Every parent knows that having children means making sacrifices. Late nights out on the town turn to evening movie nights at home, just like a brunch at a new hip restaurant turns to protein bars on-the-go. Of course, when it comes to children, these lifestyle changes are well worth the trade off (understatement of the year!), but what about the ways it changes your home environment?

As a mother of two myself, I don’t buy into the myth that having kids means your days of living in a beautiful home are over. With a thoughtful strategy and some creative problem-solving, I believe it’s possible to create a home that inspires togetherness and warmth, while also keeping your space safe, tidy, and chic.

Today, I’m changing up the narrative by sharing my best tips for achieving high design with kids in mind.

Manage the Clutter

The biggest challenge in keeping your home looking like it’s straight out of a magazine is figuring out a solution for hiding all the “stuff.” A pile of legos strewn across the floor doesn’t exactly scream “peaceful home retreat,” but I understand first-hand that kids will be kids. 

Whenever I design a child’s space, the first thing I do is keep my eye out for a set of unique baskets or bins that complement the room’s style. Unlike a cabinet, kids can access all their favorite toys from bins, just as easily as they can put them away without heavy lids or drawers. This keeps the room looking tidy and organized after playtime, and it provides an opportunity to teach them the importance of taking care of their space. 

When it comes to books, I love to arrange a library-like collection on a bookshelf with sentimental items and cheery decor. For trickier spaces where a bookshelf doesn’t work, create wiggle room by installing a set of floating shelves. Not only does this free up floor space, but it also adds the perfect design moment when artfully hung.

Think Beyond the Early Years

I know it’s difficult to resist the adorable and trendy nursery room decor that’s out there, but it’s important to remember that your child’s bedroom should seamlessly transition long after they’ve grown out of their crib. Avoid buying into the season’s hottest design trends and opt for timeless pieces that will last through most of their childhood. 

One of the easiest ways to ensure a space’s design endures — while also giving your kids a say in the overall look and feel — is to manage the bigger decisions and let them tackle the smaller style dilemmas. For example, leave the room’s accent color choice up to them, while you determine which high-quality furniture investments you’ll be making. It may be difficult saying ‘no’ to the race car bed, but you’ll be happy you did when they come to you a week later saying now they’re “more of a train person.”

Ideally, your kids should be able to enjoy their room for at least 10 years before needing to make any large-scale changes. That said, as the years go by, look for small ways to reimagine the space to support them in each stage of their childhood and spark excitement. From turning a play area into a lounging corner where they can hang with friends, to replacing a toy chest with a reading nook, design a space for your kids with versatility in mind.

Have Fun with Color

Kids’ personal tastes change on a daily basis. While it’s positive to encourage them to experiment with different looks while finding their personal aesthetic, be weary of committing to certain shades that may become outdated over time, or prove difficult to style.

To start, my best advice is to keep focal points, like wall color, lighting, and window treatments, neutral. By keeping with classic, versatile tones, you’ll create a space that serves as the perfect backdrop to new design updates through the years. Plus, think of all the time, money, and stress you’ll save by opting to refresh the accent pieces, as opposed to completing a full overhaul of the room as your child develops. 

With a neutral-leaning base, my favorite ways to add color to a children’s room is through artwork. Offered at a wide price range and easy to swap out, it’s a fun and engaging process to build a small art collection with your child’s input, reflecting their personal tastes and preferences. 

And keep in mind, not all art has to be specifically child-like. If they have a favorite color, find an abstract piece that features their favorite shade, or if they have an interesting hobby, search for high-resolution prints that can inspire them to keep following their passions. If you’re not sure where to start, check out my guide for sourcing art for your home.

Balancing Elegance with Function

Let’s face it. The reality of family life is that sometimes, things just get messy! Here are some of my tried-and-true tips for keeping your home looking elevated, even when life gets a little hectic:

1. Use high performance fabrics: One of my favorite materials for adding a touch of luxury is mohair. But, the minute your child takes a marker to that cushion, it’s game over. When I design for families, I preserve the picture-perfect look by choosing high-performance fabrics that will stand up to daily wear and tear, and the occasional Picasso. 

2. Create a mudroom: Save yourself the headache of having coats, backpacks, sports equipment, and shoes laying all over by creating a designated drop spot. If your home does not have a specified space, consider turning a closet or built-in into a makeshift mudroom near your most frequently used entrance to keep the clutter contained.

3. Keep safety top of mind: Don’t compromise safety for style. Carefully consider every precaution, such as locking cabinets and adding runners to staircases. 

4. Extra storage: Ever find yourself thinking “where does all this stuff come from?” Make sure you creatively factor in extra storage space, whether cabinets, shelves, bins, or baskets. You can never have enough storage!