When you have children, getting the balance between practicality, comfort and style right with regards to your home décor can be a particularly tricky task. You want the kids to be safe and comfortable, but equally, you don’t want your whole house to be turned upside-down and end up resembling a nursery more than a home! Luckily, creating the perfect child-friendly space doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on the dream design vision you have for your home.
The perfect solution is to find that ideal middle ground;the home that looks good, is comfortable and can stand up to (most of) whatever the kids throw at it. When considering the design of your home, it’s important to bear in mind that a house which looks stunning but is massively impractical will very quickly end in disaster.
To help you out, here are five top tips to make sure your home can meet everyone’s needs.
It’s all about compromise
The key to a successful life is acompromise. Whether it’s agreeing on whose turn it is to do the dishes or who gets to deal with the unenviable task of putting the little one back to bed for the fifth time in one night, compromise allows for a smooth life and an easier ride – the same can be said for the home.
Striking the balance between your personal requirements and the children’s needs helps you to create a space that can easily benefit everyone, also helping to avoid further issues or complications further down the line. Do you want a wooden floor? Add some fluffy rugs to cushion the fall should a little one trip.
After all, when you look hard enough, you should be able to find a solution to almost anything.
Practical doesn’t have to mean boring
It’s also worth bearing in mind one simple thing – a functional home needn’t be a dull one.
Don’t be afraid to embrace all the chaos and unpredictability that comes with family life. In fact, why not incorporate this into your home life? Opt for bright colours, intriguing textures and bold patterns in order to make the most of the fun children can bring to your home. Plus, when accidents do happen, vibrancy can help to camouflage the lasting reminders of all those inevitable spills and stains.
Storage solutions
A family comes with a lot of clutter, and it’s incredibly easy to fall into the trap of letting all this mess take over your home. Instead, keep anything necessary near to hand and ensure that everything else is tidied away, out of the sight and reach of inquisitive hands.
Built-in storage systems are a great way to keep on top of the chaos. It’s also well worth investing in a sturdy toy box or several child-friendly storage cubes or boxes for their bedroom or playroom.
Child’s play
Children need plenty of space in which to play, so it’s important to bear this in mind when you begin the process of updating your home. A dedicated playroom is great, but many people simply don’t have the space for this. A good alternative is to turn a corner of their bedroom or your living room into a custom play area, filled with their favourite toys. This is also a great way to keep an eagle eye on younger children as they play while grabbing a quick five-minute sit-down on the sofa!
The finishing touch
Child-proofed and optimised for comfort, the only thing left to do is to inject your own personal stamp onto the décor. Classic homeware products like coffee tables, stylish curtains and elegant lamps are one thing, but when you have young children, you need to ensure that anything you want to include is either child-friendly or out of their reach.
Luckily, a simple solution is to simply place all your delicate ornaments, clocks, and any glassware products, including stand-out LSA vases, on shelves or mantelpieces which are too high for little ones to reach. That way, you can still have your favourite possessions on display without the fear of the kids accidentally damaging them!
Of course, throughout the process, it’s important to remember that no two families are the same, and accordingly, the needs and requirements will vary from home to home. Whichever way you decide to decorate your home, be creative and make it your own for a house that everyone can be proud of!
XOXO
Debbie
*This is a guest post*
