5 of the Most Stylish Kid-Friendly Kitchens Out There

As almost any parent can attest to, kids tend to take over your home as soon they come along. With all the toys and child-proofing gear, and the mountains stuff they use on a daily basis, it can sometimes feel like you’re living in their home — not the other way around. Which is why we get so pumped each and every time we see families living stylishly and effectively in their space.

Let these cute, kid-friendly spaces inspire you to cook up something new in your home that will make all your family members — big and small — happy.

In this Los Angeles home of Alison and Jon, a simple palette of gray and white sets the tone for their family’s eat-in kitchen. The parents to young twins — Ruby and Noah — chose a funky starburst tile pattern as the backsplash to keep the space feeling fun, while inexpensive IKEA stools, a vintage runner, and destruction-proof quartz countertops keep the space practical.

See the whole house: A Vaulted & Vibrant Home in Los Angeles on Apartment Therapy

Every parent knows that kids love color, so it makes sense that homeowners Liz and Josh popped lots of fun blues into their family of five’s California kitchen. Sturdy teal metal stools are a great place for kids to do countertop crafts or homework, and a barn-wood table, eye-catching pendant light, and well-styled open shelving are the perfect way to work in touches of “adult” style.

Take a tour: The Mascot Owners’ Free-Spirited Full House on Apartment Therapy

We can totally get behind homeowner Cyndi‘s parenting motto. As the mom of two girls under eight, she decided not to kid-proof the house. As Cyndi puts it, she wanted to teach her girls to “live in a space that to a lot of people seems like adult only.” And so this is her kitchen — with stacks and stacks of dishes. We actually think the open shelving could encourage the girls to learn where things go and be more self-sufficient.

See more pics: A Colorful, Fearless Arizona Home on Apartment Therapy

Everything has a place in this Oslo townhouse, and for good reason — it’s home to Edith, Ole, and their toddler, Ebba, so you can understand the impulse to pack everything into cabinets, lest little hands get ahold of it. If this kitchen proves anything, it’s that copious amounts of storage doesn’t have to be unsightly. A slew of IKEA cabinets get an upscale touch, thanks to marble countertops, a limewash backsplash, and designer dining chairs.

Look around: A Clean & Colorful Oslo Townhome on Apartment Therapy

This Houston, Texas home was completely renovated in order to put the bedrooms downstairs and move the kitchen and family spaces upstairs. The resulting second floor is incredibly open. “We wanted room to run around,” says Judy, who lives in the house with husband, two young kids, and a pup. What kid wouldn’t want to grow up in this space?

Check out the rest of the home: A Modern, Vintage Houston “Tree House” at Apartment Therapy