circuit to heat pans, so it’s only on for as long as the pan itself is in contact. This makes it far harder for children to accidentally burn themselves, while having the neat bonus of being easier and more efficient to use for you, too.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking at cabinetry we’d always recommend gloss cabinets, which are easier to clean and wipe down if you’re anticipating a bit of mess when cooking with family. Handleless cabinetry is also ideal, as it can be quite effective in reducing the temptation for exceptionally young children to tug at them and pull them open – a common response when they see mysterious handles! It’s worth remembering that doesn’t mean they won’t be opened, though, so make sure you’re smart about where everything’s kept. (In short, nothing sharp in drawers close to the ground!)
Don’t forget, our talented kitchen designers here at Kitchen Design Centre are always here to help. If you’re a bit stuck for inspiration, pop into your nearest designer kitchen showroom in Blackburn, Manchester or our brand new location in Barrowford, and one of our team will be only too happy to help you realise your dream vision for your kitchen!
Introducing Beth Ainsworth to our Blackburn showroom. Beth brings fresh ideas and plenty of enthusiasm to kitchen design. Off the clock, I’m most likely in the gym.
We’re passionate about tailoring our designs to fit your lifestyle, so whether you want a space to entertain or a family-centric kitchen to spend quality time together, our designers know exactly how to make your dream kitchen a reality.
When you book an appointment, you’ll be introduced to your personal kitchen designer, who will sit down with you in our dedicated meeting space to discuss what you want for your dream kitchen. Then, when you’re happy with the final design, they’ll become your dedicated project manager as they oversee every aspect of the installation, guaranteeing exceptional customer service as we deliver the kitchen of your dreams.
Our Summer Sale is officially ON! ✨
If you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s never been a better time to make it happen. From timeless designs to modern family spaces, now is the perfect opportunity to save on the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
The brief focused on creating a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would feel open, social and highly functional, while complementing the wider architectural renovation of the home.
The finished design delivers a beautifully balanced space that combines clean lines with luxurious detailing.
One of the standout features is the striking worktop design. The waterfall edge peninsula creates a bold focal point within the room, while the continuation of the material across the side panels introduces a seamless, premium aesthetic.
Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
You don’t have to keep waiting for your dream kitchen. With flexible finance options on kitchens over £20,000, it’s ready when you are. Spread the cost of your kitchen plans and move forward in a way that works for you this summer.
With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
The kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s the heart of the home.
At our Kitchen Design Centre, we believe your kitchen should be the centrepiece of your house, where style meets functionality and every moment matters. From morning coffees to family dinners and everything in between, your kitchen is where life happens.
That’s why we design spaces that bring people together — beautiful, practical, and tailored to you. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern look or a warm, classic feel, we’re here to help you create a kitchen that truly feels like home.
Visit us today and start designing the heart of your home.
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