Whether you live in a compact urban flat, a spacious detached home in the suburbs or a cosy cottage in the countryside, the family kitchen is the heart and soul of any home. It’s where breakfasts are wolfed down before school, snacks are devoured in the afternoon and dinners are shared with friends and family.
A strategic approach to furniture can go a long way when it comes to getting the most out of your family kitchen. To help your clan thrive, we’ve put together a guide to must-have family kitchen furniture for homes of all shapes and sizes.
4 essential family kitchen furniture ideas
1. An heirloom-quality dining table
A family dining table isn’t just for eating. Sure, it’s used for everything from casual weekday cornflakes to lavish Sunday brunches. But in most households, a dining table doubles as a space to get stuck into homework, set up weekend craft stations, complete jigsaw puzzles and decorate cupcakes.
For adults, the family dining table has a myriad of roles. From opening bills and writing Christmas cards to having important conversations about big next steps, if your dining table could talk, it would have A LOT to say.
With so many roles, it’s absolutely worth investing in an heirloom-quality dining table. Look for tables built from solid wood and finished with premium paint and varnishes. Colours like white and golden oak are classic, though when it comes to practicality, we love a navy blue dining table. It’s no secret that darker colours are easier to clean and maintain, which is why we love the chic, midnight hue of this family dining table.
2. Space-saving dining benches
Most families find themselves short on space, which is where dining benches really step up. The rectangular seats don’t waste an inch of space and mean you can often seat an extra person at the table. For example, two single chairs can be replaced with a bench that can fit three. When paired with matching tables, dining benches can be slotted neatly beneath the tabletop.
Bench seats aren’t just a practical family kitchen idea. They’re also a style statement, with an increasing number of interior designers embracing bench-style seating. Watch any home renovation show and chances are you’re likely to see grey, sage green or white dining benches pop up in an episode or two. They’re a lot of fun to work with as they can be accessorised with cushions and throws. Benches also reduce the number of individual furniture items (i.e. chairs) in your kitchen, which can be a clever way to make your space feel clean and less cluttered.
3. A classic kitchen display cabinet
Storage is a constant struggle for many families. Even in the largest family kitchens, cupboards and shelves can quickly get packed to the brim. A kitchen display cabinet provides space to store all your essentials, including crockery, cutlery and glassware.
The upper shelves are generally open or enclosed with glass doors. As such, they’re ideal for showcasing your favourite dining sets, china, vases and other decorative items. Use the cupboard at the bottom to store bulkier items like mixing bowls and bakeware.
If your family kitchen has a French farmhouse, country cottage or shabby chic aesthetic, a truffle or sage green display cabinet is the ultimate showpiece. Love to enjoy a glass of Pinot Noir with dinner? A kitchen dresser with a built-in wine rack provides all the space you need to store your favourite bottles.
4. A multifunctional breakfast bar
When it comes to family kitchen design, a breakfast bar with storage will literally change your life. Practical and multifunctional, this clever family kitchen furniture solution isn’t just for gobbling up hot buttered toast and Weetabix in the morning. Add comfortable matching bar stools and the hardwearing surface is ideal for homework, craft activities and everything in between.
Breakfast bars are generally placed close to the cooking area, which means you can supervise the kids while preparing dinner. If you’re hosting a party, breakfast bars also make it easy to chat to your guests while cooking up a storm.
We use durable, naturally antibacterial limed acacia hardwood for the tops of all our breakfast bars. It’s heat and stain-resistant, so you’ll never have to worry about spilt milk or anything else for that matter. Underneath, you’ll find a pair of open-slatted shelves for extra storage. The doorless design is ideal for stashing items that you use every day. For example, boxes of cereal and tea/coffee supplies.
Better still, our sturdy wooden breakfast bars are available in a range of colours to suit your décor theme. White and dove grey breakfast bars are ideal for modern kitchens, while warmer truffle breakfast bars ooze vintage charm.
Looking for more family kitchen design tips? Browse our website to discover ideas for making your kitchen more homely, along with multiple family kitchen furniture ranges with designs for every space.
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