Keeping a Tidy, Elegant Home With Kids? Challenge Accepted!
I know firsthand the struggle of keeping a beautifully decorated home when you have little ones running around. As a mom of three rambunctious kids, I’ve had my fair share of spills, messes, and wayward toys scattered everywhere. But I’m here to tell you that it is possible to have a stylish, grown-up space that also stands up to the chaos of family life.
The key? Closed storage, my friends. That’s right – the secret to concealing clutter and maintaining that polished look lies in strategic use of cabinets, drawers, and other hidden storage solutions. And I’m about to share my top tips for pulling it off in your own home.
The Beauty of Closed Storage
As I’ve learned from experience, open shelving and styled displays are a recipe for disaster when you have little ones around. Their tiny hands just can’t resist the temptation to grab, pull, and scatter everything in sight.
That’s why I’m a huge advocate for closed storage. Whether it’s cabinets, drawers, or even baskets behind doors, these hidden nooks and crannies are a lifesaver for concealing the inevitable clutter that comes with kids. In my own home, I’ve found that the only time things look perfect is when the kiddos are out of the picture. The rest of the time, I rely on those closed-off spaces to tame the chaos.
And the great news is, you don’t have to sacrifice style for function. There are plenty of gorgeous, grown-up pieces of furniture that offer ample hidden storage potential. In fact, that’s exactly what I focused on when designing a stunning traditional living room for one of my clients – a busy mom just like me.
Designing for Real Life
When my client in California reached out, she had a clear vision in mind: a beautiful, elegant living space where her family and friends could gather. But with three kids of her own, she also needed a room that could stand up to the inevitable spills, messes, and toy explosions.
As an interior designer who’s also a mom, I approach every project through a “mom lens”. I’m always on the lookout for pieces that not only look fabulous, but are also durable, easy to clean, and able to withstand the rigors of family life.
For this traditional living room design, that meant focusing on closed storage solutions that could conceal the clutter while maintaining an elegant, sophisticated vibe. Take the rich, dark wood cabinet we incorporated, for example. It provided ample hidden storage space to tuck away all those little toys and knick-knacks, while blending seamlessly with the rest of the room’s traditional decor.
And it wasn’t just the big furniture pieces that got the closed-storage treatment. Even the decor accents were carefully chosen to hide any potentially distracting kid stuff. Instead of a brightly colored plastic chalkboard, we opted for a more subdued, neutral-toned version that could blend into the background. The same goes for the dart board – out went the garish primary colors in favor of a sleek, sophisticated gray-and-white design.
Multifunctional Marvels
Of course, concealing clutter is only half the battle. When you’ve got little ones running around, you also need furnishings that can withstand the wear and tear. That’s why I made sure to select pieces that could pull double duty – looking elegant while also being highly durable and practical.
Take the sectional sofa, for instance. It’s upholstered in a high-performance fabric that can stand up to spills and stains, yet still maintains a sophisticated, traditional vibe. And the throw pillows? Most of them are actually pillow covers, which means I can simply toss them in the wash when inevitable accidents happen.
The coffee table tray is another genius multifunctional piece. Sure, it looks elegant and grown-up, but it also serves as a quick and easy way to scoop up stray toys and bits of clutter. When things start to get a little too messy, I can just toss everything into the tray and carry it off to be properly put away.
And let’s not forget about that sleek side table with the hidden drawers. It provides a discreet spot to stash all the tiny trinkets and random odds and ends that my kids seem to collect on a daily basis. No more Lego pieces or lost Shopkins underfoot!
A Beautiful, Livable Space
At the end of the day, the goal wasn’t to create a “look-but-don’t-touch” kind of living room. My client wanted a space that was not only beautiful, but also comfortable and practical for her family to enjoy. And by strategically incorporating those closed storage solutions, we were able to achieve just that.
Sure, there may still be the occasional spill or toy explosion. But with all those hidden nooks and crannies to corral the clutter, my client can rest easy knowing that her elegant living room will stay looking its best – even with three rambunctious kiddos running around. And hey, if you happen to spot a stray Lego or two, just toss ’em in the side table drawer. Problem solved!
So if you’re a parent struggling to keep your home looking polished and put-together, take it from this seasoned mom: closed storage is the way to go. With the right furnishings and a little creative thinking, you can have the best of both worlds – a stunning, grown-up space that still stands up to the chaos of family life.
Ready to transform your own living room into a clutter-concealing oasis? Head on over to ABC Home to explore our wide selection of closed storage solutions and durable, family-friendly furnishings. Your neat-freak inner self (and your kids!) will thank you.
