Interior Design With Toddlers: People often ask me about my own home. They want to know if it is always magazine perfect. The short answer is “no” and honestly, not even close.
While I do take pride in my home, and know how to pull it together for a nice party or photo shoot, I am a big believer in making home FEEL like home. I tell my clients all the time, ”My job is to present you with ideal pieces and layouts for the room. Your job is to communicate your lifestyle so I can help marry the two.” In short, I have to help you balance out the ideal and the practical. Great design is both.
You would be surprised at how many of my clients wait until their kids are school aged or even out of the house to “finally design with nice things”. I’m here to tell you that YOU, and perhaps especially you, as a parent of young children, deserve a beautiful and functional space to help you feel calm and in control. The two are not mutually exclusive.
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So let’s clear up this misconception: There is a fundamental difference between designing for toddlers vs designing with them. You can design FOR them in their own rooms or playrooms. Let them pick some things they like, be surrounded with the pieces that are important to them and feel like they have some autonomy over their spaces (otherwise they’ll demand it). You can then weave a cohesive color story to make that room nice or choose to let them design it all on their own. What I really want to address is designing the rest of your home WITH toddlers. Despite popular belief, you can create a space you love that works for their needs as well by following these simple tips:
Interior design tip #1: Skip the coffee table, and tippy end tables.
Obviously sharp corners and very hard materials like concrete, hardwoods and marble are fabulous and dangerous (sigh), but you can find equally handsome ottomans made from full grain leather or washable performance fabrics. Both of these choices are highly kid-friendly. Add a cute metal tray and you’re all set. During my day-to-day, I keep the tray clear except for the remotes. If you want to get fancy when guests come over, add some stacked books, and a cute candle or decorative object. Wood, metal and fabric decorative pieces make great options with kids. For end tables, I prefer little upholstered stools with smaller trays. The kids take off the trays, move the stools around and lay all over them. They love it and I love that it’s super easy to set back up.
Interior design tip #2: Integrate toys and hidden storage.
If you are lucky enough to have a designated playroom, simply keep several large baskets artfully tucked into the decor of your living room for smaller daily toys and books and then rotate out 1-2 large toys to keep it interesting. If your living room is also your playroom, consider the colors and choices of the kids’ furniture to match with your living room color scheme. Opt for neutral kid desks, and bookcases with cohesive colored cube shelves with neutral fabric or woven baskets to store the toys. I love being able to hide toys when we’re all done with them. Cube organizers and ottomans with storage also make great options. Don’t worry about the lack of stimulation with color because kids toys are colorful enough that when they pull them out their senses won’t be dulled in any way.
Interior design tip #3: Use washable fabrics for pillows, blankets, rugs.
If you have the choice, opt for a slipcovered washable sectional. Highly specific, yes, but you will be SO grateful to be able to just throw the covers into the wash. You would be surprised how dirty a couch can really get so being able to wash just gives your house an extra sense of clean-critical when sticky hands are at play. Sectionals are fun for family cuddles and the kids love the removable cushions to create epic forts. Bonus points that chic sectionals are easy to find these days-I love anything made by Rowe Furniture or Robin Bruce. I like bright white fabric and just use a little bleach and spot cleaner. Washable pieces are a bit more maintenance but after seeing how much dirt my couch accumulates, I will never be able to go back to not washing my sofa again. The same goes for rugs and pillow covers. Choose ones that are washable and you will be able to keep them looking fresh and nice much longer.
Interior design tip #4: Display their artwork thoughtfully.
There is no need to clutter up your refrigerator with tons of pieces anymore. Create a little gallery space for your children’s art work. Install some ledges where you can prop up pieces or create a gallery wall with some frames where you can swap out old pieces for their latest creations.. The colorful pieces showcased in white frames and white mats will be both personal and chic. You can even go the extra mile to infuse your kids with pride by creating a little plaque or sign to name their art gallery after them. If you prefer a more simple approach, you can find frames on Amazon with a little door to swap the art work with ease! Just choose one or 2 per kid.
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Interior design tip #5: Consider placement.
You can still keep sentimental and breakable pieces displayed proudly, just choose to go high or out of reach with their placement. Be sure the furniture pieces sentimental accessories live on are solid and anchored to avoid any tipping and breaking. On the same line of thinking, keep items your children use daily within reach of them. For example, in our kitchen I keep all the plastic cups and plates in a bottom drawer so the kids can work on being self-sufficient (a major bonus for a busy mom). This also keeps them from getting frustrated, trying to climb the counter and accidentally knocking something over.
Interior design tip #6: Your own escape.
Finally, allow yourself to create an oasis in your own room. Draw some inspiration from hotels and go with all white bedding. Not only is the white calming on your senses after a day full of chaos and color, but it is also easily cleaned or bleached to maintain its bright white appearance. Add some plants, a favorite art piece, candles, and some cute photos of you and your partner if you have one. I would consider avoiding photos of your kids prominently displayed in your bedroom to allow you to truly focus on yourself and your partner.
I sincerely hope you are not starting to feel overwhelmed. A part of achieving a more peaceful life is investing your energy into what you enjoy. If styling your home stresses you out, hire it out. Let me be your home guru, and help to take this off your shoulders, and provide you with the love-filled, peaceful home you have always envisioned.
JENNIFER ROSE
Bachelor of Science, Industrial Design, Virginia Tech
HSR Certified Home Stager & Stylist
I help clients curate beautiful, functional, and aspirational spaces in their homes. I love giving them the confidence and peace of mind to relax or entertain at the drop of a hat. I can’t get enough. I eat, sleep and breathe home design. At night, you’ll often find me with a glass of bubbly in hand perusing and studying homes on Zillow and Realtor or binging design shows on Netflix. I’m fascinated by the real estate market and the psychology behind what makes someone fall in love with home.
I grew up not only designing and rearranging my own room but also my friends’ rooms. I remember late-night sleepovers pushing furniture around their rooms and raiding their attics for fun art. Looking back, I can only imagine what their parents thought. My creative aspirations led me to Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture & Design where I was awarded my Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Design with a minor in Art History. After school, I worked in graphic design and, being the child of 2 strong entrepreneurs, opened my own firm where I was on track to becoming one of the top graphic designers for the wedding industry in Hampton Roads, VA. It was then that I met my husband who took me into the exciting world of military moves. I put my professional design career on hold to raise my 3 beautiful daughters while flexing my creative muscles completely remodeling and redesigning our own 5 homes. I am so happy being back in my element and absolutely love helping my clients love their spaces.
When not designing, you’ll find me swimming, crafting or dreaming up my next home.
