Your carpets are stained from who knows what. There is crayon on the wall that you haven’t had time to Google how to remove so it’s been there for weeks. And that white sofa in the living room, well it was no match for your kids. The wear and tear your kids have on your house can be embarrassing and upsetting. You may dread having guests over because they will see what your house has become or you may have given up on investing in new things, remodeling, or quality pieces, feeling whatever you do isn’t worth it when you have wild animals running around, oh I mean sweet children.
Prepare yourself for what I am about to say, you may not believe me, but your home does not have to be like that. With a little research and a little help, you can find ways to avoid the wear and destruction of your home. By finding the right materials and implementing other strategies into your selection/design you can have a beautiful home that can stand up to your kids..
Tip 1: Find Sturdy & Performance Fabrics
There are so many great options these days of quality fabrics that stand up to heavy use in high trafficked areas. Performance fabric was created to provide extra protection and comfort and with upholstered textiles they last longer, are durable for lots of wear while still looking amazing.
Sunbrella is a great option, their fabrics are resistant to fading, mold and mildew resistant and can be power-washed and bleached. Their fabrics can be used to make drapes, cushion covers, pillows and more, meaning you can have long lasting and easy to clean pieces throughout your whole home. Crypton is another great performance fabric that is resistant to stains and odors, something Sunbrella is not. Crypton too can be used outside as it is UV-resistant and mildew-resistant, it just cannot be bleached.
Tip 2: Embrace Colors, Patterns & Thick Textures
A great way to hide stains and dirt is to use color, pattern and texture within your home. You can easily disguise stains and imperfections by using a patterned or textured rug in your home. If you prefer a solid color a tip is to remember the more texture or detail that is on the rug the harder it is to see small imperfections. With patterned rugs, stains blend in making it hard to notice they are even there with all the pattern and color.
Tip 3: Choose Weathered or Rustic Furnishings
Furniture or accessories with a purposeful aged look won’t show wear and tear because it is part of its charm already. Purposefully worn pieces don’t only hide the wear and tear that could be added to them but also bring so much character to a space. Some ideas of pieces to incorporate are slightly weathered, rustic or patina’d furniture or accessories.
Tip 4: Prioritize Easily Washable Finishes & Furnishings
Another great and easy to do idea is to find finishes and furniture that can easily be cleaned. Stain-resistant or scrubable paint applies to homes with all ages, because thing happen, and paint just gets dirty over time. Selecting a good quality scrubable paint makes your life easier when cleaning up messes and you do not have to repaint the whole wall. Another great idea is having furniture with slipcovers that can easily be pulled off and washed or replaced. If you do not want to deal with slipcovers Crypton creates beautiful, quality stain resistant fabrics that you can use in your home.
Tip 5: Use Rugs to Serve & Protect
Rugs can be expensive, but they are a great investment for hiding dirt and stains. As mentioned before, the texture, pattern and color of a rug can be great for disguising stains, but they are also great for protect the flooring beneath them. Rugs in entry ways or other high trafficked areas can be a life saver when it comes to your hardwood flooring. They protect the floor from scratches and dirt, along with protecting it from moisture in entry ways.
Tip 6: Invest in Quality Craftsmanship
I know it may be hard to invest in expensive quality pieces when you are afraid your children will wreck it, but I am here to tell you that high quality craftsmanship for your pieces is very important if it is going to be getting constant use. Quality craftsmanship will help your sofa or dining table last longer which saves you money in the long run. It is also more sustainable as it will not break down easily and end up in a landfill.
Tip 7: Invite the Kids to Help Create the Home
One last idea is to get the kids involved in the selection process. Getting them involved can be fun for the whole family and may result in a better appreciation to care for the furniture or accessory because they were involved on the decision. Ultimately it is your decision, but having choices narrow downed to two than asking for their input may be all it takes to get a little more respect from them in your home.
Do not worry, you do not have to compromise your dream home just to handle the damage your kids could potentially create. There are so many options out there to help with the wear and tear so that you can have the best balance of beauty and function.
Need help designing a family-friendly space that you love and keeps the kids happy? Let’s talk!
Xoxo,
Jill