When Hannah was three years old, she colored all over the wall.
I overreacted.
The leather furniture was brand new when the cat scratched it.
I cried.
When my nephews were younger, they bent the metal canopy frame on Hannah’s new bed.
I cussed.
Our mattress got a tear in it when we moved into this house.
I frowned.
Our bed frame broke during horseplay.
I panicked.
I’ve dripped paint on the floor, dinged up the walls, and dropped things that shattered into pieces. As discouraging as those moments were, it taught me a couple of things:
One, it’s all just stuff and people are more important than things. And two, children and pets and accidents do not mean we can’t have beautiful homes.
If you live with realistic expectations and incorporate these kid friendly home decor ideas..
8 Kid Friendly Home Decor Ideas
Family Living Room Ideas
Buy kid friendly furniture that will stand up to heavy use. Leather is a great option. Others swear by white slipcovers they can wash. What you choose depends on your style and how easy it will be to clean. We chose leather for it’s comfort and durability.
Use ottomans or poufs instead of a coffee table when your children are young. You could even opt for a kid friendly coffee table with storage. All the options can easily be moved out of the way for play time, still give babies a place to pull up as they learn to walk, and are safer than the edges of a traditional coffee table.
Consider using durable finishes like washable paint for the walls, tile, and laminate or wood for the floors.
Use Simple Storage Systems for Your Kid Friendly Home Decor
Create kid zones with bins and drawers for their belongings. Having a space to call their own gives children a sense of ownership and pride in their home.
Have a place for everything. Blankets in baskets, toys in bins, leashes on hooks, books on shelves…it keeps the stuff from taking over your home and helps with clean up time.
Family Home Decor
Keep breakables out of reach of little hands. You can still have them, but with a little kid friendly decorating in mind. Set breakables up high or locked in glass cabinets. When Hannah was a baby, we had safety latches on all of the cabinet doors, except the one where I kept the Tupperware. I wish you could see the picture of Hannah asleep on the kitchen floor, surrounded by storage containers.
Let the kids help decorate their rooms. You might end up with bright aqua walls, but it’s only temporary and you can close the door.
Relax. This is something at which I obviously wasn’t very good in my early years of homemaking. But, the frustration just isn’t worth it.
Susan says
Great advice, Sharon!
Mrs. Hines says
Thank you, friend!