A homeowner’s lifestyle influences their kitchen design. Whether it’s cooking habits, family size, or entertaining style, real-life routines have a bigger impact on layout and materials than trends or aesthetics. This article explores how to design a kitchen that fits the way people live.
As the heart of the home, a kitchen personalized to the family’s lifestyle will provide essential functionality while giving homeowners the space to reflect their taste. Since people spend so much time in their kitchen, they want its style to match their lifestyle. The best kitchens are a mirror of the people who live there.
How Lifestyle Shapes Kitchen Design Decisions
Family Size and Dynamics
- Large families:
A large family needs the large size refrigerator – possibly augmented with fridge drawers for kids’ drinks. Further, they could use double dishwashers, a larger island or eat-in areas, and durable, easy-to-clean surfaces.
- Empty nesters or singles:
Remodeling homeowners with no live-in family might be looking for a smaller, personalized layout. Or they could want a design for entertaining that includes a wine fridge, buffet station, or wet bar.
Cooking Habits
- Daily cook vs. occasional cook:
For someone who cooks every day, durable countertops, a large prep area, lots of convenient storage, and high-quality appliances are a must.
For someone who only cooks occasionally, a lower-maintenance setup might be more important than professional grade function.
- Type of cooking:
A baking enthusiast will want double ovens, ample counter space and lots of storage for all the specialized appliances baking requires.
On the other hand, a family that grills or orders takeout often will probably prioritize more seating and less space dedicated to the stove.
Eating Preferences
- Formal meals vs. casual dining:
The family that gathers for sit-down dinners will want a separate dining space. A family that eats quick, casual meals or meals on the run to accommodate different family members’ activity schedules wants an island with lots of seating.
Entertaining Style
- Frequent entertainers:
Kitchens with an open floor plan, oversized island, second sink and dishwasher, and beverage stations are must-haves.
- Entertain infrequently, mostly family:
The homeowner who entertains only occasionally and for family when they do entertain will lean toward a more traditional layout with a separate kitchen and dining room.
Work-/School-from-Home
These days, kitchens are multi-functional in that they do double duty as offices or homework hubs. The requirements for these activities include charging stations, adjustable seating and flexible lighting.
Lifestyle Influences Budget and Priorities
Lifestyle determines where to splurge or save: a home chef might invest in professional-grade appliances but choose basic cabinets; a design lover might prioritize custom cabinetry but choose a modest fridge.
Examples of Ways in Which Lifestyle Influences Kitchen Design
1. Kitchen design features for a busy family with children. Focus on functionality, easy clean and durability.
- Large island with seating for casual meals and homework
- Durable countertops, like quartz
- Two dishwashers or one over-sized dishwasher
- Big pull-out pantry for grab-and-go snacks
- Connected mudroom with bench/hooks/cubbies area for school bags and sports gear
- Open floor plan that provides easy supervision of kids while cooking
- Refrigerator drawer for easy access to kids’ drinks
- Low-maintenance finishes, including matte cabinet surfaces that don’t show spills, engineered flooring that can take spills
2. Kitchen design features for a serious home baker. Focus on specialized zones, storage.
- Double ovens or wall ovens at a convenient height
- Large stay-cool marble countertop area for rolling dough
- Deep drawers for baking supplies
- Mixer lift to bring heavy mixer to counter height
- In-cabinet tray dividers to organize cookie sheets, cutting boards
- Open shelving or glass-front cabinets to quickly find baking ingredients
- Extra outlets at counter height for mixers, blenders, etc.
- Walk-in pantry with organization for flours, sugars, and specialty ingredients
3. Kitchen design features for a childless couple who travels frequently. Focus on simplicity, easy maintenance, personalization.
- Low-maintenance appliances, including induction cooktop
- Compact, efficient layout. Possibly galley-style
- Small fridge since they don’t stockpile food
- Minimalist design with easy-to-clean surfaces, sleek cabinetry
- Display shelves and/or glass front cabinets to showcase travel souvenirs
- Security-conscious choices: smart lighting or cameras near doors/windows
4. Kitchen design features for a foodie entertainer. Focus on sociability, luxury, performance and gorgeous good looks. For a foodie entertainer, the kitchen isn't just a cooking space — it's the heart of the party.
- Oversized island as center stage for a party. Ample seating and lots of space for guests to mingle
- Open floor plan so the cook stays part of the party and is not isolated in a separate room
- Professional-grade appliances, such as a 48” 6-burner gas range, double ovens, wine fridge
- Second sink, prep sink or even a butler’s pantry for helpers to do their jobs without crowding the main cooking area
- Beverage station or wet bar so guests can make drinks outside of the cooking zone
- Statement lighting that includes unique fixtures over the island and dimmable lights for mood-setting
- Walk-in pantry for bulk entertaining supplies (platters, serving trays, extra drinks)
- Bold design choices – possibly a dramatic backsplash, open shelves to display beautiful china and glassware, a one-of-a-kind range hood
- Wide walkways (at least 48″) so guests can wander, graze, refill drinks, and chat without jamming up the cook
5. Kitchen design features for baby boomers who want to age at home. Focus on independence, safety, and ease of use without looking institutional.
- Easy access and movement with walkways (42–48” W minimum) to accommodate mobility aids
- Open floor plan that eliminates barriers between living spaces
- Lower or multi-height countertops (30-32”H) to make food prep possible while seated.
- Easy to access storage and organization to include choices such as:
- pull out drawers instead of deep base cabinets
- lazy susans
- pull-down shelves in upper cabinets
- raised height dishwasher
- microwave drawers at a no-bend height
- Smart appliances to include choices such as:
- wall ovens at waist or chest height to avoid bending or reaching down into a deep oven
- induction cooktops that have no open flame. Plus they cool fast
- side-by-side refrigerators provide easy access to both fridge and freezer sections
- lever-style or touchless faucet handles are arthritis-friendly, no gripping or twisting needed
- Bright, layered lighting: Good vision is critical for safety! There can’t be enough lighting:
- overhead
- under-cabinet
- task
- motion-activated lights inside pantry or drawers light up dark corners.
- Comfort and safety includes choices such as:
- non-slip flooring
- rounded countertop edges
Conclusion | Design Kitchens That Align with Your Clients’ Lifestyles
Today’s homeowners no longer want a one-size-fits-all kitchen. Designers who start their design process with lifestyle questions—how a client cooks, entertains, works, or ages in place—can deliver more functional, personalized designs that lead to higher satisfaction (and more referrals).
When you understand your client’s daily routines, you can recommend layouts, materials, and features that truly support the way they live. Helping them make informed choices doesn’t just result in beautiful kitchens—it builds lasting trust.
Bob Aungst Cabinet Sales is a full-service rep agency with the goal of matching kitchen designers and remodelers with the cabinet manufacturers best suited to their business’ style and clientele. Owner Bob Aungst III represents Brighton Cabinetry, US Cabinet Depot, Integrity Cabinets and StyleCraft Luxury Custom Cabinets.