Any parent with a young child will tell you that it is hard to live in a beautiful and safe home. This is because children like to explore and play. They can get carried away, leaving an untidy and potentially dangerous environment. Careful interior designing of your home can minimise the damage that may arise from your young ones’ playfulness environment.
If you allow time, slow down and select the right design that can suit the need of your little ones, then it can help you create a more conducive and safer place for them to enjoy the interior home in their own way.
Pick a neutral colour palette for the principal areas of your home
If you have young children, chances are they will be playing in those rooms during the day. Neutral colours make it easier for them to play without damaging expensive furniture. Pick natural materials such as wood floors, and stone countertops (if possible) – they are easier to clean than carpeting or laminate flooring. Note, if you do opt for wood floor, make sure you have plenty of scatter pillows should your little one be learning to sit or stand.
In the playrooms use light colours on walls, floors, and ceilings, as dark colours tend to make rooms feel smaller and more closed off; white walls can also help brighten up dark spaces but can quickly get dirty so try to find an in between. Lighter colours tend to make spaces feel larger than they really are, which is perfect if you do not have much furniture.
2.Make the layout work for your family
The layout of your house should make sense for you and your family. Think about how often you will entertain guests or host dinner parties, and then plan accordingly! For example, if you are planning to have lots of people over often, use furniture and fabrics that can manage both the children you have and the guests you entertain. We see many low-cost child safe sofa, curtains and fabrics come to market but cheap is not always best and these can wear out quickly. Contacting an interior design specialist such as Julie Bradbury Designs can save in the long run as they can advise the best fabrics for your expanding family.
3. Know your kids’ needs before you set out to design the interior
One major factor to consider when designing a home for a family with young children is to know their needs and how you plan to address them. For example, does your child need an area to play independently? Or do they need the ability to interact with their friends? These considerations will help determine what kind of furniture, lighting, and accessories need to be placed within each room and where they should be located.
Young children have curious minds that love exploring every nook and cranny of their environment. Ensure all potentially harmful items such as knives, scissors, and sharp objects are stored safely away from little fingers, preferably in locked cabinets or drawers, and do not worry with the right consideration wardrobes and cabinets can be designed and installed to work with the room.
4. Set up a designated play area with easy clean ups
A play area can be as simple as a blanket on the floor or as elaborate as a separate room with toys and games. Designate an area where kids can play and have fun while you focus on getting things done around the rest of the house. The best part about having a designated play area is that cleanup will be easy! Just pick up everything off the floor and put it back.
If you have young kids, they will inevitably get their hands on things that they should not. Keep toys and other items out of the main living space when possible so that when something does get broken or lost, it will not be a big deal. If there is an area in the house where kids can safely play without messing up everything else, it becomes much easier to clean up quickly as well!
5. Use furniture that can grow with your child
The best way to design a space for children is to use furniture that can grow with them. This will save you from the hassle of having to buy a new set of furniture every few years as your child grows.
For example, if you have a 6-month-old it is best to use cushions and blankets on the floor that can then be used and moved onto the cot or bed as they grow. Should you have a two-year-old, it would be best to use furniture that has storage and can be used for both sitting and playing. If you have an older child who is more active, it would be better to use furniture that is sturdy and can withstand the rough and tumble lifestyle of children.
Using furniture that can grow with your child will help avoid them feeling like they are being pushed out of their own space. You should also make sure that the furniture is not too adult-like so as not to confuse them.
Conclusion
The five tips above are common sense. However, we wanted to publish this article because decorating with kids in mind is often overlooked when looking for home design ideas. There is no need to make drastic changes or give up on a style altogether, but you can make your home look great for everyone with a few simple considerations.