Family Friendly Interiors - It Can Be Done
Just because you have decided to have kids or commit to a puppy it doesn't mean you have to give up your personal style or turn your home into a play-centre. There are many tips and tricks you can incorporate to ensure that it is child and pet friendly, whilst still being a beautiful house that you love coming home to.
The two biggest areas of concern in any lounge room when it comes to living harmoniously with pets and children are the Sofa and the Rug. Both of these are often seen as either child-no-go zones, or areas that parents have “given up on”. So often I hear clients say “Oh! we will get a new sofa when the kids move out” as they dishearteningly look at their stained and broken piece of furniture. The truth is you can have a nice sofa that is still child and pet friendly – I should know I have a dog that thinks the sofa is her home, and 2 wild toddlers that refuse to listen to me at the best of times!
I have compiled my top tips for combining your love of style and your love of family:
Pick the right fabric for your sofa. Avoid white at all costs, but also avoid very dark colours - think yoghurt stains on a dark charcoal sofa. A mid toned neutral is your safest bet.
Extra points if your sofa covers are removable. Cotton and cotton blends wash well in cold water, and better yet if they are a pre-shrunk fabric.
Having a subtle pattern in your rug will help hide any stains that will inevitably happen.
Choosing a mid to low pile rug will make vacuuming up crumbs a much easier process
For extra assurance, opt for an indoor/outdoor rug. These can easily be hosed down and cleaned with mild soapy water. New technologies have meant these rugs can be as soft as a standard rug, and you wouldn't even know it was an outdoor style.
Having a child and pet friendly home doesn't mean putting your style on hold until the kids grow up and move out. By choosing the right fabrics, finishes and colours and making some practical decisions along the way, you can have a beautiful home that is proofed against vegemite sandwiches and muddy-paws.
To read the full article that appears in Stylish Life Magazine click here.
