You just bought a gorgeous new sectional, and it looks perfect in your family room, but you're not sure how you're going to keep the kids and the dog from ruining it. How will you ever keep your room clean and organized and ensure it reflects your design style? In this blog post, I’ll show you five easy tips you do not want to miss on how you can create a cozy kid and pet-friendly family room.

#2. using Ottomans as Coffee tables

Are you team ottoman or team coffee table? If you have small children and pets, I’d say including an ottoman as a coffee table is your best option. Not only would you prevent your kids from bumping into a table, but some of them have a convenient storage space to avoid clutter and keep an area organized. You can also use ottomans as extra seating, and they are softer on the feet when you want to prop them up to watch a movie.

In this project, my client needed a coffee table but was totally onboard with a leather ottoman. We selected one that was open on the bottom to keep a light and airy feeling in the room. The soft, brown leather contrasts the custom fabric on the sofa and adds a masculine element to the space.

What do you prefer? Ottomans or Coffee Tables? Let me know in the comments!

#3. Add Indoor/Outdoor Rugs that are easy to clean

My favorite thing about rugs is that they add texture and color to a room, making them a smart choice for any space. When creating a family room that’s kid and pet friendly, make sure to add some rugs that are easy to clean and don’t soak in stains. Vacuuming them regularly will make it a safe spot for your kids to play and run around. Whether indoor or outdoor, they create a warm and welcoming environment.

In this space, we used an indoor/outdoor a rug that anchors the sectional in the area. It's super easy to clean and boasts a fun pattern. I love that my client said they feel like they're on vacation every time they walk into this room. 

Do you need help making your room into a place you’ll love? Book a call with me to help you get started!

#4. Consider adding Built-In Book Shelves

Want to improve the storage and create a designer look in your living room?  Built-ins are great for storage and displaying your favorite accessories, plus you can also use them to hide some of the toy clutter and at the same time keep them accessible. So, reducing the clutter and having a more organized space will keep your children safe, with fewer things to trip on and avoiding corners or edges that may harm them. 

One of my recent projects included some built-ins. I love this whole family room transformation! Finished photos of this room to come! Using a Modern Coastal Style, we designed a cozy and warm family room for my client. I particularly love the blue that contrasts with the neutral palette. Not to mention the wood above the fireplace. Check all the details about this project here!

#5. Bring in color and texture

Having kids and pets in your home brings joy, and what better way to reflect on that than adding bright colors to your family room? Color will help set the mood for a fun family room and tie your space together. 

In this room, the pillows and poufs add some fun pattern and texture to make it inviting. Sometimes small elements go a long way. This room is now ready for some quality family time!

So you’ll see, designing a family and pet-friendly room is no mission impossible. Using the right touches, you can transform your space and turn it into a fun place to be! If you want to update your family room, but don’t know where to begin, book a discovery call with me to help you with the steps to get started. 

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