Designing a Kid-Friendly Home: Where Style Meets Resilience
Creating a kid-friendly home is a delicate balancing act. It's about combining style with practicality, ensuring that our little ones can explore and grow without damaging that classic-chic or modern decor that we're so proud of.
Let's explore how to turn your home into a haven that kids and adults can enjoy equally well.
What Makes an Interior Design Kid-Friendly?
A kid-friendly design isn't just about being pragmatic, durable and easy to clean. It involves creating a nurturing environment where children can play, learn, and grow.
Top priorities for excellent kid-friendly interior designs? Spaces for children must include these four things, at a minimum:
Safety: Safety must remain the top priority. Any design for a child’s room should consider eliminating or childproofing potential danger zones. Opt for furniture with rounded edges when possible. Secure furniture to walls with proper hardware to prevent tipping. Consider cordless window treatments. It’s important to cover electrical outlets, but there are many electrical safety options on the market today.
Resiliency: Opt for durable, easy-to-clean materials for upholstery and other high-traffic areas like rugs and carpets, ensuring they can withstand spills and stains. Carpet tiles were originally designed for industrial spaces but present a resilient option for homes with young children.
Flexibility: Choose flexible and multifunctional furniture that can evolve with your child's needs. For example, some cribs convert into toddler beds. Height-adjustable tables and fold-away desks provide additional flexibility. Specialty companies also sell kid-friendly modular furniture.
Style: Match the decor with the rest of your home. You don’t have to compromise your aesthetics or style when making spaces amenable to kids, but with the right planning you can have some fun and look good doing it.
Beyond those four essential criteria, I love to design spaces for kids in a range of styles. I’ve helped families develop homes that include children that are everything from pretty, modern, chic, luxurious, to organic. Next, let’s review some sought-after interior design styles that have kid-friendly applications.
Kid-Friendly Interior Design Styles
Pretty
If you love “pretty design” styles – you’re probably thinking of pastels, delicate fabrics, charming prints, and feminine details. Consider soft but durable rugs, higher shelves for fragile decor, and tasteful decals specially made for walls and furniture.
It’s fun to take an existing adult style – like Scandinavian design – and soften it for kids rooms. Incorporate whimsical themes in a subtle way to keep sophistication intact.
Modern
Simplicity, minimalism, and functionality characterize the modern style. Kid-friendly modern design may include modular storage, bean bag chairs, simple, colorful art pieces, and structured, low-profile furniture with rounded corners.
I frequently design Modern spaces. Think monochromatic color schemes, clean lines, and geometric shapes.
Chic
Chic design is all about comfortable sophistication. In a chic, kid-friendly home, don't be afraid to experiment with large, plush, durable furniture pieces in neutral colors. For a pop of color, add bright cushions or art.
It is possible to be bold and chic at the same time. Use creative storage solutions to keep clutter at bay and retain the room's elegance.
Luxurious
Creating a kid-friendly luxurious space can seem challenging, but it's entirely possible. Look for high-end, durable materials that can endure the kid-test. Opt for darker shades which disguise stains and consider slipcovers for protection. Integrate luxurious elements higher up – spectacular ceiling designs, opulent curtains, or tasteful crystal chandeliers.
I enjoy transitional designs that bring classic homes into the now. This meshes well with luxury looks.
Organic
An organic style implies a cozy atmosphere with natural elements. It's inherently kid-friendly thanks to its emphasis on durability, functionality, and nature.
While the styles I typically design lean toward modern and minimalist, a natural and organic look may pair well with your home’s architectural bones. If so, look for rugged, well-crafted furniture, sturdy wood or stone flooring, and warm, easy-to-clean rugs. Infuse childlike charm with natural-looking wall hangings or decor. Take inspiration from outdoor catalogs, nature, animals, and old standards such as Pottery Barn – and look for ways to innovate on these classics and customize aspects to make them unique to you.
Ready to Start Planning Home Decor for Kids?
Creating a home that's both beautiful and welcoming for children can seem like a daunting task, but remember, a kid-friendly home doesn't mean sacrificing your adult-friendly aesthetics. Incorporating small considerations can lead to a big payoff in terms of durability and peace of mind without compromising your unique style. So, have fun planning, shopping, and creating a space that’s both stylish and embraces even the joyful chaos that kids can bring to life.
As a Buffalo-based interior designer, I am fully committed to helping you create a space that facilitates the growth of your little ones while mirroring your style and preferences.
Feel free to reach out for personalized floor plans, furniture shopping, and other interior decor solutions. Your home should cater to the needs of each family member, and be flexible enough to serve your needs as your family grows.
