Who says your style has to suffer just because you have kids? With today's fabrics and leather options, it's more than possible to put together roomfuls of furniture that can stand up to an active family life and still look fabulous! First thing to consider is this: don't wait. Sure, it's tempting to keep that hand-me-down, tired sofa until the kids pass the Koolaid-stage, but you and your family all deserve a home that you can be proud of. Besides, there's value in teaching your kids (and some husbands) to appreciate and respect nice things, and the right furnishings will be able to handle some rough treatment.
Consider your family's lifestyle – How do you most often use the room? Watching TV and movies together? Playing video games? Coloring, crafts, and playing with pets? Be realistic about what your family uses the room for, and you'll be happier with the furniture that goes in it.
Choose a style that is clean-lined and comfortable – Frills and tassels aren't exactly practical for an active family room with little (often dirty) fingers, so whatever decorating style you choose, low-maintenance is a must. But low-maintenance doesn't have to look cheap — think well-made, durable, and easy to clean.
Choose furniture pieces that work overtime – Think multi-purpose when you shop for furniture — coffee tables with shelves and drawers underneath, or ottomans and consoles that open up for storage, and entertainment centers with lots of storage space and shelving for equipment and media.
Look for durable materials – For upholstery, leather sometimes seems like a luxury, but it's actually very durable — it easily wipes clean and ages beautifully (as long as no permanent markers are involved). For fabrics, you'll want something that is soft, but also washable. Choose those with a flat weave, which will hold up better than lightweight or looped fabrics. Easy-care, practically stain-proof choices include vinyl, "pleather," ultrasuede, twill, denim, velvet, wool, felt, and other natural fabrics with a touch of synthetic fiber woven in for added toughness. When purchasing upholstery, be sure to invest in a stain-resistant finish.
Accessorize wisely – High shelves and mantles are great for dressing up a space while keeping little fingers at bay. Keep your nicer accessories up top (but do make sure your bookcases or display shelves are bolted to the wall). Dress up lower shelves with several matching baskets or boxes for papers, toys, DVDs, and games.
Prepare for the inevitable – Of course mistakes will happen, so have some clean up materials handy in that room. Keep some clean rags, wet wipes, or paper towels in one of the end tables.
Buy the best furniture you can afford – It may seem paradoxical, but when you have children it makes sense to buy the best-made furniture you can afford because it will last longer. Look for heavy, solid furnishings constructed with kiln-dried hardwood that's been screwed, glued and corner-blocked. Consider upgrading chair and sofa cushions to spring down, which does an excellent job of holding its shape over time.
Cheap, you-assemble-it furniture may be tempting to "make do" with, but it will most likely wind up broken, battered, and taking up space in a landfill within a few years — making it no bargain at all.
Life with kids may be messy, but it doesn't have to be ugly. Remember these tips and create a beautiful home that you and your family can enjoy for many years to come.
What to look for
Most people believe that home life and style might suffer if they have children. As we know, children do not always think before they make a mess. They run around with pens and food and then, there's a spill or a stain. With our furniture, you have the peace of mind guarantee that it is tough and durable. We have stain and water resistant fabrics that will make your home look fantastic, regardless of how careless your kids are!
You deserve a home to be proud of, and there is much to be said for teaching your children how to respect furniture and keep the home clean and tidy. There is no reason for you to need to keep the old cast-off sofa and miss-matched chair just because you children are still too young to appreciate the cost of replacing it all. You can still buy nice things and make sure your kids know it must be looked after.
For home theatres and lounge rooms, furniture can be easy to choose. We have a wide range of theatre furniture to suit all your family needs. Your purchase will be a long term item and you need to be sure you are choosing something suitable.
Choosing practical furniture is more convenient. Tassels and frilly furniture is not conducive to children and they will likely get destroyed pretty quickly, so think carefully before you buy.
Consider the use of multi-functional furniture which is stain and water resistant. If you buy a coffee table, consider one with a shelf underneath so that the kids can store their pens and colouring books. Other styles of coffee table might include drawers or compartments for keeping things tidy. Durable materials, such as hard wearing fabrics will increase the longevity of your furniture and will be easy to clean and maintain.
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