Decorating for You and the Kids {updated}

A lot of moms wonder how they can have their “dream space” and not have nightmares about destruction or injuries. But you can!! Trust me…..;) Our children are almost 5 and 9 and I have always been passionate about decorating our home. Through trial and error (and a few tears) here are a few things I’ve learned about “kid-friendly” decor. Take into consideration these 7 tips and let your decorating passions go wild!

1. Space layout

Okay, we know children are going to run through the house and use the furniture as a jungle gym at one time or another. So, first things first, make sure there is a good flow in your house but try not to let this stop you from putting seating arrangements close together for conversation areas in your living room. Coffee tables should be 16 to 18 inches from the couch so that you can easily place drinks on it, or prop your feet up, etc..

via Pinterest

House Beautiful

2. Fabrics Choices

The most durable fabrics are ultrasuede, twill, denim, velvet, wool, flat weave fabrics, and other natural fabrics woven with a little synthetic fiber. To learn more about choosing a couch or other upholstered piece of furniture, click here. Also, consider using throw pillows with removable covers for easy cleaning and if window treatments get handled often (or if there are allergies in the family), machine washable is the most practical.

Image via Apartment Therapy, Fabric choices from Room and Board

3. Shapes of furniture

If you have smaller children, I am sure you have thought about the shape of your furniture. “Captain obvious” says to try to avoid hard corners and edges. Upholstered and/or round shapes are two great options for coffee tables. Poufs are also a great way to add style to your room and kids love them.

HGTV

Image via Juditbustos.es

4. Rugs

Machine made rugs made from wool or synthetic material have the most durability and are the easiest to clean. Of course, synthetic rugs will not last as long as wool but can be a great, less expensive option for those families with younger children. It is possible to find 100% wool rugs at a great price in stores such as Home Goods or Tuesday Morning. This might be the only time I will say “stay away from white” unless you are braver than I, my friend! (click here for more tips on choosing, purchasing, and placing rugs)

Up to Date Interiors

5. Lamps and other decor

The things that break! Antique stores and consignment shops are great places to find well made, nearly indestructible decor items. Look for metal lamp bases with a shape you like, spray paint to fit your style. Pharmacy floor lamps are a nice option too. Wall sconces and ceiling pendents will be out of reach so you can use what ever you like. Look for decor accessories that are made of metal or plastic so little hands can’t hurt them. (Bookends, bowls, vases, candle pillars, and figurines.)

Up to Date Interiors

6. Special items

Items that are non replaceable you might want to put it in storage for now. Otherwise, display your breakable items on the top shelves of your bookcases or etageres or use wall shelves that are placed out of reach .

roomenvy.co.uk

decorate-style-floating-shelves-under-stairs

Domestic Adventure

7. Toy storage

Baskets and bins placed under the coffee table or on the bottom shelves of your bookcase will keep toys out of sight when it is “grown up” time but in a reachable area for small children. If you have a family room and a living room consider limiting most toys to the living room.

Domestic Adventure

image via nurserynotations.com

On a side note, we use a basket of books for the kids in our living room and games and puzzles in the family room. The rest of the toys stay in the kid’s bedrooms. We have been doing this for two years now and bonus, we play more games, do puzzles, and read together much more often. I know this isn’t practical for all families, but you can always experiment with toy placement and storage in different rooms, your kids might surprise you.

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Comments

Anonymous says
May 17, 2013 at 3:45 am
You are so gifted at writing! Your voice really carries the conversation of your blog and you have obviously done a lot of research to add some great tips! Keep them coming
- Kathy says
  May 19, 2013 at 12:55 pm
  Thank you for the kind words!
Anonymous says
May 19, 2013 at 6:28 pm
Love the storage ideas in baskets and fabric bins on shelves
Anonymous says
September 7, 2013 at 3:34 am
Great post. I hadn’t thought of a basket in each room. That would make life so much simpler.
will comment back – http://www.oldfashionmom.com/
Anonymous says
September 7, 2013 at 3:34 am
Great post. I hadn’t thought of a basket in each room. That would make life so much simpler.
will comment back – http://www.oldfashionmom.com/
- Kathy Baugher says
  September 8, 2013 at 1:05 pm
  Thanks, it does make it easier to control clutter!
Erin @ Domestic adventure says
August 8, 2014 at 8:49 pm
Thanks so much for the features!
- Kathy says
  August 12, 2014 at 10:13 am
  You are welcome. THANK YOU!! They were just what I was looking for. 🙂