Designing for Kids

Open-concept living spaces are fantastic for kid-centric families. You can be in the kitchen while keeping an eye and ear on the kids!

The kids are going to spill something. And we know they’regoing to wipe their hands and noses on the furniture too…  

• Leather is a durable material that will stand up to years of wear and tear from kids and pets. It’s easy to wipe down and keep clean and will maintain its good looks over time. If you’re worried about scratches marring the finish, look for a distressed leather, where scratches will blend right in!
• Performance fabrics are a must. Neutral furniture is a smart choice for the base of any living room. Layer on throw pillows in a variety of textures and colors, and you’ve created a stylish space for the whole family. Look for fabrics that are nubby or woven, as they’re more likely to hide stains and smudges than smooth, flat upholstery. 
• Consider slipcovers that can be easily removed and washed. 
• With kiddos and fur babies running, crawling, playing and rolling all over your floor, your living space needs a soft, durable and easy-to-clean rug. Opt for wool or natural fibers since they’re durable and don’t stain as easily. Another option is to look for an indoor/outdoor rug. Not only do they come in almost any pattern you can imagine, but since they’re designed to withstand the wind, rain and sun, they’ll also hold up to your rugrats. 

No one wants to see a new walker take a nosedive toward the corner of a coffee table. And those plastic corner buffers aren’t what anyone would call chic. There’s a compromise between safety and style: consider buying a round table or pouf. There are dozens of styles and colors to choose from, and some are even big enough for board games! If you must have something square, consider a fabric ottoman.

When it comes to seating, you will want to be sure everyone in the family has a spot. Comfort and placement can work wonders in bringing a family closer together. After all, spending time with each other is the main goal! Choosing a modular couch is your best bet here. Furniture that can be altered to fit your family’s needs should be top of mind.
An extra-deep, cozy sectional is the perfect spot for the entire family to pile on.
No one likes getting on their hands and knees to search for small toys and items below a table or sofa furniture. Go for legless pieces. This will save you an enormous amount of time and frustration searching for all of the missing toys and puzzle pieces that find their way under sofas and chairs.

Look for pieces that double as storage. For instance, a round coffee table that features a flat top for playtime, along with a handy deep drawer for stowing away toys. Quick clean up options are a must for maintaining a clutter-free and stylish living room.​

Be sure to include spaces for play – puzzles, art projects, games and tea parties! There are great kid-sized play tables and desks that are good-looking and practical too.

Designing a kid-friendly kitchen involves incorporating elements that prioritize safety, accessibility, and engagement. Here are some key considerations and tips.

Step Stools: Provide sturdy step stools so kids can reach counters and sinks safely. 

Low Shelves: Designate lower shelves or drawers for kid-friendly items like snacks, utensils, and plastic dishes. 

Kid-Friendly Zones: Create areas specifically for kids, such as a low countertop for meal prep or a homework station.

Interactive Spaces: Set up a chalkboard or whiteboard on the fridge or a wall for kids to draw or write on while you cook. 

Miniature Kitchen Tools: Have kid-sized kitchen tools so children can help with cooking and baking. 

Visual Appeal: Use colorful and playful decor to make the kitchen inviting for kids. 

Undercounter Appliances: Incorporating under-counter appliances like refrigerator drawers and microwave drawers allows your kids some independence.  

Clear Containers: Use transparent containers for snacks and ingredients so kids can easily see what’s available. 

Labeling: Label drawers and shelves with words or pictures to help kids find and put away items independently. 

Dedicated Spaces: Allocate specific areas for kids’ items to keep the kitchen organized and clutter-free. 

Also Consider…

• Choose Easy-to-Clean Surfaces.
• Design a seating area kids can comfortably eat, do homework, or engage in activities while you cook. 
• Install safety gates.

Designing a kid-friendly mudroom involves creating a space that is functional, organized, and easy for children to use independently.

Low Hooks and Cubbies: Install hooks and cubbies at kid-friendly heights so children can easily hang up their coats and backpacks. 

Personalized Spaces: Assign each child their own cubby or locker with their name or a fun design to keep their belongings organized. 

Shoe Storage: Use low shelves, baskets, or bins for shoe storage that children can access easily. 

Bench Seating: Include a bench with storage underneath for putting on and taking off shoes, and for additional storage. 

Labeling: Use labels or pictures to help children identify where items belong, making it easier for them to put things away. 

Message Center: Create a family message center with a chalkboard, whiteboard, or corkboard for notes, reminders, and schedules. Charging Station: Include a charging station for electronic devices to keep everything in one place.

Children grow and change so quickly, and so do their tastes and preferences. One moment your son can’t get enough of Buzz Lightyear and the next week his world is all about Transformers. Similarly, your daughter may outgrow the whole pink/princess phase.
So, how do you make their rooms keep up with their ever-changing “must haves?” It’s best to keep a neutral palette for the basics; buy furniture pieces that lasts; and change out the soft goods and smaller accessories according to your child’s age and current obsessions. Here are some tips to help you create a bedroom room that evolves with your child.

