We all want the perfect home–one that is fun, functional, and accommodates every member’s needs. However, with 62% of Americans spending their waking hours at home, creating a house that caters to everyone is not an easy endeavor because a family-friendly haven goes beyond aesthetics. It’s about crafting a living space that nurtures relationships, fosters growth, and provides safety for all.
Let us try to ease that a little for you with these five essential home features for your growing family that are both enjoyable and functional:
Open Floor Plan
An open floor plan is a design concept that breaks down barriers and walls between common areas, like the dining room, living room, and kitchen, allowing more family interactions. It makes the home feel spacious and allows more natural light. Flexibility and versatility are other added benefits.
To implement it, create zones with furniture arrangement. This can mean using sofas to define the living room boundary or large rugs to delineate the dining area. The island kitchen design also fits perfectly with the plan–as a multifunctional space for meal prep, dining, and homework supervision.
Install Ample Storage
Picture this: toys are everywhere, random equipment is scattered across the carpet, pens and paper cover the workshop and glitter. That’s what an actual family home with kids will look like.
But, at the end of the day, all this clutter must be packed away, hidden neatly in the storage units. Therefore, for your family home, you want to include as many storage solutions as possible. It can include everything from built-in cupboards and under-stairs storage to multifunctional furniture like ottomans with storage and beds with drawers.
Use colorful bins and baskets in your children’s room and study. The hack will make cleaning time more fun while educating the kids about responsibility and organization early on.
Also, look beyond just storing things. As your family grows, you’ll have more vehicles (cars and bikes) to store. For example, a 3-car garage’s dimensions are between 20’X30′ and 30’X60′. Depending on your property’s square footage, consider constructing an oversized garage or installing garage sheds to accommodate the growing parking requirement.
Add Multi-Purpose Items
There is something so satisfying about transforming a room’s function and look with shape-shifting furniture in a second. Plus, these multi-purpose pieces of furniture make the most of your living areas if you have limited space.
For your family home, add convertible furniture, like a sofa bed or dining table with extendable leaves. Create designated areas that can serve as both play and study zones. It can include a desk with storage to keep school supplies, toys, and games.
And it shouldn’t be limited to furniture. Outdoor living spaces, such as a patio with seating, dining table, and play area, serve as great extended indoor areas.
Hard-Wearing Finishes
Thinking ahead about the materials and finishes you’ll use in your haven will save time cleaning kids’ sticky fingers and dirty feet. In particular, focus on your selection for:
Fabric: Avoid fabrics wherever possible, especially on the chairs, dining tables, and bar stools. When needed, choose leather and other easier-to-clean options.
Flooring: Choose sturdier flooring options like polished concrete or non-slip tiles.
Cabinetry: Pick durable materials, like plywood, solid wood, and high-quality MDF. Also, add protective finishes to ensure they are easier to clean and more resilient.
The goal is to ensure your home looks clean and organized and is safe for all members, old, young, and furry alike.
Safety First
Safety is a non-negotiable element of a family home. You must incorporate features to keep your family–especially younger ones–safe. Avoid furniture with sharp corners, install safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs, and use window guards to prevent falls.
Use anti-scald devices on kitchen and bathroom faucets. Ensure proper insulation and cover all electrical outlets. Set up security cameras across the home and install motion-sensored lights on the pathway and front porch.
The Next Step
A home is much more than bricks and walls. It’s a sanctuary that caters to every need of your family. In this shared shelter, your family grows closer to each other, and employing the above five tips in your home design will ensure that. So, put what you read into action and create a haven for your growing family.
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