Newsflash: just because you have kids, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice having a stylish home. Though in a sea of toys, it can sometimes feel that way! The trick is to strike the right balance between form and function so that your home and its contents look beautiful, but serve a purpose. Here are six solutions for creating a fashionable interior, whilst keeping the children in mind.
Stylish storage
Any parent knows that controlling clutter is a full-time job, but with the right storage, you’ll be able to keep your place clean and chic. Soft felt or knitted baskets are life-changing. Affordable and on-trend, kids can keep their toys in one, whilst you can store throws, magazines or iPads in others. Wall hooks are also both pretty and practical and why not consider using your space vertically? Opt for floor-to-ceiling storage with built-in bookcases where you can keep priceless possessions out of the way of little fingers!
Family-friendly flooring
Designed to be both water- and scratch-resistant, laminate flooring will see your family through years of tears and tantrums without showing much wear and tear. Easier to clean than carpet and less slippery than wood, you can get timber-effect laminate that looks just as good as the real deal. If your budget is bigger, you might want to consider vinyl-grade tiles, polished concrete or cork floors, too. Don’t stress if your DIY skills aren’t up to scratch, you can pay a professional to lay them for you.
Washable wears
Fancy formulations mean white walls aren’t on the banned list for parents. Stain-resistant paint will give your walls extra protection from grubby hands and flying food – all you have to do is wipe away any marks with a damp cloth. Pre-empt the inevitable spills and stains to your sofa with removable covers that you can take off and wash at home in the machine. Parents – 1, Children – 0.
Open plan living
Open plan living is ideal for families. It increases space, improves natural light and makes your family feel more connected. Plus, it makes supervising kids a whole lot easier as you won’t constantly be following them from room to room to make sure they’re not getting into mischief! Consider expanding windows or moving the kitchen to look out over your garden, too. This way you can keep an eye on the kids whilst you cook or sit down for a tea. Obviously a reno like this is a big investment so get multiple quotes from qualified and licensed builders for the structural work.
Kids’ artwork
Add a personal streak to your home if you’ve got a little Picasso on your hands. Instead of pinning children’s artwork on the fridge, get creative. Hang some clipboards on the wall and rotate the mini masterpieces, get a favourite piece blown up into a big canvas print, buy a multi-frame set and create a gallery wall or get a tradie to make you a Pinterest-worthy wood and wire art display shelf.
Multipurpose centrepiece
Instead of a sharp-edged coffee table, opt for an ottoman. They come in a range of shapes, sizes and materials to suit your space and style and they’re super versatile. Most come with storage space inside where you can stash toys if you have impromptu visitors. They also have a flat surface so you can balance books and remotes on them, plus they make the best foot stool after a long, tiring day.
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