How to Design a Stylish Home with Kids in 2023
Here are 10 tips for designing a beautiful kid-friendly home:
This is a subject that I am very passionate about. As a mother of 3 young kids, I know how messy and careless children can be. It feels like your home will never look nice again. Well, I’m here to tell you, you don’t have to wait 18 years to enjoy a beautiful home. You and your kids can both enjoy your home without worrying that they are going to totally destroy it.
I believe a stylish, and beautiful interior can be achieved and still be liveable for our wild little humans. The main thing to remember is to stay focused on durability, flexibility, and beautiful storage. These 10 tips are kid-tested and design mother approved.
#1 No Sharp Corners!
When kiddos are first learning to walk, falls are inevitable. Even as they grow up, horseplay is also inevitable. A round coffee table can soften the look of a room, and also eliminate sharp corners which can be painful if fallen on (saving you trips to the ER).
The Merry Thought
#2 Opt for Ottomans
A kid-friendly alternative to a traditional coffee table is an ottoman. Ottomans provide a soft place for kids to to play, jump, or lounge. You can even find some ottomans that have hidden storage inside (bonus!).
Kelsey Leigh Design
#3 Choose Several Small Tables
Living with kids requires flexibility. Instead of 1 large coffee table, place a few cocktail tables around the room. These are easier to move around and out of the way when your kids break into performance mode or spontaneous gymnastics.
Article
#4 Avoid Tables Made of Glass or Veneer Wood
This goes for dining tables AND coffee tables. Veneer wood is thin and prone to scratching (which we all know kids are likely to do). I would also avoid glass tops, both for safety and sanity. You can almost never keep them clean from finger prints! Instead, look for solid wood, sealed stone, or metal. These are materials that can stand up to most anything your kid related.
Ladybird Designs
#5 Choose the Right Fabrics
My three go-to fabric choices for kid-friendly interiors are leather, outdoor fabrics, or darker fabrics. Leather is easily wipeable and ages gracefully. Outdoor fabrics allow spills to bead on the surface rather than absorb into the upholstery. While darker fabrics do a great job of hiding everything.
Jean Stoffer Design
#6 Pick Patterned Rugs
I’m sure this is a no brainer, but solid rugs or ones without much variation show everything - crumbs, spills, you name it. In a kid-friendly home, I always choose a rug with lots of pattern, movement, and color. I love a true vintage wool rugs, but another option is to select an indoor/outdoor rug. These can stand up to spills, but are made of synthetic materials. Not ideal for families with crawling babies.
Tessa Neustadt
#7 Select Seating with 8-Way Hand-Tied Construction
What kid doesn’t love to jump on the sofa? Now I stress more about them falling than wearing down the seat cushions. That’s because I choose seating with 8-Way Hand-Tied construction. This method is a premium choice over the cheaper version of Sinuous Spring construction that can quickly loose it’s shape and comfort.
Three Birds Renovations
#8 Skirted Sofas = Sneaky Storage
While we are on the topic of sofas, a slipcovered option with a skirt is chic and timeless. They happen to serve double duty for stashing board games and puzzles.
DecorPad
#9 Invest In Built-ins
Parents ALWAYS need more storage. Custom built-in storage adds elegance, functionality, and value at once. They are an investment so consider working with a professional to design it right. (Hint: I may know someone ;) If you ever sell, you’ll likely recoup much of that investment back.
Christopher Lee Foto
#10 Choose Wipeable Dining Chairs
We’ve talked the most about the living room, but it isn’t the only place that needs thoughtful attention. Enjoy a stress-free dinner by choosing easy to wipe materials. Some good options are leather, wood, or molded plastic (think Eames chairs).
Ladybird Designs
