Designing a Home that will Withstand Kids & Pets
If you have kids or pets, then you probably have had something damaged or destroyed along the way. Raising twin boys and having 2 Bernese Mountain Dogs gives me some degree of authority on the subject! Now that our boys are 21 and out of the house, we decided to refurnish the living room. But because we still have Sadie, our Berner, the fabrics we chose were of upmost importance because she rules the sofa!
There are so many more options available these days which are kid and pet friendly, that decorating your home beautifully is much easier than it used to be.
Tip 1: Kid-Friendly Performance Fabrics & Materials
Performance fabrics are offered by most fabric companies now. They are both beautiful and durable and can be used on furniture as well as window treatments, bedding and pillows. Several makers of performance fabrics are Sunbrella, Crypton, Revolution, Bella Dura, and Perennials. And many of my favorite fabric sources (Schumacher, Charlotte Fabrics, Greenhouse Fabrics, Trend, Pindler, Mitchell Fabrics, Samuel and Sons, Magnolia, Thibaut, RM Coco, Kravet and Stout Textiles) carry performance fabrics and trims as well.
Tip 2: Creative, Pet-Friendly Camouflage
Sometimes camouflage is the name of the game where pets and kids are concerned. If you allow your pets on your furniture, one option is to choose a fabric that matches their fur so that it does not stand out and make a room look dirty. Other option is to use slipcovers on those pieces where your pets reside so that they can be removed and cleaned as necessary. We chose to go with performance fabric for our sofa and it has held up beautifully!
Tip 3: Distressed or Rustic Woods & Textiles
Opting for furnishings and floors that have a distressed or rustic look in high traffic areas can keep the pieces from looking worse over the years. When we chose our floors we absolutely went with ones that already had undulations in them. My philosophy was that I knew between a 100 pound dog and two boys running in and out that I wanted something that those scratches would only add character to.
Tip 4: A Balance of Function and Aesthetic
Form follows function. Many designers follow this rule when putting together a room. There has to be a balance between an aesthetically pleasing room and one that functions well. Both can be achieved when thought is taken as to how the family lives in and uses a space. Maybe you use a round coffee table instead of a square one if there are toddlers in the home. And from past experience with boys who liked to wrestle, choose inexpensive lamps and accessories!
Tip 5: Room for Free Movement
Lastly, pets and children need some space to move around freely. So, leave enough room for them to get by sofas, coffee tables, end tables, and chairs. Depending on the size of your pets and the ages of your children, you may need more space than you think!
Homes are to be lived in and lived in well. This does not mean that you can't have beautiful furnishings and fabrics that will be functional and endure wear and tear. Performance fabrics come in all design styles and can help you achieve a beautifully decorated and comfortable home.
If you need a hand picking out the best blend of quality, longevity, and beauty, we'd be happy to help.
Until next time,
Amanda