How to Decorate When you Have Children
HOW TO DECORATE WHEN YOU HAVE CHILDREN?
What is a Child-friendly Living Room?
When you have children, you are often faced with a household dilemma: how to arrange your living room in order to make it functional for both adults and children. Of course, many of us may have a designated playroom or many toys in their children's bedrooms or even in the basement. However, children also enjoy spending time with adults, which means your living room can end up looking like a messy playground. So why not amalgamate two spaces and have the space where you come home to unwind and relax, also be the space they can enjoy as well.
Living Room or Playroom?
As adults, when we arrange a space like a living room area, we typically limit our design to mimic an adult-zone only. We may have a specific style or colour palette we stuck to, and have many breakables or expensive decorative items that are just not child friendly. From experience, I can tell you that it’s no easy feat when you bring their world into yours.
I have two kids, an eleven-year-old and a five year-old, and I often become frustrated when my newly renovated living room becomes congested with toys and books. So, one day, I decided to incorporate some child-friendly features into the room.
First, I needed storage for the toys. I opted to use the drawers that are part of my television stand. Two drawers was more than enough as we were not bringing every toy they owned into the space, rather some so we could both share it. Since books did not fit as well into the drawers I cleared some space on our bookshelf near the bottom where they could reach. Now I had toys and books neatly tucked into our space without compromising the style.
Adding Extra Space
I didn’t think that was enough, I wanted the kids to have a space where they could sit and do activities or homework with us, or with each other. In the corner I added a small play area with some chairs and a table. By using the same style and colours of kids furniture I matched what was in the room - this way their small set up still created a cohesive look. You can also add a nice rocking chair, or bran chair. The trick is to choose furniture that matches the existing style of the living area. This was a win-win for us! The kids love it, and we’re able to enjoy their company and they're all in one room without too much clutter or mess.
Hiding the Mess!
Since kids toys are usually plenty, hiding them when not in use worked well for us. If your media unit doesn’t have drawers, you can try to add wicker or canvas baskets to shelves. The same principle can be used with an existing bookshelf. Add the kids toys to small baskets and display neatly on a row they can easily reach. If you don’t have any shelving accessible, try adding a small ottoman that opens up for additional storage. This is a great way to save space, and store all the kids toys hidden away.
Use the Walls
Children love to draw and get creative, but don't you hate it when you have to get out the magic eraser because the walls are all marked up? Why not give them a space to draw and get crafty. Use a small spare wall or a section of your wall and paint it with a matching chalk paint colour to your living room. This will give your kids a designated spot to draw and avoid any “accidents” elsewhere. Don’t want to paint the walls? You can provide them with a hanging chalkboard or whiteboard that can be hidden away after behind a wall facing couch or tv unit.
There is nothing more encouraging for children than spending time with their parents in a cozy and functional space that welcomes everyone!