Here is our guide to creating a comfortable kitchen space for kids and adults to cook, talk and spend time together.

• Keep it organized. Add pantries, drawers, cabinets and shelving for ample storage. Create a place for everything from kitchen equipment, utensils, kids’ stuff and anything else you might need.
• We’ve had several families create a separate kid friendly base cabinet with roll out drawers just for the kids. This is the perfect place for lunch boxes, travel water bottle or anything your kids might need, right within their reach.
• Add a blackboard. Use blackboard and create a blackboard to leave notes, reminders or encouraging quotes for your family. This is a great way to stay connected and get the whole family involved. No more post-it’s or papers scattered around the kitchen!
• Designated homework station. Fashion a space specifically for homework, crafts or games in the kitchen, this way the family can stay together, talk, ask questions and spend quality time together. Kitchen island or breakfast bars are excellent places to pull up a chair and spend time together.
• Open floor plan. An open floor plan is ideal for keeping an eye on your kids or interacting with guests while continuing your work in the kitchen. No one likes being isolated in the kitchen when all the activity is going on in another room!
• Keep it clean. Stainless steel has a very modern, sleek look, but it can be a lot of work to maintain and keep clean, especially with kids. Black appliances are an excellent choice and easy to keep looking new, but another great option would be investing in appliance front panels. With appliance front panels, you can still have the stainless steel appliances you love, without worrying about the maintenance. Did you fall in love with a certain countertop but are nervous that your kids, who might be prone to spills, are likely to stain your new surface? Don’t worry, now there are sealers for every type of countertop that can protect the natural beauty from your messy kiddos. Quartz countertops are also a great option for active families. You want to spend as much time enjoying your kitchen with your family, not constantly cleaning and tidying up the area.

For other kitchen ideas, be sure to check out our Pinterest board for inspiration and visit our website to see some of our past kitchen projects.

The post The Five Things Your Kitchen Must Have to be Kid-Friendly appeared first on RIGGS Company in St. Louis, MO.

The kitchen is where many of your guests will congregate this holiday season. Here are a few cost-efficient tips that will give your kitchen a whole new look and feel.

1. Cabinets – If your cabinets are in good shape, a fresh coat of paint will give them a brand new life! Remove the doors and begin cleaning and sanding all surfaces. We also recommend using a good primer. Choose a nice crisp color and apply two coats of paint. Let the paint fully dry before reinstalling the doors.
2. Hardware – Often times, new cabinet hardware can make a huge difference. Remove door handles and pulls, and choose new hardware that will update the look of the space. It’s a quick and easy fix that anyone can do, and many styles are available at most local hardware stores.
3. Faucets – A new faucet can give any old sink a fresh new look. To meet your needs, faucets come in a wide array of styles and finishes. Additionally, faucets are easy to install too. Just remember: be sure to turn off your water supply before you start!

As you can see, there are several ways to freshen up your kitchen before the holiday season arrives. If you need assistance with any of your home updates or maintenance projects, RIGGS is here to help!

The post Cost-Cutting Kitchen Remodeling Tips appeared first on RIGGS Company in St. Louis, MO.