You’ve heard the saying “having kids changed everything.” At Bon Brise Design, we know that even includes how you decorate your home, the materials you choose, and which areas you decide to renovate first. Gone are the days of sharp edges and all-white furniture. While you have to make allowances in your design, you certainly don’t have to give up your sense of style.
Whether you’re decorating the living room or the nursery, there are a few tips you should know about choosing materials that will help you create a space that is child-friendly, while still showcasing your style.
Paint
Walls and woodwork will become dirty and damaged when you have kids in the house. There’s no escaping it! However, there are certain paint finishes that are easier to care for. For walls, satin and eggshell finishes are the easiest to clean. If you prefer a matte finish, there are washable flat paints. If your child enjoys drawing on the walls, try painting an accent wall with chalkboard paint. For woodwork, satin or semi-gloss are durable and easy to clean, to better resist the black marks from kids’ trucks and scooters.
Fabric
When choosing fabrics, look for high-performance upholstery fabric that has a multitude of colors or a great pattern, to avoid seeing those inevitable stains so much. You want a heavy-duty fabric to withstand the traffic, so avoid lightweight fabrics and focus on boucle, twill, or high-performance velvet and flat weaves. Leather is also a good choice because it can easily be wiped clean.
Furniture
It’s not easy, but try to avoid furniture with sharp corners. Look for rounded tables and pieces with soft curves. Low couches with thick seats will prevent too many falls. Look for dining room chairs that are heavy enough to avoid being easily knocked over. When installing art, bookshelves, and dressers make sure they are properly secured to the wall to prevent the pieces from falling.
Flooring
While carpet is great for crawling babies, it’s not our favorite when it comes to design. Plus, we all know carpet gets grungy after a few years with kids in the home. If you decide to go with carpet, get one in a medium or dark tone and make sure it has a stain-protective surface. If you have hardwood floors, then it’s time to look for rugs to soften things up. Consider having your rugs professionally treated with a stain preventor, such as ScotchGuard.
Being a new parent isn’t easy! Let Bon Brise Design take on your renovations, decorating, and home design for you. Schedule a consultation with us today.
