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8 Tips For Family-Friendly Interior Design

Got kids? Check out these tips from the professionals at HGTV on how to put together rooms that will stand up to family life and still look fabulous.

Here are eight things to put on your ‘To Do’ List right away:

Do consider how you really live.

A room that looks beautiful but doesn’t take into account the demands of everyday family life will quickly be destroyed or end up like Grandma’s stuffy no-go zone. Instead, incorporate a decorating style that will stand up to sibling food fights, vomiting babies or indoor hockey matches. Consider who you live with and decorate accordingly. Hint: That means checking the colour of the stains on your sofa before choosing a hue for the new one.

Do decorate without delay.

Many families hold off on decorating until their children are older, making do with ratty post-dorm furniture for years after its expiration date because, well, the kids will just destroy anything else. But even the youngest children benefit from living amid beautiful objects; they grow to appreciate and respect them. So go ahead and create a home the whole family can enjoy.

Do go for a no-fuss look.

A clean-lined but casual and comfortable look is the way to go. A softly layered, slightly boho look melds well with the happy chaos of family life. Do incorporate colour, pattern, or texture.

Forget the white silk couch. Instead, opt for vibrant colour, a bit of pattern and touchable texture. All help to camouflage the inevitable spills, fingerprints and other mishaps.

Do choose indestructible materials and finishes.

“If it seems like your family belongs in an institution, use institutional-quality goods,” Wiener says, only half-jokingly. A look at the toughest materials for the job: Walls: Wipeable paint is a must. You can’t go wrong with eggshell, satin or semi-gloss, which clean up with a damp sponge. Windows: Long drapes that pool elegantly on the floor? They’re a tripping hazard, a hide-and-seek spot, and an “I wonder what will happen if I tug on this?” experiment waiting to happen. Instead, opt for simple, wipeable wood blinds or roman shades.

Fabrics: Heavy fabrics with a flat weave will hold up much better than lightweight or looped fabrics. Easy-care, practically stain-proof choices include vinyl, “pleather,” ultra-suede, twill, denim, velvet, wool, felt and other natural fabrics. Floors: For entries, hallways and family rooms, look for flooring that cleans up with a damp mop. Tile, wood, laminate and linoleum work well. Area rugs: Whether you have wood floors or wall-to-wall carpet, area rugs can be lifesavers. They soften and warm a space and protect floors from kids — and vice versa.

Do make space for kids.

Carve out areas in common rooms for children to do the things they enjoy. After all, part of making your home family-friendly is welcoming kids (and their stuff) into shared spaces instead of relegating them to bedrooms and basements.

Do incorporate savvy storage.

Clutter is an unavoidable part of family life, but that doesn’t mean it has to take over your home. Make storage a design element by tucking commodious baskets into empty corners and sliding attractive boxes into open shelves.

Do prepare for minor disasters.

No matter how carefully you select furniture and finishes, when kids are in the mix, accidents will happen. So stash wipes and stain removers in key spots around the house.

Visit www.sadecor.co.za for a list of suppliers in one click

For the original article with even more ideas visit HGTV.


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