As a parent, you already know that having children changes how you see the world, and adjustments to your schedule are inevitable. When it comes to designing a home you want it to be functional and safe for both you and the children, this does not mean that you can’t have a style that reflects you but here are a few tips to make it work for all the members of your family. 

The kitchen and your kids

Since the kitchen is where all the food resides it comes as no surprise that children love to hang out there. Many even like to try their hand at making something a little scrumptious snack for themselves which is probably how all of the celebrity chefs got their start. When thinking about the kitchen design here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Keep things low: plan for some cabinets and drawers to be set aside for dishes so that the children can grab them without the worry of it slipping from their hands and falling to the floor.
• Have snacks within easy reach: all children enjoy a little independence and being able to grab a snack by themselves is a win-win for both of you. Consider having a shelf with baskets in the pantry that is at their level where you can put some fruit and simple snacks.
• Soft-close doors and drawers: no one enjoys getting their finger caught when closing a door or drawer, especially little hands. Installing the soft close feature ensures that this doesn’t happen along with no loud noise when someone shuts it too hard.
• Have a stool handy: when they are small it is always a good idea to keep a little stool nearby so that the children can easily wash their hands or get something off the countertop that they might need.

The kitchen is the heart of the home and where many hours will be spent, by making these simple adjustments to your design you can set the stage to create wonderful memories.

Kids bathroom

Perhaps not as exciting as the kitchen it is still an essential part of the house and kids will spend some time here especially in the morning and evening. Some helpful design tips include:

• Hooks: having hooks makes it much easier for kids to hang up their towel once they are done which means you won’t have to pick it up off the floor anymore (or at least that’s the idea). 
• Low shelves: make sure that the items they use daily like the hairbrush, toothpaste and brush, and soap are all within easy reach.
• Separate boxes: we know it doesn’t take much for siblings to argue but by keeping their things in separate containers like baskets or decorative boxes that can be stored easily under the cabinet or on a shelf, there will be less chance of tempers flaring.

Little additions to the design can have a big impact on the day to day routines that take place in the bathroom and keep your mornings running smoothly.

Specialty areas for the kids

Kids enjoy having some spaces just for them, and especially now with homeschoolers. 

• A place to study: homework is never a fun thing to do but having a special place just for them can make it much easier to stay focused and get it done.
• A place to store: all kids have things that are special to them or have extra items that just don’t fit under the bed or in the closet. Having some additional spaces for them to store some of their things will help them avoid cluttering their room and staying organized.
• A place to sit and dream: adults are not the only ones who can experience stress or have a bad day. It is great for kids to have a place all their own where they can just relax and do the things they love. Consider adding a special craft or game room into the design.

We promise that your kids will love having a special space just for them, a place where they can have a moment to themselves or store the things that matter to them. Here are a few additional ideas for making your home perfect for the little members. Talk to your designer about ways you can incorporate some unique spaces just for the kids.

Let’s get started

From staircase reading nooks to custom kitchen cabinets with extra drawers we have helped multiple families find the right balance between style and function that meet with everyone’s satisfaction. Our design team is ready to help you create a layout that works for everyone including the little members of your family. We are a family business so we understand how important they are. Give us a call to schedule an appointment.