Life, Styled
As a parent, you already know that having children changes how you see the world, and adjustments to your schedule are inevitable. When designing a home, you want it to be functional and safe for you and your 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 your family members.
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 a little scrumptious snack for themselves, which is probably how all 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 to set aside some cabinets and drawers for dishes so that the children can grab them without the worry of them 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 and that there is no loud noise when someone shuts it too hard.
- Have a stool handy: When children are small, it is always a good idea to keep a little stool nearby so that they can easily wash their hands or reach for something on the countertop.
The kitchen is the home’s heart, where many hours will be spent. By making these simple adjustments to your design, you can set the stage for creating 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 towels once they are done, which means you won’t have to pick them up off the floor anymore (or at least that’s the idea).
- Low shelves: Make sure that the items they use daily, such as the hairbrush, toothpaste, brush, and soap, are all within easy reach.
- Separate boxes: We know it doesn’t take much for siblings to argue, but keeping their things in individual containers like baskets or decorative boxes that can be stored easily under the cabinet or on a shelf will reduce the chance of tempers flaring.
Little additions to the design can have a big impact on bathroom routines and keep mornings running smoothly.
Specialty Areas For The Kids
Kids enjoy having spaces just for them, especially now with homeschoolers.
- A place to study: Homework is never fun, but having a special place just for it 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 extra items that just don’t fit under the bed or in the closet. Having some additional spaces for them to store their belongings will help them avoid cluttering their room and stay organized.
- A place to sit and dream: Adults are not the only ones who can experience stress or have a bad day. It is excellent for kids to have a place all their own where they can relax and do the things they love. Consider adding a special craft or game room to the design.
We promise that your kids will love having a special space just for them, 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 ones. Talk to your designer about ways to incorporate unique spaces just for the kids.
Greenbrook DesignMany of our clients come to us from an hour or more away, often from the greater Charlotte metro area. A common question we hear is, “Why make the drive to Shelby when there are design centers closer to home?” It’s a fair question—and one we completely understand. That’s why we’d like to share a few key reasons why we believe the experience, service, and value you’ll find at Greenbrook Design make the trip well worth it.
Walker WoodworkingThere are many elements that help assemble the perfect design for your space, such as color, texture, and pattern, but one, in particular, plays a key role in making a statement: the focal point. Without a focal point, a room can feel busy or even boring, as it lacks something that immediately draws the eye. This is one of the reasons it is essential to include a focal point in the design; however, given its critical role, sufficient thought should be given to placing it in the optimal location. How do you design the perfect focal point that stands out without overpowering everything else? How do you best use focal points in a room or design with it in mind? Let’s explore the answers to getting the most out of your focal point.
Greenbrook DesignThe sofa is often one of the first things we notice when entering the living room since it tends to be the largest object in the room. We love to stretch out to watch TV or curl up under a blanket to read a book. Sometimes it also ends up being the quick solution to an additional place to sleep when in a bind. Designers have verified that this is a key piece of furniture for the living room, making it a sizable investment when the time comes for it to be replaced. As it is so important to the design, it stands to reason that there should be some things considered before making your next purchase. What things, exactly, should you look for before finalizing your choice, and what makes a sofa perfect for your home? Read on to find out some helpful tips that can assist you in picking your next sofa.
Home is the place where everyone can fully relax and be themselves. It is the center for all of our main activities, but sometimes we need a space that caters to our specific needs, especially when it comes to husbands and wives. This is why his and her spaces were invented: to give each an area to call their own, tailored to function just for them. From bathrooms to bedrooms and even the home office, having something that functions for your unique lifestyle routine can make a big difference in how you accomplish your day-to-day tasks with minimal stress and maximum success. When designing for these spaces, what should you include? What areas matter most, and how do you create the perfect his and her space within the same square footage? Let’s answer those questions for multiple areas within your home.
Walker WoodworkingPersonal Expression Through Design. There is no denying the truth found in the statement, your home is your castle, and who doesn’t want a custom castle? Now, more than ever, there are items available to help you completely personalize your spaces to reflect your unique personality. There is freedom to break the traditional design rules of the past and express yourself in so many ways by combining what you love into something new. Every area of your home should tell guests your story; it should speak to them of the things that matter most to you. By selecting colors, textures, patterns, shapes, and art that accurately reflect your individual tastes, you can achieve that goal. Don’t be afraid to step outside of the box and share what matters to you. At its core, that is what design is about: using a combination of varying elements to tell your story to the world.
Walker Woodworking 
Greenbrook Design