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 DesignMaking the decision to open our own showroom was not done overnight. It began as the answer to a need for our clients. They needed a place where they could come and explore the possibilities that awaited them for their home renovation. It was important to our owners, Travis and Stacey Walker, that their clients could see and feel the products, enhancing their design experience. As the idea became a reality, the Walkers realized the added benefit of having more than just cabinets featured in the showroom. Greenbrook Design is proud to be an authorized dealer for not just four lines of cabinetry but multiple home furnishings and decor companies like Europe 2 You and Moe’s. Get a peek inside the showroom here and listen to Stacey share her vision of the showroom.
We have all witnessed the transformation this past year, bedrooms become offices, kitchen tables become classrooms, and your basement doubles as a home gym. The problem is that most of these spaces were not ready to accommodate double duty. Multifunctional means one area of the home can handle multiple duties, while this sounds great, no one wants it to look like it’s a three-in-one, which is where good design comes into play. Selecting furniture pieces that can serve several purposes or planning a layout that can fulfill multiple needs is key to creating a home that suits your family’s unique lifestyle and routine. Let’s discuss what goes into designing these spaces and how you can make the most of the space you have.
Walker WoodworkingDesign is more than just creating a layout that is functional and beautiful; it is about turning a house into a home that has an atmosphere just right for you. A functional home is good, but a home where you feel at home is best, which is the end goal for every designer. One way to have a welcoming environment is to draw inspiration from nature, which is a trend that is gaining momentum in the design world.
Walker Woodworking When you think of a closet, you envision a space within a room that opens with a door. For some, it means enough room to hang up clothes or store larger items. It has, however, evolved to become much more than a mere stash and go-to spot for necessities. From hall closets to pantries to linen and bedroom closets, they serve multiple purposes. Today, it can be a mini dressing room, a place to keep all the kids’ sports equipment, and even a place of meditation ( really, it’s a thing). It is a great way to gain extra storage in the bedroom for personal items and is considered an extension of the home.
Walker Woodworking Are you feeling like something needs to change inside your home? Tired of the same old decor pieces greeting you when you come home? Maybe your taste in style has changed, and you’re looking for a little update? The good news is you don’t have to do a full-blown renovation to achieve your goal; sometimes, it takes a little freshening up to update your home.
Walker Woodworking 
Greenbrook Design