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, vertical storage 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.
“Storage ottomans can be a way to hide clutter by becoming a storage space for puzzles and board games, as well as gaming systems,” said Tracey Rackley, manager at Rackley Furniture in Atkins. “They can also be utilized as storage space for throws and extra pillows when they aren’t being used.”
In addition to offering storage, ottomans have also become popular because of their versatility. Ottomans can be used to replace a coffee table, as a footrest or as seating for overflow guests.
“There are lots of options with ottomans,” said Chad Jeane, owner of Cajun Brothers Furniture in Conway. “The things you’re seeing a lot more of right now, you’re seeing instead of one big one, they may use two small ones that are kind of a match.”
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, lowsheen 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 most durable is leather, but it’s also the most expensive,” Jeane said. “The man-made fibers tend to hold up better and are a lot more family-friendly and easy to deal with. Your polyesters, your nylons, your acrylics — all those fibers — they are not absorbent in that stuff will get in between the fibers, but not into the fabric itself.”
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.
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 items, such as children’s custom artwork.
HALL STANDS
One way to stop clutter from getting into living areas in the first place is to keep it near the entrances of the home. A hall stand placed near the front or rear door can be a great way to collect items such as shoes and jackets.
“The traditional hall stand of the past has been replaced in many instances by a much larger piece of furniture, 4 to 5 feet in length, with several hooks and bench storage, as well as nooks for each child’s personal items,” Rackley said. “When space allows in an entryway, this is a great way to store items that would otherwise be left in other spaces throughout the home.”
END TABLES
With modern devices such as smartphones and tablets, cord clutter can become a problem in living spaces. To help reduce this, some modern end tables come with built-in charges for these devices. Cords can be tucked away when not in use and are readily available when needed.
“If you’re sitting on the couch, and you’ve got your iPad out and you need some juice, there it is,” Jeane said.
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.