Kids are messy. They are excitable. They want to have fun, and they live loudly. Delicate design and fragile décor just don’t mix well with kids – especially when they are young. However, just because you want to hold off on investing in your home properly until the kids are older does not mean that you have to put everything on hold. There are so many great design updates that are kid-friendly and can even make it safer for your children in the long run.
These design tips aren’t the same as you would use to baby-proof your home. For example, you don’t need to protect every corner and lock cupboards so that your kids don’t hide on you or get into your cleaning supplies. Instead, you need to think about how busy you as a parent are and what you can do to make your home easier to live in for everyone.
In This Article
Easy-Peasy Storage
Kids are messy, and neither you nor your kids will have the energy to clean and put everything away in its place every single day. However, what you can do is make it easy to hide the mess, so to speak. A big toy chest is a great way to easily toss toys back into their proper place when the kids are done. If you don’t have a lot of space, you can even use that toy chest as your coffee table.
Baskets, chests, and other big-box storage items that are designed to be a place to dump toys and crafts sounds messy, yes, but they are also the realistic method of keeping your living areas tidy!
Simple, Easy Design Should be Easy to Clean
Some design elements are beautiful but hard to clean. Curtains, for example, are a pain to clean and maintain, meaning you just won’t get around to it. Over time dust, debris, and bacteria can grow on them, making them a cesspool of allergens right in your home. Don’t do this to yourself and keep it easy. Modern plantation shutters are stunning, easy to clean, and easier to adjust to suit your every mood.
Try to find similar solutions for multiple areas in your home. If it’s difficult to clean and maintain, it will only become a stressor in your life. Instead, look for options that are easy to clean, and you’ll be well on your way to kid-proofing your design.
Use Hard-Wearing Materials
Cheap paint might be good for your budget, but they are not long-lasting and certainly not kid-friendly. The same applies to a variety of porous materials, from wood countertops to white couches. When choosing materials to design your home, always think about what would happen if your kids spilled juice or ice cream on it. If you can clean it without a problem, it’s good to go. However, if it’s going to stain or the paint will rub off when you try to clean it, you need to reconsider the material and the quality of the item you are looking at.
