family

Life, Styled

Designing For The Whole Family

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.

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 meets 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.

When space is limited, it is valuable and greater thought is invested in creating a design that maximizes square footage to provide a functional space for the homeowner. Both manufacturers and designers alike are continuously thinking of new ways to give their clients the things they need, but using less space. One such item is the Murphy bed, yes, the one used in multiple comedy routines, but it has evolved into a stylish piece, yet remains as functional as ever. It is also comparable in price point to a traditional bed. Could the Murphy bed be the solution to your limited space problem? Let’s unpack exactly what it is and how it can help give you additional room in your home.

What to do when you don’t have the luxury of square footage? How can you create storage when there is not a lot of room, to begin with? Can you make small spaces work for you? These are good questions that we have helped our clients answer numerous times. While it may present more challenges than a larger home, it is possible to have the necessary storage for you to keep everything you need on hand. Small is not bad; in fact, it comes with multiple benefits, and a good design can help you maximize the space you do have to build a home that is exactly right for you. Let’s talk about some creative storage solutions for small spaces.

We always say details matter, and that goes beyond a project. Your home is filled with details that tell your guests who you are and what matters to you. Artwork, pottery pieces, and furniture are just a few things that give homeowners a chance to show off their style. Another area is hosting, and tablescapes have become a beautiful, fun way to share your own unique design choices with family and friends. Whether it is for a small gathering to enjoy time with those you love or to celebrate a special occasion, there are many ways to create the perfect look. By combining different colors, patterns, or materials, you can create a tablescape that will dazzle your guests, whether you prefer an elaborate or simple design.

Window treatments have made an interesting journey through the years in interior design. From floor to ceiling and mere window length, they have travelled the full circle of style. Today, window treatments can come in a variety of forms and options, plus they do more than just block out the sun; they can finish the look of a room and add the necessary touch that brings out the homeowner’s personality. Windows are our connection to nature and are an essential part of the home, which means they deserve proper consideration and care. They are also an area of the room that naturally draws the eye of the homeowner and guest alike. Most of the time, however, windows tend to be overlooked.

There’s nothing quite like the warm weather and smell of blooming flowers that come with springtime. While you may have grown used to cozying up indoors during the colder months, now you can start spending more time tending to your garden, playing with your kids in the yard, and kicking back on the patio while enjoying the sun.

But in order to fully enjoy your time outside (and potentially save yourself from having to pay for expensive home repairs in the future), you will need to perform some basic home maintenance. To help you get started, here are some key areas to tackle this spring, brought to you by Greenbrook Design.