Kitchens are increasingly becoming an important place for families to spend time together and it seems that they can evoke memories of happiness even later in life.According to a group of researchers at a university in Canada, there are certain features of a kitchen that can make it more attractive to toddlers and young children, which they often remember in their 20s. A survey conducted by the group found that kitchens that were cold with hard edges and dark colouring were unappealing to youngsters and could even affect their relationship with food. Following the study, the authors from Concordia University in Montreal came up with some top tips to make a kitchen more child-friendly. One is having a good-sized kitchen table, with lead author Dr Jordan Le Bel saying The table acts as a focal and rallying point.He added Think of the approachability and conviviality of surfaces and textures.A lived-in kitchen with soul and a table that invites exchange and socialisation will probably give you more pleasure and happiness than a cold stainless-steel one.