Kitchens are high-traffic areas when kids are in the house, not only for preparing meals, but also for tackling homework and even doing chores.
A group home in Gwinnett County operated by CHRIS Kids needed more space and an updated look in the kitchen. Typically, six children (ranging in age from 6 to 18) live in the house that was built in 1986 and purchased by CHRIS Kids in 1989.
To improve the kitchen, for the 2013 holidays IKEA donated and installed cabinets, countertops, a dining set, a pantry, window treatments, message boards, appliances and accessories. IKEA wanted to turn the uninspiring kitchen into a more enjoyable space that helped the house feel more like a home for the kids, said Deidra Cunningham, spokeswoman for IKEA at Atlantic Station.
The solutions used in that kitchen remodel could help other homeowners with children, too.
The problem: Storage woes.
The solution: IKEA added a pantry, which stores IKEA cookware, dishes (such as its Fargrik stoneware), cutlery, food and other goods. And a magnetic board on the pantry created a message center for notes and posting good grades. IKEA also expanded the cabinet footprint to provide extra storage, and provided a new stainless steel Nutid double-door refrigerator and freezer.
The problem: Tight, boring space.
The solution: The layout left little room for the kids to move around or eat together at once. Now, there's a larger dining table that seats up to eight people. "We use it as a place for people to meet together, so a dining room table that accommodates all the kids at one time was important," said Sally Larsgaard, communications officer for CHRIS Kids. A solid wood birch dining table, in IKEA's Scandinavian modern style, complemented the neutral Sherwin-Williams paint and wood floors. IKEA updated the existing dining benches with a new finish and recovered the cushions with its Majken fabric — which is made of 100 percent renewable cotton — in a white, beige, and green pattern. IKEA's Ingerlise curtains in white/beige complement the cushion covers. Track lighting replaced the existing ceiling fan. "Now, they seem really excited to have the opportunity to sit down together," Larsgaard said.
The problem: Tough setup for chores.
The solution: "The kids' part of their chores is helping to learn how to really live in a home," Larsgaard said. Those chores include helping prepare meals and cleaning the dishes. The new cabinet and pantry layout takes into account what types of items the taller and smaller children need to reach.
The problem: Withstanding wear and tear.
The solution: Two CHRIS Kids officials — property manager Harold Moreau and volunteer manager Robert Lewis — told IKEA the selections needed to be durable enough to withstand daily use. Laminate IKEA countertops, called Prägel, were selected in a black mineral-effect finish, and the countertops are durable and easy to maintain, Cunningham said. IKEA provided flat-panel, white, solid cabinet doors (Applåd style) with a lacquered front, Cunningham said. The doors also can be removed for cleaning. The melamine surface of IKEA's Akurum white base cabinets is moisture-resistant and scratch-resistant, she said. "It was key that we really think about, 'What do we need and how do we use this space?' That's how we planned it," Larsgaard said.
About the Author
