When you have children, everything changes, including the way you cook, go on vacations and spend time at home. Same can be said for your living spaces. What was once a cute, stylish room is now a mess of Nutella stains on the couch and Lego pieces under the coffee table.
That can be frustrating, especially for first-time parents. You spend money on planning your living room, only for it to get all messy once the little ones arrive. Here are some suggestions on how to make your living room both kid and adult-friendly.
1. Introduce the corner
With kids come toys. A lot of toys. Since your children probably enjoy spending time with you, chances are your living room is full of stuff that technically doesn’t belong there but it’s somehow part of it now.
In that case, using boxes to store toys will declutter the space and make it tidier. The best solution would be to have a corner dedicated to kids and their activities. That way, kids will have their own small space and you’ll have the rest of the living room for yourself.
2. Transform the coffee table
Coffee tables can be used perfectly when you want to incorporate kid and parent-friendly all at once. Adding colorful chairs and a mini tea set will soften it up, yet the decorations won’t look out of place. Also, kids can use that space for drawing and homework. The coffee table is a multipurpose piece of furniture, so you can have a relaxing cup of tea and spend time with your kids at the same time.
3. Get endurable fabrics
There’s no worse feeling than getting stains all over your favorite piece of fabric. It’s even worse when that fabric is a cherished sofa that probably cost a lot. And with kids around, stains are guaranteed. It doesn’t matter if it’s food, soft drink or marker pens, the dirty spot is there and getting it out can be a challenge. That’s why is important to use fabrics that can endure a lot. The best is to use a leather sofa like King Living because leather can be easily wiped. Aside from that, you can use colorful fabrics that disguise the stains.
4. Find a rug that is easy to maintain
Everyone who has a family knows how important a good rug is. For toddlers, the floor is the place to eat, crawl and well…do anything. That’s why buying in a rug that’s easy to clean and durable is a good idea. It will give you peace of mind and the kids will be able to play without feeling guilty if they spill their favorite juice.
5. Try making it functional
Every single person with a family knows how important it is to have furniture that’s practically arranged and functional. Adding a table glued to the back of the sofa can be useful if your babies like throwing toys. In addition, you can add baskets under the table to store items and tidy up.
Functionality plays a big role once the kids are around so blending functional and stylish can be a challenge sometimes, but with the right execution, it is definitely doable.
6. Add some special artwork
Pictures and paintings are a brilliant way to jazz up your living room. Even better when that artwork includes your kids’ drawings. If you frame your kids’ work, it will give your living room laid-back and cozy vibe. It’s also a great way of nurturing children’s creative expression and confidence. And if you can draw together with your kids, it’ll turn a living room into a space of laughter and creativity!
7. Get comfortable around the mess
There will be many situations when things will get out of hand. Loud sounds, irritating kid’s music played on repeat, dirt, weird smells…Therefore, it’s necessary to be certain what you want your living room to be like. In case you prefer clean and undisturbed spaces, then maybe having a separate children playroom is a better idea. The decision is solely up to you, but keep in mind that you can always replace the furniture, but memories are here to stay.
