Decorate Your Living Room With Kids in Mind

If you have children, you know there’s no such thing as a kid-free room in the house. Children are a part of the family just as much as any adult, so why shouldn’t they feel comfortable everywhere, especially in the room where the whole family spends time together? Therefore, perhaps you should try to decorate your living room while keeping your kids in mind.

The good news is that you won’t need to compromise your style to suit your children. We’ll introduce you to a few tips and tricks, which will allow you to have the best of both worlds when it comes to decorating your living room.

Create an Open Layout

First things first, your children will need as much open space as you can give them. Creating an open living room layout will leave them with more room to run around and play. Move as much as you can against the walls and create more space in the middle of the room. Your kids will thank you, as they will have enough space to open a supermarket or drive their trucks.

Aside from leaving your little ones with more room, you’ll create a better space flow, especially if your living room is connected to your dining room.

Choose Round Tables

Even though this might seem like a pretty logical choice, many people make the mistake of opting for sharp corners. Coffee tables usually serve as accent tables, so when shopping around, look for the ones with the softest edges.

Since coffee tables are typically in the center of the room, your kids will most likely be around them a lot. Plus, the table is at the height they can reach from a very young age, and you will probably want to avoid any unfortunate accidents.

Add Area Rugs

Although bare floors look amazing in an open-concept space — especially the ones with magnesium oxide boards — they’re not practical for kids. Children should have a soft surface that they can play and sit on during the day. That’s why we suggest going for an area rug instead of carpeting your whole floor.

When it comes to area rugs, the choices are abundant. You can opt for any size, shape, style, or color that suits the overall aesthetic of your living room. Besides, they are also quite practical, as they’re easy to move around and clean.

Secure Shelves and Cases to the Walls

With kids, safety always comes first, especially in the rooms where they spend a lot of time. That’s why you need to make sure all of your bookshelves and bookcases are secured to the walls. The same goes for other larger pieces of furniture that the little ones can reach and climb.

While it’s highly unlikely you’ll encourage your kids to climb the shelves and bookcases, you can’t always keep an eye on them. To avoid any serious injuries, take some time and secure these pieces to the walls.

Fortunately, you can take your pick from a plethora of options. If it suits your style more, you can even have the shelves custom-made to fit the living room perfectly.

Shop for Storage

Once you have kids, you can never have too much storage. Aside from updating their wardrobe regularly, you’ll probably have to purchase tons of toys, books, and other knick-knacks every few months. That’s why you should shop around for furniture that provides extra storage.

Look for coffee and end tables with drawers or shelves to add a bit more volume — and, of course, storage — to the room. If you’re planning on getting a bench, opt for one that has storage underneath.

These ideas are great for toys and other things your kids use daily. That way, they’ll always be within your reach.

Opt for Durable Fabrics

You’ll see a lot of spills and dirt while your children are growing up. So, it’s best to set yourself up for success. We recommend opting for durable fabrics that will make your life just a little bit easier.

We don’t have anything specific in mind, but you should know that engineered fabrics are a better choice than natural ones, especially in terms of wear and tear. In fact, upholstery fabric is known to be incredibly durable and resistant.

Naturally, genuine leather can withstand just about anything, but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Faux leather is an environmentally-friendly choice, but you should go for it only if you plan on changing your furniture in a few years since it’s not very durable.

Whatever you decide, do a bit of research before you make a big purchase.