Designing A Family Friendly Home
Creating a kid and pet-friendly home isn't just about finding the right furniture. In order to create a space that meets the demands of both your kids' and your pet's while still reflecting your personal style — it takes time, friend.
Time to assess what it is you want + need.
Time to curate each design selection so that there’s continuity throughout your home.
And time to pull it all together in your home.
Needless to say, designing a family friendly home is a production *wink*
But, regardless of whether our full-service interior design team is saving you that time by doing it all for you or you’re looking for a bit of advice — designing a family-friendly home doesn’t mean sacrificing style for practicality.
A home that is truly kid + pet friendly is still, cozy, comfortable, and welcoming. It’s still perfect for entertaining, relaxing, and spending time with your loved ones.
This is why we’re sharing a few simple strategies for balancing a kid-friendly + pet-proof space with the design aesthetic that’ll have your heart jumping for joy!
Let’s dive in, shall we?
Family Friendly Interior Design Begins With Need
It’s no secret that if you’re reading this, kids + pets are near to your heart. Which is why, when we’re designing a home to be kid + pet friendly, we need to consider the kids + pets. And we do that by laying the groundwork.
What’s the function of this space for your family? How do you exist here?
What do you need in this room?
What do the kids or pets need?
Are there any special requirements for this space that may dictate some element of the design?
By beginning with questions in mind — we’re considering what is actually needed for a truly functional space *wink*
In other words, in order to create a drop-dead gorgeous home that will stand up to kids + pets, we need to know what role this space plays in your home.
Design For Negative Space
When creating a layout for kids + pets, we want to take into account their natural inclination for movement. Let’s face it — neither your kids or pets are sitting still in any part of your home for long, right?!?!
Exactly. So while we have clarity on what is needed — we also know that it’s important to consider what is NOT in the spaces we’re designing. In other words, we want to leave what we refer to as negative space. It’s empty. It allows the space to breathe.
Designing with some negative space in mind won’t overwhelm the room with furniture or accessories and will keep, most, things from toppling over. Let’s face it boo, it will give you some peace of mind as the adult in the room *wink*
Create Open Layouts with Both Kids and Pets in Mind.
Another strategy for family friendly interior design is to consider open layouts. As we’ve already discussed, kids + pets are always moving. Psst… where do they get all that energy?
A truly kid + pet friendly home takes into account how the environment, or the design itself, encourages exploration, engagement with others, and generally safe play for both your kids and pets.
There’s all sorts of child + pet safety tips out there but an open layout allows for better management of messes, creates breakable-free walkways + encourages fun in specifically designed areas.
Balancing Function + Aesthetic Of Furniture
Now, let's turn our attention to balancing the function + aesthetic of furniture. When you have little + furry ones running around, some furnishings are better than others.
To name a few, round coffee tables will keep your mini-me's from bonking heads on sharp corners, a large sectional will give the whole family enough room to spread out. Not to mention, you'll probably wan't accessories + lighting that’s placed on surfaces that are intentional in case they were to fall.
In any instance, you want furniture and fixtures that are sturdy enough to withstand the energy of both children and pets. But you also want soft flooring materials that will provide cushioning in case of any falls, tumbles or simply floor play.
Sounds like a lot of overwhelming decisions, we know! These are merely some of the details our design team takes into account when designing your family's home.
Performance Fabrics + Materials For Kids + Pets
Choosing the right fabrics + materials is critical for family friendly design.
There is some pretty-darn chic furniture that is made in stain-proof, or performance grade, fabrics. Yes, stain-proof — the kind that says "nice try" to muddy paw prints, finger paints, red wine spills (we won't tell), you name it.
If you’re digging this, then check out the ultimate guide to upholstery fabrics which dropped on the blog a few months ago.
Some of the best of the best out there are Crypton and Sunbrella fabrics. If you have high-traffic areas + little hands or paws running around, then finding not only the right furniture that you love + fits the space but getting it in materials that will actually last is critical.
But choosing durable fabrics isn’t your only choice for maintaining a beautiful home. Washable fabrics are another family friendly interior design trick. From small rugs your cleaners can throw in the wash to high-quality slipcovers — washable fabrics that won't lose their shape or breakdown with wear and tear are another durable solution.
Declutter + Organize
You know it wouldn’t be an Elegant Simplicity® take on home If we didn’t consider how clutter affects you, your family + even your pets. Without question, there is no family friendly interior design, without considering strategies for decluttering + maintaining an organized space for the long haul.
In fact, it’s why our full-service organizing membership exists because organizing is foundational to a family friendly home.
Consider Storage Solutions
Designing a family friendly home for our clients always centers around ensuring there’s enough storage.
A safe but also fun environment for kids + pets is one where cabinets, drawers, hooks + other storage solutions are utilized to keep breakables, supplies, tools, medicines… ya know the things that are integral to life — up away from them.
From designing built-in cabinets + custom closet solutions to selecting free standing sideboards with ample storage, there are a ton of ways to incorporate beautiful + functional storage in your home.
Regardless of where you’re beginning there’s nothing unattainable for you in creating a home + a life that’s family friendly. If you’re overwhelmed with the sheer amount of decisions to be made and are wanting to dive even deeper into the world of organizing or design — let’s chat.
If you love this — get ready to do another happy dance for our FREE Video Course: 4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home.