Have you ever been to a home where it’s clear that the kids have taken over the space? It’s obvious that it has become more of a playground, filled with toys and bright-colored plastic everywhere — the odds of stepping on a lego are very high indeed. Homes like this often sacrifice style for durability or stain-resistance. Does this perhaps sound a bit too familiar? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us! The good news? It is possible to create a space that incorporates the beauty of a stylish home with the practicality of living with children. Here are a few design tips to help you go from lego danger zone to a beautiful space for the whole family.
- Be Realistic – We all love to drool over those Insta worthy shots of crisp white sofas and delicate glass vases (looking at you HGTV!), but if you live with kids, you will want to opt for something more durable. However, this doesn’t mean everything needs to be coated in plastic like your Nana’s house was. Natural fiber furniture in neutrals are great at hiding stains while looking stylish; choose a sofa with removable cushion covers you can pop in the wash as needed (you can get fun ottomans with removable covers too!). Display beautiful wood or stone accent pieces instead of glass, to cut down on accidental breakage.
- Less is More – Channel your inner Marie Kondo and get in touch with your minimalist side! Uncrowded rooms allow for the excess energy of fast moving children. Give them room to play. Less toys also means less mess when they’re all inevitably spread over the house!
- Double Duty Furniture – Get creative, organized, and still be super stylish! Look for stylish bins or hidden storage units such as ottomans (pop up storage cubes are wonderful for this as well) where you can quickly dump excess toys when guests pop by.
- Create a Play Station – Carve out a special place for the kids to play, such as a basement family room or a cozy attic. This not only cuts down on clutter, but gives kids their own space that is uniquely theirs. Keeping larger playsets and toys there may keep some of the ‘kid clutter’ contained to one area of the home.
- House Rules – Develop a few simple rules and then be disciplined about it. For example, a good house rule is that toys are gathered into storage units each evening before dinner. Cleaning things up a bit at a time makes it less overwhelming and there will be less repeated requests to “please, clean your room.”
Most of all, strive for a livable home. It’s almost impossible to have a picture perfect home with kids, but by taking a few simple steps, you can merge a kid-friendly environment with a beautiful adult home
Anytime between “now” and “right now” is a good time to take action on shaping your best life, and that includes where you live. Let’s get the ball rolling on your next steps.
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