Finding BALANCE
Creating functional family living spaces
Let’s face it: Life is busy. And one of the byproducts of a busy life is often a cluttered house. With piles of paper coming home from school and toys creating obstacle courses in the family room, parents may wonder how they’ll ever take back control of the house. A few experts share their ideas for doing just that.
MAKING THE MOST OF SMALL SPACES
To cut down on clutter in smaller spaces, interior designers recommend looking at interior spaces in a new way: up. Utilizing vertical space along the walls takes the heavy lifting off the floor as a catchall for clutter. Consolidating objects into some kind of containment — whether with shelves, cubes, wall-hung baskets or other organizational options — cleans up visual clutter.
In small living areas, vertical storage is not only utilitarian; it also opens up needed space for tables and couches. At the same time, it provides places for keeping harmful items away from small hands.
Another way to cut down on clutter is to use a storage ottoman. These stylish pieces of furniture are both comfortable and functional, with storage space beneath the lid. Some can be used as coffee tables.
Nancy Hatfield, co-owner of Sowell’s Furniture in Searcy, also suggests adding a hall stand near the front and back doors of a home. These often feature a coat rack and include useful storage areas.
“It’s for smaller houses that don’t have a big back-door loading area,” Hatfield said, “and it’s cute.”
With more and more families using smartphones and tablets, chargers and other accessories can create their own nests of clutter. Hatfield said modern end tables and nightstands are incorporating built-in outlets for these devices. Some pieces even feature storage for laptops and tablets, she said.
FAMILYFRIENDLY FURNITURE
When selecting furniture, it is helpful to think about the future. Children grow up quickly, so choosing materials that not only meet the family’s present needs but will remain practical in the future is highly advisable. Durability, easy maintenance and fabric flexibility are essential.
Nylon upholstery, fiber-seal textiles and durable, low-sheen furniture finishes are smart choices. Another option is that instead of buying a love seat, choose individual lounge chairs that share an ottoman. These combinations offer form, function and style. They can also fit well with future furniture purchases. Furniture that features clean lines, subdued patterns and a medium color — not too light or dark — can work in a variety of settings.
“The new outdoor fabrics come in a wide range of colors and patterns that make them great, durable options for indoor use as well,” said Sue Moore, owner of Interior Creations in Searcy.
To add a pop of color, painting the walls — or just one wall — is a good option. Choose paints that are free of volatile organic compounds (known as low VOC), thus are eco- and child-friendly. These paints do not emit toxic fumes; plus, they are completely odorless, making it possible to paint a bedroom one day and have the kids sleep in it that evening.
New paint also provides an inexpensive way to update a space as a child’s age, needs and taste change — from infant to preschooler to preteen and beyond.
IN THE KITCHEN
To cut down on clutter in the kitchen, Eva Jones, owner of McCrory Flower Shop in McCrory, suggests using glass cabinet doors so you can easily see the cabinet’s contents and be mindful of organization.
“It forces me to keep things more organized,” McCrory said.
KEEPING PEACE IN SHARED SPACES
It’s hard enough to convince siblings to share anything. What happens when they have to share closet space? Sharing a closet is best accomplished when it is clear which space belongs to whom. Interior designers recommend defining areas based on age: for example, placing an older child’s clothing on the top level of a double-hung closet. A step
stool may be needed to reach the area, but at least it is possible to keep things out of a younger sibling’s reach. Another option is to hang two bars extending into the depth of the closet rather than one long bar across the width.
A TIME AND PLACE FOR INDIVIDUAL STYLE
While parents show off their acquired style through furniture choices, artwork and decor, children’s style can be a bit more changeable. Designers suggest that parents provide children with flexible display systems that show off their creativity in a simple, neat and contained package. Magnetic paint gives children direct control over what they display, allowing them to change displays whenever they want. A large frame with a plexi shield is a lightweight way to display a variety of flat work such as children’s custom artwork.
Creating a functional living space — where parents and children coexist harmoniously — doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By choosing durable but stylish furniture and practical storage solutions, as well as allowing family members the chance to express their style in defined places, your home can become a haven for all ages.