Family-Friendly Living By Design
Story Rebecca Hay
Having a sophisticated home that functions for your growing family is possible. With a little extra thought and creative planning, you can achieve a cohesive, functional, family-friendly home.
Space planning is the first step to creating a grown-up, yet kid-friendly, home. How do you currently use your rooms in everyday living? The answer to this question could be vastly different from how you think you should use the space. Don’t be afraid to go against the intended use of your rooms, choosing instead what works best for your family.
Swap Rooms
As a designer, I often consider changing out the purpose of a room to suit our client’s lifestyle. For example, many modern families no longer have the need for a traditional living room at the front of the house. You can swap this impractical sitting area for a home office with custom built-in shelves. Add some extra personality by cladding the backs of the shelves in a rich wallpaper like a navy grasscloth to add depth. Cabinets below can hide toys or board games for occasional playtimes. The once-formal space can be transformed into a cosy den that’s a convenient place to sit back and read a book or squeeze in a conference call to the office.
Ditch The Dining Room
We occasionally have clients who don’t require a formal dining room, as they share their meals at an eating nook adjacent to the kitchen. Converting a dining room into an open space for entertaining can add an extra wow factor. Instead of a rarely used formal dining table, you could instead place a beautiful grand piano that steals the show. Just because the room isn’t being used the way it was intended by the builder doesn’t make it wrong. It makes it yours!
Mix Old and New
Family living means the items in your home need to withstand wear and tear. A great way to do this is to mix old and new elements. Instead of holding on to tired furniture, find unique vintage pieces to mix in with new finds. By blending older items with contemporary pieces, you’ll worry less about damage from children, and you’ll make your home feel more curated and upscale.
Accessorize Wisely
Use restraint when purchasing accessories, and only invest in pieces that speak to you. Shop consignment and antique markets for unique statement items that will spark conversation and keep your carbon footprint low. Your home should be a curated collection that your kids will grow to appreciate and cherish. You can also layer wallpaper in areas where sticky fingers will land – with great vinyl and wipeable options, wallpapers are a dream for family homes. Adding sophistication is a bonus.
Be Flexible
I encourage my clients to think beyond the traditional uses for their rooms – how you expect a room to function is not always how it works best. Live your life by a design that suits how you wish to truly live every day. It’s your house, for your family, and function should remain foremost. Making sophisticated spaces practical can seem impossible, but family friendly homes require flexibility. With careful observation and a little thinking outside the box, you can tweak a layout to make it fit your modern lifestyle. OH
Designer Rebecca Hay is principal of Rebecca Hay Designs Inc.