This is a collaborative post
There’s a specific moment (I think we’ve all had it), where your child walks through the house after being outside, wearing dirty socks, or maybe they’ve dragged a chair across the floor, or left some toothpaste on the vanity. Crumbs in the sofa cushions. There is an unknown stain on the kitchen table.
What happens when you put furniture in a space that is supposed to be family friendly? It gets worn down by everyday use. The challenge isn’t finding something that looks great during those few quiet hours on Sunday afternoon. The challenge is finding something that functions well under stress and makes your home feel peaceful, inviting, and complete.
Pick Surface Materials That Allow Forgiveness Of The Messes Of Everyday Life
For many families, the key to success is finishing materials that will forgive your family’s mess. Don’t confuse this with “soft” finishes. Soft means physically soft; forgiving means visually forgiving. Many highly polished surfaces will show every fingerprint. Any pure white countertop will make any juice spill appear to be dramatic. Flat dark finishes tend to show dust much quicker than other colors.
Finishing material choices such as light textures, natural grains, subtle patterns and neutral colors will help conceal the minor wear and tear associated with family life. Lightly textured tiles, stone effect tops, and engineered oak flooring can provide a comfortable appearance with functional durability for daily routines.
Consider How Each Area Of Your Home Is Really Used
Finish selections can be very subjective based on the area in which they’re being placed. While a finish selection may look great in a guest bathroom, it would likely fail in a primary family bathroom. Delicate fabrics may be aesthetically pleasing in a quiet reading nook, but not suitable for a play area.
Picture the room on an average Tuesday. Where does the backpack go? Where are wet shoes dumped? Where do kids eat snacks…even though you’ve told them to eat them in the kitchen?
This image will serve as a guide for finish selection much more accurately than current trends. The entryway requires durable surfaces. The kitchen requires surfaces that can be easily wiped clean. Bedrooms can accommodate soft, calming finishes. Living spaces require comfort; they should also be able to rapidly recover from spills, toys, and busy weekend activities.
Provide A Calm Palette And Flexibility
Inevitably, there is color brought into your home by your children. Books, toys, arts & crafts supplies, jackets, pillows, drawings, and birthday balloons, etc., all contribute color. However, your permanent finishes can provide a more subdued backdrop.
Colors such as warm neutrals, wood tones with a warm tone, muted green colors, soft gray colors and creamy white colors can create a sense of stability within your home without creating boredom. This also allows for greater flexibility when changing smaller elements as your children grow up.
Choose What You Can Maintain Without Excessive Concern
The ultimate finish choice is not always the most expensive option. It is the one that you can live with. Consider if you will constantly worry about every child eating toast on the couch, or dropping a toy on the floor.
A family home should never resemble a museum. It should feel lived-in, used and welcoming at the end of each day. Select finishes that give you a little “breathing room”, and your home will thrive as your children grow instead of struggling against them.
