As the saying goes, ‘the home is where the heart is,’ and when you have a young family, it’s important you get it just right. It’s the place you’ll retire to after a hard day’s work, a place where memories are made, and ultimately, where you’ll be spending the majority of your time together. How your home is designed will ultimately impact how you feel about it and perhaps even impact how much time you spend there. In this guide, we’ll give you all of the information you need to know to design a family home that works well for you:
Open-plan layout
Open-plan living is perfect if you have small children, as the free-flowing layout makes for great family communication and peace of mind that you can keep an eye on toddlers at all times. Think about your family’s typical daily routine and how you can adapt your existing space to create a multi-functional downstairs plan that works for you. If you have enough space or are considering extending your property, you could even include a children’s playroom, which will become a safe space for little ones to play freely while you’re carrying out domestic duties.
Wooden flooring
Wooden flooring may not seem like the obvious choice for a family home, but it’s one of the most suitable options when you’re a parent of young children. Wood absorbs shock in the event of falls and also has antibacterial properties, which means it’s less likely to carry germs. While it may not offer as soft a landing as carpet, it’ll save a great deal of stress when it comes to spillages or pet accidents, as it can be easily cleaned. What’s more, wood flooring south London is also extremely durable and low-maintenance, which is ideal if you’re planning on living in the property for the long term, as you won’t have to change your flooring every few years.
Storage space
Your home may not have a great deal of space to offer, but the key is to be functional where possible. If you’re planning on designing a new home from scratch, it would be advised to plan simply shaped rooms to incorporate furniture and storage facilities without difficulty. In doing so, you’re much more likely to keep your home tidy and clutter-free. You could also be extra-savvy with space-saving by raising the ceiling height to provide extra vertical storage space, or even convert your garage into another room.
Clear the hallways
When you have a young family, the hallway can become a breeding ground for clutter. It’s the first room you visit when entering the home, so it can easily become overrun with shoes, bags, coats, and general mess. A narrow hallway can become extremely overcrowded, so aim to remove as much fuss as possible – and this may also go for décor, such as overpowering artwork, ornaments, and photographs.
If you require some useful tips on how to design a family home that works for you, we hope this guide has given you some inspiration.