Effortless Tidying: Design Hacks for a Kid-Friendly Home
Hey Design Enthusiasts!
Today, let's tackle a topic that hits home for many of us: keeping a tidy house with kids. As a mom of two lively girls aged 3 and 6, I often find myself contemplating if setting the house on fire might be an easier solution than dealing with the constant mess. (Just kidding...mostly!) But fear not, I've gathered some tried-and-true design tips that can help maintain a semblance of order amidst the chaos.
Smart Storage Solutions for Everyday Clutter
One of the key strategies in maintaining a tidy home is incorporating smart storage solutions. This means using furniture that doubles as storage and creating designated spots for everything.
Toy Storage with Style: Opt for stylish storage baskets or bins that can blend into your home’s decor. These can be stashed in living rooms or bedrooms, making it easy to toss toys out of sight quickly. My personal favorite is a chic storage ottoman – it’s perfect for hiding toys while providing extra seating.
Built-In Shelving: Utilize built-in shelves for books, games, and knick-knacks. These not only help in keeping things organized but also add character to the room. For example, in our last house, we had a built-in bookshelf that flanked the fireplace that doubled as a display area for the girls' art projects and family photos.
Multi-Functional Furniture
Invest in multi-functional furniture that can serve multiple purposes and reduce clutter.
Convertible Furniture: Think of a dining table that can extend for family dinners or fold down to create space for the kids to play. Murphy beds or daybeds with storage underneath are also excellent for saving space and keeping things tidy.
Dual-Purpose Pieces: A servery in the dining room can be a game-changer. Use it for storing office supplies, kids’ art materials, or even as a snack station. I find that having closed cabinets in the dining room makes it much easier to hide the clutter and maintain an organized look.
Design Tips for a Neater Look
Sometimes, it’s the design elements that make all the difference in keeping a house looking tidy.
Neutral and Light Colors: Light, neutral colors for walls and furnishings can create a calm and orderly environment. They reflect more light and make spaces look larger and cleaner.
Reflective Surfaces: Mirrors and glass can enhance the feeling of space and cleanliness. A large mirror in the hallway or living room can make the area feel brighter and more open.
Minimalist Approach: Less is more when it comes to furniture and decor. Choose pieces with clean lines and avoid over-decorating. This not only makes cleaning easier but also gives a more streamlined appearance.
Practical Organizational Tips
Declutter Regularly: Make it a habit to declutter regularly. Whether it’s a weekly purge of toys the kids no longer play with or a monthly sweep of the house, keeping only what’s necessary can drastically reduce mess. A new method that we have adopted on top of this is separating the toys in half, storing one half in a closed container in the furnace room, and keeping the other half out for the girls to play with. Every 6-8 weeks we swap the toys so that they have “new-ish” toys to explore and play with and only half the burden of storing away toys neatly.
Label Everything: Labeling storage bins and shelves can help everyone in the household know where things belong. This simple step makes it easier for kids to help with tidying up and ensures things get put back in the right place.
Routine Cleaning: Establish a daily cleaning routine that involves everyone. Even young children can help with small tasks like putting away toys or wiping down surfaces. In our house, we have a “10-minute tidy-up” every evening before bed.
Final Thoughts
Creating a tidy home with kids might seem like an impossible task, but with some strategic design choices and regular organizational habits, it’s definitely achievable. Remember, the goal is to make your home work for your lifestyle while still being a beautiful space you enjoy.
And if all else fails, there's always the option of a temporary "toy explosion zone" – just don't tell anyone it was my idea!
Happy organizing!
xoxo,