Children really do grow up so fast. Get ahead of the growth spurt with a space that can grow with them. In designer Marie Flanigan’s newborn daughter’s room, she opted to include a versatile daybed alongside a traditional crib. Right now, the piece is a cozy spot for late-night feedings, but one day it’ll be her big-girl bed with a trundle for sleepovers.

Designer Courney Warren illustrates this point regarding the design of her son’s bedroom. “My son’s love for all things sports dictated the decor of his early bunk room, but I nixed cartoon bed-in-a-bag solutions,” she says. “Instead, I used vintage pennants, photos, and jerseys along with coordinated-not-matched pillows and quilts to suggest the theme.  Although we moved from this house a couple years later, this vintage sports memorabilia-inspired decor easily transitioned to our new house and his preteen years.”

When it comes to kids’ room paint ideas, white or light neutral paint will give you great staying powder and more flexibility for easy changes down the road. But, having said that, paint is also the most economical update, and it gives the biggest impact. And with all of the temporary, easy-to-install murals and wallpaper today, a bold papered wall is a great choice too.

Designing a bathroom for your kiddo? These bathrooms feature playful and practical design details such as bath toy storage, easy-to-reach towels and so much more.

Any parent knows that when you have multiple kids sharing one bathroom, chaos ensues—especially when everyone is trying to get ready in the morning and you’re already running late. With two separate vanity stations, this bathroom allows two kids to brush their teeth at the same time, cutting down on time spent waiting and fighting during the morning routine.
If you love the idea of two vanities but don’t have the space in your bathroom, look for a larger sink—such as a trough sink—with multiple faucets. It’s a great way to create at least two tooth-brushing stations without the extra cabinetry.

The tiniest details can have an impact in kids’ bathrooms. Consider hanging up cute towel hooks (drilled in or adhesive) that match the theme of the space. This handy wall of hooks gives each kid a spot for their towel and robe, so there’s no excuse for leaving wet towels on the floor!
Bathrooms tend to be forgotten rooms when it comes to hanging up wall art. But this is a great strategy for making a bathroom feel more fit for kids. Abstract art, paintings of their favorite places, animal portraits, or anything with either soothing or poppy colors is a winning choice for this space.

Low-standing sinks in public restrooms make it easy for little ones to wash their hands, but they’re not very practical for a home bathroom. Instead, add a step stool to help your tots reach the sink. And it doesn’t have to be a big, clunky plastic one. We love the sleek, pullout step stool that’s built into this vanity.

If you’re renting and can’t make permanent changes to your child’s bathroom, swapping the fixtures is a temporary way to have fun with color. This bright orange faucet adds a touch of whimsy to an otherwise neutral space.

Let your tween showcase their personality and express themselves with a bold wallpaper. If you’re having flashbacks to a horrific experience removing wallpaper, don’t worry—wallpaper has come a long way, and these days there are tons of removable options.

Bathroom cabinets sometimes need to be locked to keep chemicals and cleaning supplies out of reach of small hands. If you need more space for your kids’ bath items, we love this colorful storage tower that maximizes vertical space while leaving additional low, open storage for towels and baskets.

Open vanities allow for creative storage solutions, like these adorable forest animal baskets. So cute!

There’s no reason your playroom can’t be just as stylish and elevated as the rest of your home! Dark cabinetry, plush seating, and miniature furniture in playful shapes are just a few options that will keep your playroom from detracting from the overall design prowess of your home.

Play spaces evolve as the interests and activities of our kids grow and change, so embrace a flexible layout. Set a functional foundation with one major “permanent” piece of furniture to anchor the room, like a sectional or a sleeper sofa, then, swap out the secondary pieces like art tables and accent chairs over time. A playroom with storage and fun furniture can easily be changed out with a TV and game tables to transition from playroom to den/game room!

Install Climbing Structures

Who said we can’t play inside? When the weather is bad, or there isn’t room in your yard for a climbing wall – you can incorporate it in your kids’ room or playroom!  

Explore Rock Climbing Holds 

Rock climbing holds are the building blocks of climbing routes, offering climbers a diverse array of challenges and opportunities for growth. By understanding the different types of rock climbing holds and their functionality, you can help your child enhance their fine and gross motor skills, improve their flexibility and strength, and boost their confidence! 

To calm everyone down from bouncing on their bunkbed, rock climbing, or going down the slide 100 times, we bring you reading nooks!  

Creating an inviting kids’ reading nook will give kids a go-to space to get in the habit of reading and help them cultivate a lifelong love of books.  You can carve out a dedicated reading nook in the bedroom, the playroom, or the hidden area under the stairs. All you need is book storage, comfy seating, and proper lighting to give children a cozy spot to settle in.