Whether the kitchen serves as family central or you use it just for cooking and eating, you want to be happy and comfortable there. Dawn Ritchie and Kathryn Robyn, authors of The Emotional House [0] (New Harbinger) and owners of a home consulting practice in Los Angeles offer simple tips to help you organize and redecorate your kitchen to fit your family's personality and needs.

Focus on function "Lifestyle dictates design style," says Ritchie. First pinpoint what would make the space operate efficiently and comfortably. "Spend time in your kitchen with a friend or spouse and identify how you work there, where your kids hang out," says Ritchie. "Then develop solutions around the way you use your kitchen." Your needs might lead you to choose child-friendly softer floors (wood or vinyl instead of tile, for example) or rounded edges on furniture and counters. Or you might invest in a rolling island to increase storage and work space.

Make it welcoming Hang a pendant lamp over a breakfast nook or table to make a focal point that provides task lighting and draws people to sit there. "If you don't have room for a table and chairs in your kitchen, at least have a stool so another person can sit and visit with you while you work," says Ritchie. For toddlers, set aside a small area with a rug, a table, and chairs so they can safely stay in the kitchen with you but be out of your work area.

Display your tools  Ritchie suggests using pretty pot racks and baker's racks to artfully display cookware, dishes, and appliances and make them more accessible. Use attractive containers for dish liquid, hand cream, and liquid soap to transform these necessities into the d‚cor.

Clear clutter and boost storage Use tiered lazy susans, flip-down cookbook holders installed under cabinets, hanging wire racks on the back of cupboard doors, and ceramic pitchers for utensils to keep your work area clear and add storage.

Personalize with color Giving each family member a say in the design makes them feel welcome in the kitchen, says Robyn. Visit a paint store and have each person pick their favorite colors from the paint chips. Then use the shades you had in common as the dominant colors in your design. Or if you can't agree, use neutrals prominently and let each person pick an accent piece in their favorite hue.

Repeat patterns Choose a pattern, like the stripes on your placemats or the diamonds on your floor, and repeat it in small doses around the room to bring continuity and familiarity. If you have flowers in your curtains, for example, put fresh flowers on your table.

Use fabric Make a coordinating tablecloth, placemats, and curtains to unify your kitchen and add color and texture, suggests Ritchie. Washable cotton rugs underfoot at the sink or stove provide cushioning for your knees and back, says Robyn. A rug under your table defines the area.

Add art Create a rotating gallery for your kids' handiwork, whether it's the refrigerator door or a wall strung with picture wire. Or use chalkboard paint on a wall or door inset to make a reusable drawing surface. "In a three-panel door, you could have one panel for kids to draw on, one for a chore chart, and one for the shopping list," suggests Ritchie.

Julia Maranan, a former editor at Natural Health magazine, is a freelance writer and editor specializing in health and fitness.

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