Rethinking Sydney Kitchens for Multi-Gen Homes
As multi-generational living rises, Sydney kitchens must evolve beyond tight, traditional layouts. This blog explores how smart zoning, dual kitchens, double islands, and accessible design create inclusive, functional spaces for all ages. With expert insight from leading kitchen designers in Sydney, this highlights practical solutions that balance safety, storage, aesthetics, and everyday efficiency in modern family homes.
Sydney homes are no longer the single-family homes they were. Thus, traditional kitchens with closed walls and tight spaces don’t work for families as they did. The little ones need space to grow, and the elderly need ease of movement. Simultaneously, you want the kitchen to be easily accessible for you to carry on with your chores and get ready for work. Therefore, Sydney kitchens need to change their layout to fit the needs of the time. Degabriele Kitchens and Interiors, one of the leading kitchen designers in Sydney, notes that families are demanding more open-plan layouts with separation. Moreover, young members want kitchens to be luxurious but practical.
Why Traditional Kitchen Layouts No Longer Work
No Space for Multiple Cooks
Traditional kitchens for single-family homes are often tight in space and surface area. With limited space to move around, there’s no room for more than one cook. For multi-generational homes, this is a problem, as you need extra hands to prepare meals for a large number of people. Thus, traditional Sydney kitchens are breeding grounds for bottlenecks, notes Degabriele Kitchens.
Storage Shortage
Lack of storage space is one of the greatest flaws in traditional kitchens. In multi-gen homes, it can create clutter and organisation issues. With a higher volume of ingredients, a lack of storage can lead to damaged equipment, lost ingredients, and an inaccessible supply. Moreover, traditional homes have dead corners that can be used for storage spaces.
Safety and Accessibility Issues
A traditional kitchen layout doesn’t account for children or the elderly in the household. Standard countertop heights are not suitable for everyone. Furthermore, old designs can be hazardous for both the elderly and children. Often, wrong appliance placement can put kids and the elderly at risk.
Maintenance and Cleaning Demands
Awkward planning of traditional kitchens, older carpentry, and hard-to-reach nooks and crannies make cleaning and maintenance a nightmare. For high-use homes, problems with maintenance are impractical.
Rethinking Sydney Kitchens Layout for Multi-Gen Homes
Dual Kitchens or Kitchenettes
Leading kitchen designers in Sydney, such as Degabriele Kitchens, are bringing dual kitchens to multi-gen homes. Dual kitchens or mini-kitchens open space for storage, meal preparation, and working with multiple people. Kitchenettes help reduce congestion, a major problem with traditional Sydney kitchens. Additionally, dual kitchens make room for a butler’s pantry, which exponentially increases storage space and helps better organise the space.
Zoned Layout Planning
Open-plan kitchens are the most sensible decision for multi-gen homes. However, experts at Degabriele Kitchens say that new homeowners are looking for proper zoning in open spaces. Proper arrangement of kitchen islands and benchtops can separate kitchens from living rooms without walls. Consequently, it doesn’t mess up the aesthetics of the kitchen layout.
Double Islands and Benchtops
Any kitchen designer in Sydney would suggest double islands and extended benchtops. Double islands and large multi-purpose benchtops help with meal preparation, cutting ingredients, hosting guests and family members. In a multi-gen home, it can become a space for social interaction and a place to enjoy meals together.
Accessible Designs
Elder family members need to move around the kitchen securely. Multi-gen kitchens should have wider walkways, lower countertops and accessible appliances for the elderly to use. For people with extreme mobility issues, modular drawers closer to the ground are the trend.
Galley Kitchens
Galley kitchens feature two parallel countertops with appliance and storage compartments with a narrow corridor or passage in between the countertops. The design is inspired by galleys of ships or submarines, where food is stored and cooked. Such a design is useful for multi-gen homes facing space crunch. The design is flexible, and you can maximise storage with sleek planning and modular storage.
Designing for Different Ages Without Compromising Aesthetics
Multi-gen homes have people of varied ages and diverse preferences. However, here are a few tips to make your kitchen inclusive without losing visual appeal:
- Neutral tones: For a home of various ages, using neutral tones and colours for countertops and cabinets is the best option.
- Consistent finishes: Your kitchen finishes should be consistent throughout the space. It helps to separate the kitchen from the rest of your living space.
- Statement pieces: Ensure your layout includes signature style, such as smart lighting. Lighting will not only add character to your kitchen but also make the space visible for elderly people. Additionally, adding modern fixtures can add sophistication to your kitchen.
- Smart technology: Integrating smart technology with automated sensors not only makes the kitchen accessible but adds aesthetic value to Sydney kitchens.
Conclusion
As multi-gen homes become more common, Sydney kitchens need to adjust to accommodate people of all ages. Traditional kitchens with their outdated layout and short spaces do not work in these houses. Congestion problems, storage issues, and outdated technologies are some issues traditional kitchens create. Building a kitchen for multi-gen people requires dual kitchens, larger benchtops, smart storage spaces and seamless zoning. However, you also need expert kitchen designers, such as Degabriele Kitchens and Interiors, who can design the right kitchen layout with their 40 years of experience in the industry. You can visit our official website and book a consultation today. All that stands between you and your inclusive kitchen is your decision.
FAQs
- How do kitchen designers in Sydney plan for multiple users in one kitchen?
Experienced kitchen designers in Sydney, such as Degabriele Kitchens, plan multi-gen kitchens with zoned layouts, smart storage, reachable countertops, and large islands. Additionally, designers plan an extra kitchen to reduce congestion and streamline the cooking.
- How can a kitchen be designed for aging parents without looking clinical?
The soft-closed drawers, pull-out pantry systems, induction cooktops, and varied bench height improve accessibility to aging parents.
- Do multi-generational kitchens require more space?
No, a multi-gen kitchen need not be more spacious than traditional kitchens. Multi-gen kitchen layouts can plan their storage smartly, install smart technology, and improve zoning for utilising space better.
- Is a double island necessary for multi-generational living?
No, double islands are not compulsory for multi-gen kitchen layouts. However, double islands help to remove congestion and make cooking easier.
- How much does it cost to design a multi-generational kitchen in Sydney?
Costs for multi-gen Sydney kitchens depend on the project scale and scope. Materials and labour costs take up a considerable portion of the budget.
