If you have children, your goal is a home that is livable, attractive, and kid-friendly. But you don’t want a home that looks like a daycare center.
Keeping the following custom furniture tips in mind will help you create a family-friendly space that is also beautiful and functional.
Keep it Cozy
If you’re hoping to create a kid-friendly interior that holds up to sibling food fights, messy art projects, and endless rounds of indoor hockey, embracing a decorating style that’s durable is essential. Aim for neutrals with a hint of texture to stand up to stains and the inevitable mess, and layer in color and pattern through rugs, pillows, and window treatments.
Keep kid-friendly interior designs cozy with seating that encourages snuggles and reading. Whether it’s an oversized armchair, comfy Papasan, or pile of pillows on the floor, make sure your kids can sit and spend some quiet time by themselves or with friends.
Aim for storage that doubles as a design element. Adding an extra closet rail in your child’s room, like this sweet Instagram find, is a great way to add more space while preserving floor area for play. In the same way, tucking a commodious basket or sliding attractive boxes into open shelving can help keep clutter under control and transform an everyday item into a handy storage solution.
It’s also important to include plenty of natural light, especially if your kids will be spending lots of time inside. Natural sunlight helps to stimulate the brain and promote relaxation, so it’s a great way to keep your kids calm and happy.
If your kids are involved in the design process, they’ll feel more invested in their room and may think twice about kicking muddy boots onto furniture they helped select. Getting them to pick out a few pre-screened paint and fabric samples is another way to get them more involved, and it’ll also teach them about the importance of taking care of their home.
Keep it Safe
The first time your child throws a bowl of cereal or spills paint on the new lounge chair, you might be shocked. But it is important to be prepared for these types of mishaps, so keep a stain remover handy and a bottle of Wite-Out nearby. In addition, you should invest in furniture with round edges and a low profile. Rounded corners are safer for kids who often move around the room unpredictably and cannot always be supervised. You may also wish to cover up sharp or pointed corners with stick-on corner cards, without compromising the furniture’s design aesthetic.
Children in this age range are beginning to crawl and toddle around the house, so keeping their safety in mind is crucial. Avoid tall or unstable furniture, and make sure that there are no exposed electrical outlets or GFCIs near the floor. You should also consider covering any stove knobs to prevent them from being accidentally turned on and if you have a fireplace, have it covered with a screen to avoid sparks.
At this stage, children are perceiving colors more and can be easily scared by things like menacing scenes or scary characters on TV. Having a soft night light and a security blanket or “love” to cuddle with can help ease their fearfulness at bedtime.
Keep it Flexible
While it’s great to design for kids, don’t make the mistake of designing for the future, then hold off on decorating until your children are older. If they’re invested in beautiful furniture (and another décor) from the start, they’ll take more care of it — especially if they get to choose their own color, fabric, or rug. Color and pattern help camouflage spills, fingerprints, and other messes, too, so opt for fabrics that lean a bit darker and incorporate some touchable texture. Carve out dedicated spaces for storage in shared rooms so clutter doesn’t overwhelm the décor, too. For example, tuck a cedar chest in the corner of a family room to store toys and board games.
Shop Woodhaven Furniture’s quality custom upholstery, durable rugs, and versatile storage solutions for your entire family.
Keep it Fun
Children love to explore the world around them, and if you can encourage this sense of adventure in your design plan, you’ll have kids who are excited to spend time in their spaces. This means incorporating playful elements like chalkboard walls, an easy-to-update art gallery for their masterpieces, and even built-in rock-climbing walls.
Getting children involved in the design process, whether by asking what colors or fabrics they would like to see in their rooms or asking for their feedback on pre-screened samples, can help them feel invested in their furnishings and may encourage them to treat them with more care. Opting for fabric colors that lean on the darker side or incorporate patterns can also help hide marks and stains more effectively.
Creating a kid-friendly space is a rewarding and enjoyable project. Keep the above tips in mind, and you’re sure to have a room that your family can enjoy for years to come.