As parents, we often struggle with wanting to make our spaces look pretty while still keeping them functional and practical for our families. The struggle is real, but it’s not impossible to overcome. If you’re looking for ways to make your main living area more family friendly, check out these kid friendly living room ideas to manage the chaos.
1. Rounded edges are your friend.
Kids inevitably fall, trip, and bump their little bodies on anything and everything! My kids somehow manage to always climb into chairs in the weirdest way, or never pay attention when they’re running into a room. So anytime you can choose items with soft and rounded edges, you’re helping to make it safer for kids. We chose rounded items in the coffee table, side table, and chairs you’ll see here.
2. Decorative objects on higher shelves and surfaces.
Just because you have kids doesn’t mean you can’t decorate with the things you really want. You just need to balance it with mindfulness of where you place objects like vases, sculptures, or artwork and place them out of reach of small children. We have a built-in bookshelf that will go into this living room, so most of the items that are decorative will be placed on the higher shelves so that we can still bring our style into the space without putting them right at kid level.
3. Find a Forgiving Rug
First things first: When designing a kid friendly living room, a forgiving rug is a must.
Keep your little one and your rug happy by choosing a rug that’s durable, easy to clean, and free of toxic chemicals. Skip silk and synthetic fibers, which stain easily and can be expensive to clean, and opt for a wool or natural fiber rug instead.
We love natural fiber rugs because they come in large sizes at affordable prices, but if you’re not a fan, consider an indoor/outdoor rug instead. Available in a range of colors, patterns, and sizes, these rugs are made to withstand heavy wear. A great option for households with furry friends too!
4. Get Strategic With Your Storage.
There’s no denying that kids have a lot of stuff. From toys, to art supplies, to books, a kid-friendly space should always incorporate plenty of low-maintenance storage.
We say, opt for enclosed storage which easily conceals clutter and helps keep your space looking neat with minimal effort.
A credenza is great for storing toys and small knickknacks and can do double-duty as a TV stand. An ottoman or bench with interior storage is another great option. A few pretty baskets are also great for stashing toys and clutter in a pinch (and look much cuter than plastic bins).
4. Fabrics. Darker and more durable fabrics are always recommended with kids (especially if you are okay with food in the living room). I also like to choose items with pattern (rugs, pillows, et cetera) so that any stains that inevitably get on there get masked with a fabric’s pattern. When choosing fabrics for a couch or chair, there are often stain-resistant or pet- and kid-friendly options these days that come in a ton of colors and fabrics.
Don’t forget to choose a few nice frames and put up artwork by your kids next to your decorative pieces. Sometimes it’s these small personal touches that make gathering spaces feel perfectly relaxed for everyone in the family.
