The heart of the home

Kitchens are no longer a room reserved only for cooking up a storm – instead, they’re multi-functional spaces that are fast becoming the centre point of any modern day abode

- Ellie Fells

Perhaps it’s the place where the family gathers together at the start of each day, a room where visitors are welcomed, a home office, or even a make-shift school during lockdown; whatever role your kitchen plays, the likelihood is that it’s used for far more than just cooking. Indeed, for most modern households, the kitchen is well and truly the heart of the home.

‘Life currently means that the need for a space where a family can enjoy precious moments together is more important than ever. I believe that a kitchen in which it’s a delight to spend time can only help to enhance the quality of family life,’ states the renowned kitchen designer, and founder of Ledbury Studio, Charlie Smallbone (ledburystudio.com). However, this hasn’t always been the case.

There was once a time when kitchens were completely separate from the rest of the household. This originates from the days in which wealthy families would have servants, so the kitchen was designated as a place for cooking and cleaning and was therefore kept firmly out of sight. Although it did gradually become part of the main home, up until the mid 20th century it was very much a space for the ‘woman of the household’, whilst any entertaining took place in the living room or dining room, an idea which is of course far outdated today.