I get it! You want nice things and have everything organized, but you have kids. You want your space to look like a designer designed it. Guess What? YOU CAN! I’m a mom of 2 lovely girls one a 6 year old and a 12 year old. I totally understand needing a space that looks good, but then also it need to be easy to clean especially with little hands prints on my sofa cushion.
When going about your home we need to look at the space differently. We need more durable and functional furniture. Proper storage solutions, Accessorizing and spill proof easy clean up material.
Sounds good? Let’s take a look at 4 kid- friendly solutions for your home!
1. Durable and sturdy Furniture
When choosing a sofa or chair I would consider washable material like leather, micro fiber or washable fabric or perhaps slip covers.
Tips to go by when buying a sofa: the frame need to be built strong with woods like kiln-dried oak, ash, or beech. The cushion should have eight-way hand-tied springs and High-resilient (HR) foam.
I found out this interesting fact on picking a fabric for a sofa or chair.
44% Rayon, 33% Polyester and 23% Cotton will attribute to a more durable fabric. This is the fabric that you use for a family room couch. If you are looking for high durability, your best bet is heavy use fabric that is over 15,000 double rubs. Polyesters, combination upholstery fabric and some commercial blends are included in this category. Chenille is very popular combination fabrics that have great hand an look. A blend of fibers, such as rayon, polyester and cotton add durability of the fabric.
I believe investing in a good sofa is a must. Buying a cheap sofa would be gone in a year and your back in the store buying another sofa. Which I believe is a waste of money. I learned the hard way and bought a sofa that is cheap from a well known company and within a year it broke and then got a replacement and that broke also. I swear! That is aggravating and a waste of money. Pay attention to what type of material is being used and also how the sofa is built. It would be less a headache in the long run. Sofa is an investment. Please invest in a good one.
For those bumps and bruises that children get because of falling and hitting their head on furniture, I would consider round tables, upholstered ottomans as tables.
2. Proper Storage solutions
Built-in shelving units and cubicles are very functional and look beautiful. you can customize built-in units to your specification and needs. I love designing these for my clients! You can add functional baskets and decorative boxes to hide toys and books etc.
3. Accessories
Accessorizing is what completes the space, but children some reason likes to play with our stuff and then it breaks. To avoid that is by placing breakable items on shelving and mantles. Place them high up. Place non breakable and soft objects low. Hang pictures and mirrors. A creative idea is you can hang up your kids artwork by framing them and displaying it like an art gallery. It’s fun looking and the kids feel special.
4.Easy clean up material
If you want carpeting choose Low pile rug and carpets (No shag) It is easier to vacuum. Another option is carpet tile like from http://www.flor.com
It’s durable and washable and if a tile is messed up you can replace that 1 tile instead of the whole carpet or area rug.
Stains is NOT our friend! How can we avoid them. When something spills choose hard material for easy clean up. Choose hardwood floors and tile. Counter tops choose quartz like from Cambria My Fave!, Caesar-stone and Silestone etc. ( Don’t need to seal them like marble and granite Very Durable) . Many styles to choose from.
I hope this helps when it comes with designing your home for the family. Design it the way you like it and don’t be afraid with having nice things. You can! Go for it! You deserve it!
Following a few guidelines on what to look for as far as durable furniture pieces for easy cleaning and strength to last, safety furniture pieces like round tables and/or ottomans for no more BOO-BOO’S.
Durable materials and stain resistant surfaces for easier clean up . Keep breakables up high and storage units for those many many toys and gadgets.
Rooms should be welcomed to all family members to enjoy and make memories. No off limit rooms.
Functional and Stylish spaces for the
whole family!
Extra Thought… Clean Air for the family! No Toxins for our kids or you to breathe in. Lighting beeswax candles instead of toxic fragment candles and non- toxic soaps to use for a healthy body and home! STAY Tuned for my next blog on that
Happy Styling!
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