7 Things Maternity Leave Has Taught Me About Designing Homes For Busy Families
I’ve worked in residential design for 10 years now, working with countless families to design their dream homes. The first step is always the same, we spend time with the client to understand their hopes for the space and the way they live, so I thought I had a fairly good idea of how a little person would live in our house. In some ways yes, all the traditional baby proofing things, but in some ways I needed first hand experience to learn…
1. Their little paws will touch EVERYTHING
I had underestimated quite how quickly a 1 year old can dart between furniture, so if fingerprints bother you, stay away from glass or mirrored surfaces for large pieces, because as quick as you can clean it, they will touch it again!
2. Cleanable furniture is essential
We had always encouraged the use of stain treated / wipe clean fabrics, but now I would say it is essential in a house with a young family. Nyla had bad reflux, so I dread to think what our sofas would look like if they weren’t in a wipeable leather. Washable rugs are also great, the Ruggable ones can go in the washing machine and the Unnatural Flooring ones can even be taken outside and jet washed!
3. Where possible, attach the furniture to the wall
We have very heavy bedside tables, so I thought these were Nyla proof, until I turned around after a couple of seconds and saw she had managed to open the top drawer and swing on it enough that it looked like it may move!
4. They love cables
Iphone chargers, lamp cables, computer wires, even if only 1cm is poking out they will spot it and attempt to chew it or pull it out further, so although aesthetically tidying cables has always been my preference, I would now put more focus on looking for solutions to minimise cables around a home. Furniture with built in charging points or cable tidies (you can even do this yourself with a small hole in the back of a bedside) or phone charging docks.
5. Flexible living room layouts
Thoughtfully selecting pieces and designing a layout where the central furniture can be easily moved would be ideal for those days when you need to create a pillow fort or switch the rug and coffee table for a play mat and ball pit.
6. There can never be too much kitchen storage
When we started weaning, I cleared out a cupboard to be dedicated to Nyla, (a lot like we had a new flatmate moving in) but I underestimated quite how much stuff they accumulate, so the next time I design a family kitchen I would be mindful about creating a large space for snacks, a tupperware display (so you can easily find the lids) and a temporary sterilised bottle store!
7. The floors have to be hardwearing
Whether it’s muddy pushchair wheels or plates of spaghetti bolognaise, those floors are going to be cleaned A LOT, so selecting something hardwearing (and ideally steam mop friendly) is imperative. Mid coloured carpet with flecks or loops are ideal for hiding the dust an extra day!
I’m sure this list could go on and on, as we haven’t mentioned the fact they try and jump off everything or are drawn to gnawing wooden furniture, but for now these are my top 7. Who knew my adorable little design assistant would be so helpful, so early on.