Designing the perfect family home is an exercise in combining style and creativity with comfort and practicality, and when you add children and pets into the equation it’s important that everyone has a space to feel at home in. With the advice of three experts in design and family life, we have put together a definitive guide of home design ideas to help create the perfect space for you, your family and your pets - letting you achieve a practical yet stylish look.
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Designing a Kitchen for the Family
As one of the most popular rooms in the house, the role of the kitchen has changed from a functional space for cooking to a place for the entire family to eat, socialise, and even get some studying or work done. With many modern homes not featuring a separate family room a multifunctional family kitchen is the perfect alternative.
When the kitchen acts as a family room there have to be areas for activities other than cooking. You might have a dining table for family dinners, while a breakfast bar with comfortable kitchen stools can double as a spot for informal mealtimes and a place for kids to do homework. In such a versatile space, it is ideal to consider cabinets with built-in food bowls and beds for pets so they can be included whilst keeping the floor clear.
For those with young children, or a very busy family, it’s worth investing in hardwearing surfaces. Stone and ceramic are great for flooring, and easily mopped when spills and muddy paw prints occur. Likewise, choosing stylish dining chairs and bar stools with faux leather or ABS plastic seats can provide a sleek, contemporary, and fun finish while allowing for quick and easy clean-ups.
Family Room Ideas & Design
The family room should be an informal and fun space where everyone can relax and spend time together. If your family room is often filled with children, furry friends or plenty of visitors, then seating, durable furnishings and storage within your design will be important.
Additionally, opt for rugs that can be washed easily when spills or accidents happen, and if you have particularly playful toddlers, you might benefit from washable wall paint. For pet owners, the removal of pet hair is something to keep in mind with your seating. Consider using a throw with your chairs or sofa, and select a fabric in a similar colour to your pets’ fur – this will hide persistent hairs in between hoovering.
An open plan layout gives everyone their own space. Reading corners with cosy chairs, workstations, and even pet beds will get the whole house together without stepping on each other’s toes. It’s also ideal to connect the family room with the kitchen, as the cook won’t feel excluded from the family and can keep an eye on the kids at the same time.
Living Room Ideas & Design
The living room needs to blend appearance with practicality. As the chosen place for entertaining visitors, it should be flexible for a variety of occasions. Why not arrange your sofas to face each other, and add tables in between to create a sociable layout that encourages conversation, rather than being focussed around a TV. Coffee tables with rounded edges are best for families with young children to avoid accidents with corners, and tables with shelves are even better for extra storage, which is vital to keep a family home organised.
Don’t forget these spaces are just as much about the adults, so include a spot for you to relax in. An armchair in a darker colour will hide any marks from the kids or the pets, and is ideal for reading, listening to music, or enjoying a glass of wine at the end of the day.
With a little knowledge, some inspiration and good use of the right furniture you can create the perfect environment for the entire family to enjoy in your home, which is safe for children, pets and adults to enjoy without losing its charm. As with any good home design, a truly good layout is one you’ll want to keep for years to come.
