Top challenges when creating a family-friendly living space

8 years ago

We're preparing to host a talk on family-friendly living at a trade show in a few weeks time and would like to hear your opinions.

When you were making your home family-friendly (or if you are in the process of making it family-friendly), what was your main challenge? Feel free to vote in the poll or describe your challenges in the comments section below.

Harry's Nursery · More Info

Creating multi-tasking zones

Lack of inspiration/ideas

Selecting appropriate material

Picking a colour scheme

Storage solutions

Figuring out a layout

Furniture choices

Other - tell us!

Featured Answer

soozmacrae

8 years ago

Having a living room that could be child friendly during the day but still sophisticated enough in the evening for the adults.

Comments (11)

Average Jo
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Ah yes! I remember it well.... my son toddled into the corner of a friend's coffee table and the bruise to his face was sufficiently alarming that his nursery school phoned the next day to let me know they might have to "escalate" the report of child injury (presumably to social services). That was fun (not)!

So I've put "other" for "preventing injury". It would indeed be lovely if the world at large were to give more thought to child-friendly design but that may be just a pipe-dream.

Now my son is a bit older the challenge is space - he'd like to retain all his toys because he's not yet old enough to let them go but he also wants a "grown up" desk. I guess that falls under "multi-tasking".
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The fireplace is looking great. It looks like a fun project. I work from home too and it can be sometimes a bit much, not being able to break away from the work. I like surrounding myself with things that inspire my work rather than the work itself. Although, that niche you've got is screaming for a built-in bookshelf. But instead of using it as storage for workstuff, you could fill it with things you love instead. It would add texture and colour to the space. You could also consider having it in wood, to bring in the wood texture your wanted on the floor. I really like the colour palette you've chosen. I have a grey carpet myself. It would be easy to add a pop of blue on your chairs. If you are worried about the desk chair, there are products with castors for carpets. Another thought, is perhaps the desk can be pulled away from the wall, so it fills the room. It can act as your desk, as well as a meeting space or a family space in the evening. It also won't feel like you are facing a wall all day long.
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We tried to come up with a pergola that doubled as a swing. what we found is that to take a proper swing (rather than a baby swing as per your picture) the pergola needs to be very strong, and for safety a very long way from any wall or any structure they could fall on. Kids of 4+ can really get going on a swing! In your scenario I would be worried about the swing above a raised paved area and especially above the raised white beds. Kids do daft things on swings and if they jump or fall it could be nasty. Plus it may be a bit too close to the back wall. I have seen some swing frames which are just a simple arch - thick wood beams or painted steel can be used for the arch. Would you consider this? For example an archway between the back wall of the house and the right hand side of your circular area could work and would be quite discreet from the house. You could even put fake grass in that area of the garden.
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Jayne McCairn
8 years ago
My sister has recently moved in to a gorgeous 4 bed new build. Almost a blank canvas. She and her husband have 2 young kids (3 and 1). She is finding it very difficult to put her own stamp on the house because she naturally wants to have the a very stylish interior but she is struggling with the practicalities of what the needs are for the children. She can't find a balance. She doesn't want the house to look like a giant play pen but at the same time she wants the kids to enjoy the house as well.
Kate Bradley
8 years ago
My challenges with a 19 month old Banksy wannabe are finding a paint colour scheme that I like that will stand up to crayons, chalk etc - we're stuck with the last owner's magnolia for now, just because it is easy & cheap to touch up when there's a colour attack... But also, and mostly, layout is an issue for us as it is about getting the space to work so that there's storage for toys, space for play, hazards are minimised and it looks like a grown-up space when it needs to. I'm working on it (!!!) but would welcome ideas.
Emmanuelle
8 years ago
With 3 young kids, main challenge was to minimise mess! Toys but also coats, shoes, school bags... I am having a super utility room in my new ( 30's) house!
annconn
8 years ago
I'm also struggling with designing the living room in a way that accomodates the kids but doesn't look like a playpen (toys out) or a tidy creche (toys put away). Built in furniture should look good and function well now and in the future.
pinklark
8 years ago
For us one of the main decisions was the flooring. We wanted floor tiles in bathrooms but knew when wet they would be lethal. Awful design decision - we went with carpet!! but so child friendly it worked. We now have the granite and marble we were after - great design decision - just had to wait for it.
Natalie Patton
8 years ago
Dito to the storage and multi purpose issues. I hav a 3 year old girl and my house is over ran with things that can't fit in toy boxes and be hidden in her bedroom. Dolls houses kitchens dolls pushchairs and cots (I swaer those dolls have more accessories than she did as a baby) Is it me or are children's toys getting bigger. My beautiful comfortable muted tone home is looking more like toys r us by the day.
annconn
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
pinklark that's a good point . . .we went with vinyl flooring for the same reason in the bathroom. I really like vinyl anyway. We also had it in the hallway of our old house - much better wearing than carpet and much safer and warmer underfoot than tiles.
PRO
My Bespoke Room
8 years ago
With three young children and one on the way we know what it's like creating a stylish, yet family friendly home! We're looking forward to sharing our experiences, tips and knowledge with you.
sandrac74
8 years ago
For us it was about opening the house up to open plan but remaining conscious of how the noise may travel. Think kids watching TV in one room with husband trying to work in the nearby study area, or loud adult dinner party when the kids are asleep upstairs with their doors open (as they are afraid of complete darkness). We decided to create a system of sliding barn doors that could be shut or kept opened over very wide door openings.

Top challenges when creating a family-friendly living space

soozmacrae

Comments (11)

Average Jo

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