TIPS ON HOW TO DESIGN A FAMILY FRIENDLY HOME

Everyone desires a picturesque home that is magazine-worthy and things are all tidy and perfect. This is often a far fetched dream especially for families with small kids. When designing a family-friendly home, it’s important to take into consideration the many activities and functions that will take place within the space. Contrary to popular beliefs, bigger is not always better. The impeccable design makes the difference in family homes. A lot of thought is needed not only in the design elements but also in the practicality of the space for everyday living. Additionally, it’s good to note that there may be change over time as the family grows larger and larger. Below are some tips that one could employ when it comes to designing a family-friendly home;

IDENTIFY THE USE OF THE SPACE

For families, quality always beats quantity any day. Family homes heavily capitalise on the space they can spend time together either engaging in conversation or having a quiet meal together. Today, family homes are not what they used to be. Just because you have kids doesn’t mean you have to give up your style. They are often equipped with an airy living room, a dining area and a modern design kitchen.

THE LAYOUT

Layout and space planning plays a key role in how meticulous the design of the home will turn out. If one can build a home from scratch, it’s imperative to always draw furniture on your floor plans to have a feel of how everything will be upon completion. This will also help inform how to position key design elements such as windows, doors, lighting fixtures and water outlets. Starting design in one room without an overall plan for the rest of the house is probably one of the most common mistakes many homeowners make. Be sure to consider the future and offer options for change if need be. 

ENSURE ADEQUATE FLOW

A lot goes into designing the perfect home that brings you peace and relaxation, however, what creates impact is the space and flow of things in the home. Choose materials, fixtures and finishes that speak true to your design and are versatile in case you want to switch it up in the future. The choice of flooring is critical in creating flow in a home. Pick floor finishes that are safe for kids and complement the overall decor of the room. Open-plan homes are great for families as they do not only look elegant but can accommodate the frequent flow of traffic within the home.

CREATE PRIVACY AND PROTECTION

Family time is fun and great, however, there are times when people want to spend time away from each other. different spaces can be used in different ways to meet the needs of the family. For instance, the study room can be used by the parents to catch up on some work especially during these pandemic lockdown restrictions when most people are working from the confines of their homes. Playrooms are ideal for young children to play with their toys which can, later on, be converted to a den or a guest bedroom when the kids grow up.

ALWAYS HAVE EXTRA STORAGE

HomeViable shares that storage is a key element to consider when designing a family home. One thing for certain is that kids come with a huge array of knick-knacks such as toys, books, games, sports equipment, strollers and the list is endless. If you want a clean and clutter-free home, it would be a great idea to have a built-in storage space to provide an organised space for all the items. You can never have too much storage for a family with kids.