Speaking from personal experience, kids destroy everything. They destroy dining room chairs, rugs, and carpets. They draw on the walls…my son even took a permanent marker to my wooden steps!
My other son cut up my leather couch with his Boy Scout knife (which we had to duct tape back together). And let’s not even talk about the Hot Wheels that have destroyed our hardwood floors! What's most distressing, though...we can't have nice things! Or can we?
Technology has come a long way over the years, and I want to share the great news that there are now many kid-friendly sofa fabrics to choose from, rugs with washable covers, and even luxury vinyl planks for scratch-resistant and moppable flooring options.
Oh, and did I mention that satin-finished paints are washable and hold up to the wear and tear of everyday use?!
Here are some of my favorite tricks for creating a beautiful, designer, kid-friendly home…
Tip 1: Select Sturdy, Performance Fabrics
Crypton Intelligent Fabrics are a great option for any piece of furniture. They are stain-resistant, odor-resistant, moisture-resistant, and earth friendly! With plenty of fabric choices, they will allow you to live your life boldly and beautifully.
Leather is another great option for selecting something kid-friendly (...as long as you keep pocket knives away…I still shudder at the thought).
Tip 2: Play with Patterns, Colors, & Textures
It is always a good idea to choose a patterned fabric or something with a thicker texture when considering rugs for high traffic areas, as these will hide stains and dirt.
When selecting accent pillows or throws, consider a pattern rather than a plain color so that those inevitable imperfections stay hidden.
Tip 3: Favor Rustic Furnishings
By using slightly weathered or rustic-looking pieces of furniture, you can stay ahead of the piece looking worn since it is supposed to appear that way! These pieces are great for high-traffic areas where nicks and dings are bound to happen.
Tip 4: Settle on Stain-Resistant, Washable Paint
Sherwin Williams and HGTV teamed up to create a high-gloss interior/exterior paint that is awesome when painting things like cabinets, doors, and trim. This paint has a stain-resistant formula so you can clean it with ease and not worry about losing the shine through repeated scrubbing.
Tip 5: Pick Rugs that Protect Flooring
Rugs are super versatile and a great addition to any home! You can use entryway rugs in the foyers/mudrooms to stop dirt from being tracked throughout the rest of the house as people enter.
Additionally, you can use area rugs in rooms with hardwood flooring to protect floors from normal scratches, wear and tear. Remember, a patterned rug is a great option to hide dirt and crumbs!
Tip 6: Don’t Choose the Cheapest Option
The saying "you get what you pay for" rings true when it comes to selecting furniture pieces for your home! By spending a little more money upfront on higher quality craftsmanship, you can be assured that the furniture will last longer and hold up to everyday use.
Tip 7: Hire Little Helpers in Designing the Home
Get the kids involved in some of the renovation projects around the house! Ask them to help you make a decision on which piece of furniture to go with. Have them help you select a paint color (although obviously, you should present them with the color samples they can choose from so you don't end up with a Matchbox car orange throughout the house…).
A current trend (that we love) for kids is chalkboard paint. Find a cute dresser or nightstand at a yard sale and help your children restore it with chalkboard paint so they have somewhere to be creative too!
While having kids in a nice space can seem overwhelming, today's technology has made things much easier. It is possible (and honestly pretty simple) to have a creative, chic space that is also kid (and pet) friendly!
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See you soon,
Shari