The Family-Friendly Home
As an assistant designer at Alexis Givens Interiors, much of my job revolves around helping to create spaces that are beautiful and elegant but still functional for our clients who have kids. The parents we work with want a home they’re proud to live and entertain in, but they don’t want to worry about expensive lamps breaking or delicate fabrics getting torn or drawn on. As a mom to a very active 2-year old, I totally understand!
Luckily, we’ve found a happy medium when it comes to kid-friendly design. Believe it or not, it is absolutely possible to have a magazine-worthy home that the entire family feels comfortable in. As home design trends move more towards open floorplans, the line between “adult” and “kid” space is becoming blurred. I say, embrace it! Rather than trying to section off formal areas of your house, try using fabrics and furniture throughout that are washable, kid-safe, and will hold up well to wear and tear.
Here are a few tips, tricks, & resources for furnishing a beautiful, family-friendly home:
Bring the outdoors in
Outdoor fabric, that is. For upholstered furniture, instead of a stainable, snag-able linen blend, try an indoor/outdoor fabric like Sunbrella or Perennials. Originally created for awnings, boat covers, and outdoor furniture, these fabrics are durable, washable, and made to stand up to the elements (messy weather and kids alike). You can purchase the fabric itself to reupholster existing furniture in or even choose Sunbrella options from companies like Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware, LL Bean, and others. It’s pricey but well worth it if you want your sofa to make it through the toddler years. Also consider “outdoor” rugs for indoor rooms. Dash & Albert carries a beautiful selection of indoor/outdoor designs that are washable and easy on the wallet.
Make simple swaps
Sure, you love the two-tiered, vintage, glass coffee table you scored at that tag sale a few years ago (back when you actually had time to go to tag sales). But I promise, it won’t look nearly as sleek once it’s sporting chunky, black babyproof foam on the edges. And one stray soccer ball will shatter that glass in seconds. You’re better off swapping out delicate, breakable, and/or dangerous furniture for safe, stylish alternatives. Instead of a coffee table, try a large ottoman (or a few smaller ones). Target has a ton of affordable options, and check out Amazon for great deals on those Moroccan poufs everybody is using (and paying entirely too much for) now.
Reinforce your frames
A friend of mine became super paranoid when her daughter started walking. She was convinced that everything that wasn’t bolted down would somehow fall on her kid’s head. And, while furniture should absolutely be secured to walls (try these; they’re great), I had to convince her that she was going overboard when she started taking down all of her framed artwork. A safe solution is to reinforce your frames with picture hanging strips, like these by 3M. I would still keep the artwork nailed to the walls, but the strips will ensure that everything stays put, even when pulled on by pesky toddler hands. Another tip: use similar strips to stick decorative items and lamps to tabletops!
Washable paint is your best friend
I’m talking interior paint, of course, not Crayola (although I would definitely stick to washable finger paints too!). It used to be that only glossy finishes were cleanable, but paint technology has come along way over the past few years. My favorite line, which I use in my own home, is Aura by Benjamin Moore. As a semi-neurotic toddler mom, I love that it’s low-VOC and off-gasses less than other paints (also a bonus that you don’t have to clear the kids out of the house for 3 days while the fumes dissipate), but it also comes in some great finishes, ALL of which are washable. Now I don’t exactly encourage my daughter to draw on the walls, but I don’t need to squelch her artistic impulses if she decides to create a little crayon fresco. It will all wipe off easily after she goes to sleep!
Have fun with your home!
My overall, top suggestion for family-friendly decorating is to embrace the change and choose pieces that are livable and FUN. Unless you want your kids to grow up in a museum, where absolutely everything is breakable and off-limits, find ways to incorporate items that they’ll enjoy and take pride in too. Create a gallery wall of their framed artwork (Ikea Ribba frames are my go-to; use all white or black to add some uniformity to crazy-colored kid art), add playful furniture that everyone will want a turn on (this rattan hanging chair from Serena & Lily is always a hit), or go all out and install an indoor trapeze bar (how cool is this?!). A happy home is always the most beautiful one!
About the Author: Jillian Grant Lavoie is a writer, assistant designer at Alexis Givens Interiors, and owner of J. Bean & Co. Paper Goods & Design. She lives in Connecticut with her husband & two-year old daughter and spends her days playing tea party and designing pretty spaces and paper things. Okay, not exactly, but a mom can dream.
