If you have pets or children, you might think that a professional interior designer cannot really accommodate your special needs. However, there are many tricks of the trade that make it easy to have a beautifully decorated home that is friendly for pets and kids.
As we all know, having children around the house can tend to make life a bit messier. A good designer can create a design plan that incorporates a variety of unique storage solutions that will suit your needs.
You might see a design that includes built-in shelving lined with baskets or attractive containers. Another option is furniture that contains storage compartments, such as a beautiful window seat that opens up to hide games or toys. Your designer can also design storage aids within closets and behind cupboard doors.
Clever storage is one important way to accommodate families, but choosing stain-resistant and tough fabrics for your furnishings is another important consideration. You want attractive pieces, of course, but these days there are many great choices that also include fabrics and coverings that can be easily cleaned and maintained.
Flooring is another big consideration, and your choices really depend upon your situation. If you have very small children, carpet and wood floors are typically the safest choices. Hard tile can be slippery and dangerous, although you can cover it with large area rugs. Tile and wood are smart choices for pet owners because they are a bit easier to keep clear of fur, and messes are far easier to clean on wood or tile.
Even your paint choices can be made a bit more kid-friendly. While it is perfectly acceptable to use flat paint, using a semi-gloss paint in your high traffic rooms might be a better way to go. This is especially true if you are redesigning kitchens, bathrooms, playrooms or a child's room, but if they family usually congregates in the family room, semi-gloss can be a good choice. High gloss is not recommended for walls in general, because it tends to highlight any flaws on your wall surface, so keep the high gloss strictly on trim, cabinets and doors.
When it comes to the accessory choices, consider items such as framed artwork on the walls, custom throw pillows and non-poisonous houseplants as opposed to highly breakable antiques. If you have a few glass or ceramic items, simply display them high enough that they won't come in contact with tiny fingers or knocked over by pets.
As we all know, having children around the house can tend to make life a bit messier. A good designer can create a design plan that incorporates a variety of unique storage solutions that will suit your needs.
You might see a design that includes built-in shelving lined with baskets or attractive containers. Another option is furniture that contains storage compartments, such as a beautiful window seat that opens up to hide games or toys. Your designer can also design storage aids within closets and behind cupboard doors.
Clever storage is one important way to accommodate families, but choosing stain-resistant and tough fabrics for your furnishings is another important consideration. You want attractive pieces, of course, but these days there are many great choices that also include fabrics and coverings that can be easily cleaned and maintained.
Flooring is another big consideration, and your choices really depend upon your situation. If you have very small children, carpet and wood floors are typically the safest choices. Hard tile can be slippery and dangerous, although you can cover it with large area rugs. Tile and wood are smart choices for pet owners because they are a bit easier to keep clear of fur, and messes are far easier to clean on wood or tile.
Even your paint choices can be made a bit more kid-friendly. While it is perfectly acceptable to use flat paint, using a semi-gloss paint in your high traffic rooms might be a better way to go. This is especially true if you are redesigning kitchens, bathrooms, playrooms or a child's room, but if they family usually congregates in the family room, semi-gloss can be a good choice. High gloss is not recommended for walls in general, because it tends to highlight any flaws on your wall surface, so keep the high gloss strictly on trim, cabinets and doors.
When it comes to the accessory choices, consider items such as framed artwork on the walls, custom throw pillows and non-poisonous houseplants as opposed to highly breakable antiques. If you have a few glass or ceramic items, simply display them high enough that they won't come in contact with tiny fingers or knocked over by pets.
About the Author:
Vickie Daeley enjoys blogging and sharing her knowledge in interior design. For additional information about Orange County interior decorating or to discover a Yorba Linda interior designer, visit the Interior Affairs site now.
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