Are you postponing buying “real furniture” until your kids leave for college? Design now! Don’t hold onto the hand-me-downs and post-college collections. Kids who grow up with an aesthetically pleasing space learn to respect their surroundings and enjoy their homes. But where do you even start to try to pick furniture and items for your home that will stand up to your daily life with kids? That’s where we come in. We are here to help you navigate designing your space knowing you really live in your house. And let’s be honest, life with kids gets messy!

Safety is priority! Furniture used in homes with children "ought to be safe in every way, no matter the age of your children. You may need to purchase furniture with soft surfaces, rounded corners, and child-friendly materials. You may also add guards for your corner edges.” (quote pulled from Desert Design Center website).

And finishes are paramount! Choosing the correct finishes will make a huge difference in the life of your pieces, how they perform and how you view them.

• “Ultra suede, microfiber or faux leather upholstered pieces are great for children. The ultra suede is hard to tear up and great for kids and pets, while microfiber is durable and affordable. Faux leather looks like leather but it is more scratch and stain resistant. Leather is also suitable for a family with kids due to its durability and clean-ability but it is more expensive than faux leather.” (quote pulled from Provision website).

• Solid wood and metal pieces are not only more durable and will last much, much longer they’re also non-toxic. Have you ever considered how much toxic fumes come off of particleboard and fiberboard constructed furniture? It’s a lot! And if you fill a room with cheaply made furniture, these fumes can have damaging effects.

• Patterns are your friend. Many people shy away from using pattern in design, but when designing with children, pattern hides a multitude of sins. Using a patterned upholstery on chairs can make a world of difference or try a scrubbable patterned wallpaper to keep walls looking fresh.

Kids rooms are always a fun space. When your children are small, you may consider a theme. Designing around your child’s favorite cartoon character or beloved animal makes a child feel seen and heard. But as your children get older and mature, design the bones of their room in neutral colors and functional pieces. Pre-teens and teens like to redecorate and change as they get older. Having a neutral base makes it easy to update the decor with easily swapped out items like, art, bedding, lamps and rugs.

Your kids live in every room of the house just like you do. Make them feel included by using scaled pieces to fit how they live. We’re not saying you should have two of everything like an adult sized sofa and a child sized sofa, but having things that fit them does make everyone more comfortable. You could utilize low profile pieces like sofas or coffee tables that will make a child more at ease and protect those kids who tend to be climbers!

We have a million tips and tricks for making life easier with kids. And if you haven’t stopped byour showroom, come check out our lines of furniture we are certain will make your life more appealing with kids!

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Stylishly yours,

The Chelsee Sowder Design Team