Designer Thoughts: Designing an open living family area that combines beauty, calmness, organisation, and child-friendliness may seem like an impossible feat. But with a touch of creativity and some clever strategies, you can create a space that is both visually appealing, clutter free and practical for a wonderfully hectic and beautiful family life. In saying this, the fact is you have kids, life is going to be messy and imperfect, so if it’s a perfect display home that you want then you either have to be a full time cleaner in your own home or you’ll need to hire one, or you’ll end up having a complete nervous breakdown before your kids even start school. Some people couldn’t care less if their living rooms have colourful kids IKEA boxes, kids books on display, bright kids furniture and lego piled in a plastic box in a corner, and I think that’s fabulous and beautiful if it works for you. But if you’re like me and are simply a happier, calmer, better human when your home doesn’t make your eye twitch, has a sense of elevation, style and organisation, and you like to end your day with a glass of vino and a very tidy home, then these are my tips that will help you design your interior that is clutter-free, calming, and easy to live in – even with little ones running around! I've also added links to some of my favourites.
Embrace Aesthetically Pleasing Multifunctional Furniture
When you have kids, space can quickly become scarce and your entire body, mind and home has been invaded by these tiny feral humans (but we love them and they are cute sometimes so we’ll keep them around). Opt for furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes, such as ottomans with hidden storage, IKEA’s HOL Storage Table or nesting coffee tables that double as play tables paired with Mocka’s Mini Moo Stools or Hudson Chairs.
If budget allows - Nook’s ridiculously cute (and not offensive to the eye) Modular Play Sofa or the Sacha Storage Bench from Nuage Interiors would look beautiful in any living room. This way, you can maintain a good looking, clutter-free environment while still providing plenty of room and opportunity for your little ones to play.
Create Kid Zones That Don’t Really Look Like Kid Zones
Designate specific areas in your home for kids to play freely. It could be a corner in the living room, around the coffee table or a dedicated playroom. By creating these kid-friendly zones, you'll contain the chaos while allowing your children to have their own space to unleash their imagination. But there are options now for kids furniture that actually look lovely in your open living spaces, so your kids can be out with you while you’re in the kitchen, at the dining table, on the sofa and you’re not looking at bright pink and green kids chairs and tables. Plus, it makes tidying up much easier! I would even go so far as to have warm neutral or muted hues kids plates and cutlery etc so it doesn’t give me a complete headache when they are lying around. Most of us like rugs in our living room or under our dining table, but eew they get so gross with kids around. Try Miss Amara’s huge range of washable rugs !
Baskets, baskets, baskets and ... Scarves
A clutter-free home is ideal for maintaining a calming atmosphere. Get some nice decorative baskets, (they don’t need to be expensive, even just Kmart or the bargain shop has cute baskets.) They’ll be pretty on the outside, filled with kids crap on the inside. Most baskets don't have lids, so get some beautiful scarves on sale or from the op-shop that tie in nicely with your home but aren’t too precious if they get wrecked or dirty, and after your speed-clean-toy-dump of an evening or before guests arrive, simply throw the scarves or throws on top of the plastic ugliness and voila! the toys are out of sight out of mind (for a little while anyway)! I also have designated baskets that I gather all the kids stuff that needs to go into their room and be put away, sometimes the baskets sit there for days, but it’s an easy tidy up and I don’t need to stare at their junk spread around my house. These baskets will not only keep toys and other kid-related items organised but they also add a soft, relaxed touch to your home.
Involve the Kids in the Design Process
I personally can’t do this, because my 9 and 7 year olds have terrible 9 and 7 year old aesthetic preferences. This is why I have given up on their bedroom and let them have all the colourful sparkly ugly random things in there, but the rest of the house is designed by me :-) You might have delightful kids with an eye for warm neutrals and appreciate lovely materials and finishes … So try and get your children involved in decorating their own spaces if this works for you. Allow them to choose the colours for their bedroom walls (guided by you … try muted hues that could grow with them like Dulux Lama, Dulux Wasabi, Dulux Diva Rouge, Porter’s Petal Pink, Porter’s Frozen, Porter’s Mist, Resene Soul Searcher, Resene Cut Glass), or they could select their bedding or pick out their favourite artwork. By including them in the decision-making process, you empower them to take pride in their environment while adding their personal touch to your home.
Use Durable and Washable Fabrics
When it comes to upholstery and furniture, opt for durable and stain-resistant fabrics. Life with kids is messy, but that doesn't mean your home's beauty has to suffer. Choose fabrics that are easy to clean, so you can quickly wipe away spills and accidents without worry. Be sure to follow the protection process for your selected fabric. The supplier or salesperson can provide additional information on fabric protection, which gives you extra certainty in guarding against spills and stains!
LINEN - Linen is an amazing fabric and has a perfect way of looking relaxed but stylish, timeless and luxurious. It's made from a very strong flax, so it's impressively hardwearing. It can absorb a fair amount of liquid without getting all soggy or showing signs of dampness. It can soak up about 20 percent of its own weight and you won't even be able to tell it's wet. This gorgeous fabric stays strong, maintains its colour and is incredibly durable. Linen is my favourite, but the only downside is that it can shrink and get wrinkly, so if the covers are removable just wash them on a gentle cycle and take it out of the machine when it's still a little damp to mould it back to its shape.
LEATHER - Leather is another great choice for sofas and chairs. It's incredibly durable and easy to clean, which is so important for busy households. leather has a truly timeless look that fits perfectly in any style of interior. It can be on the pricey side compared to other fabrics, but it's worth every penny because it will last you a lifetime. As time goes by, leather develops a beautiful, one-of-a-kind patina that adds character to your furniture which I absolutely love, but isn’t for everyone. It’s great for busy families with kids because leather is resistant to stains, spills, and even those pesky scratches. So, if you're looking for a practical, timeless and stylish choice for your furniture, leather is definitely the way to go.
SYNTHETIC - Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon provide similar advantages to cotton, including durability, breathability, and stain resistance, all this often at a lower cost. But of course, for ethical and/or environmental reasons, some people may have a preference for natural fabrics. Synthetic fabrics have gained significant popularity in upholstery due to its durability and low maintenance. Not only are synthetics resistant to wrinkles, dirt, fading, moisture, mold, and pests, it is also surprisingly soft to the touch. Therefore, if you desire both attractive and comfortable upholstery that will withstand the effects of time, this is a great choice.
COTTON - With the ability to resist wear, fading, and pilling, cotton stands out as a highly durable fabric for upholstered furniture. By blending cotton with other fibers, enhancing its strength and incorporating a stain-resistant finish, as well as choosing a heavy weave such as denim or sailcloth, you can further increase its durability. Ultimately, these adjustments make cotton nearly impervious to damage. Additionally, affordability is another advantage of cotton, making it an excellent option for those on a budget who desire lasting durability.
St Barts | Thin Arm Sofa | Cotton | Natural
Safety First, Style Second
Of course designing a child-friendly home means prioritising safety without compromising on style. Invest in childproofing essentials, such as cabinet locks, outlet covers, and corner guards. Look for child-friendly furniture with rounded edges and avoid sharp or fragile decor items that could pose potential hazards
Feel free to contact me to discuss your upcoming project, whether it be a Full Home Design, Interior Design or Boutique Commercial Design. You can Contact me directly or you can fill out the Design Service Form and I will get back to you shortly to organise an Initial Design Consultation!
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