Furniture that enhances how you live
One of the greatest joys of having a home you love is seeing it change with each life milestone. The blank canvas as you move in, changing the spare room into a nursery, or figuring out what to do with it again once the kids have flown the nest!
Times may change but there’s one constant that stays the same: good storage. It can do more for a growing family than you might realise, supporting you and your kids from tots to teens and beyond. So, if you need some ideas on how to evolve your interiors around each stage of your life, our guide is just the ticket.
We’re taking an example family room through the ages to show how your storage can adapt to the needs of a growing household. And we’ll also be covering some essential style tips to keep everyone in the home happy. Take a look…
Styling a family room for young kids
When you’re becoming a parent, storage might be the last thing on your mind but it can certainly come into its own once your children are able to stand on their own two feet.
Low-height cupboards allow kids to exercise independence, picking and choosing their toys as they like, making it a great addition to playroom furniture.
Having dedicated storage can also encourage kids to tidy up after themselves and build up these good habits early - though nobody said it was going to be easy!
And, of course, when you’re picking up after young children, storage makes a world of difference to having a tidy home. Something that can definitely help to take the pressure off whenever you have guests.
Style tips for a home with young children
Playrooms and family spaces should be light, bright and fun for little ones. When you want to create a space that caters to their needs, it’s important to make a space that’s engaging, as well as keep in mind their smaller stature.
Start with a neutral background
While it’s tempting to paint the walls their favourite colour, keep in mind that tastes change. Your best option is to start with a fresh neutral so your space will be easier to redecorate further down the line, then work in colour through your room accessories.
Bring in smaller furniture for kids
Sofas will naturally be too high for your tiny tots so make sure to add in child-sized tables and chairs so that they can play, paint and draw in comfort. Low-height storage is also a must, whether it’s something like window seat storage or a toy chest.
Add in bright colours and fun fabrics
Any space that the kids use regularly should be colourful and exciting so make sure to bring in bold patterns and hues that spark their imagination. It could be through soft furniture like pillows and throws, or other room accents like window treatments.
Rugs make floor play comfy
If they love playing on the floor, you’ll find that a rug can work wonders. Choose materials that are soft, durable and easy to wash. Make sure that the underside is non-slip too to prevent any accidents.
Childproof your spaces
Safety first! Make sure to use silicone protectors on hard furniture like dressers and tables to protect your little ones from any sharp corners. Secure any heavy objects and add childproof latches to cupboards and drawers to prevent their curiosity getting the better of them.
Styling a family room for teens
For older children, entertainment is everything.
Here, the built-in media unit really comes into focus as it becomes the centre for socialising and relaxation.
As they bring over friends to visit, this is where they’ll spend their time streaming films, out-competing each other on their favourite computer games or having sleepovers.
Fitted storage makes the perfect place to store all of their consoles and tech, keeping it neatly tidied away.
If you have in-built lighting in your storage, this also creates a fantastic atmosphere for family movie nights together.
Style tips for a home with teenagers
If you want to make your interiors more appealing to older children, it’s all about creating the right atmosphere. The bright colours that dominated the style of their early youth should make way to a slightly more mature feel. It can still be colourful but should have more of a cohesive theme, rather than a riot of vibrant hues.
Expand your seating
It’s not just your own kids you have to cater for - as school friends come to visit, it’s a good idea to expand your seating to accommodate guests. Beanbags make a great option and let your teens rearrange the space as they like, though a sofa bed can also be a savvy, space-saving choice.
Layer your lighting
Dimmable LEDS, fairy lights and funky neons can bring plenty of character to your family room space so feel free to get creative and mix things up. Perfect for creating a moody ambience in the evenings.
Look for quirky pieces
Teen spaces are all about creating a strong personality and pushing back against expectations. This is where bold and quirky pieces really make a statement. Look for striking and unusual artwork and decor to create a one-of-a-kind family room.
Make space for games and snacks
It doesn’t always have to be about tech. Your family room can be a great chillout area for the kids by adding in non-electronic games like table football or air hockey. And if you really want to push the boat out, you can even add in a mini fridge for some snacks and refreshments.
Blend in a workspace
Depending on how much room you have, you could also add in a small home office desk to give somewhere for your kids to do homework and revision if they want some time away from the main living room.
Styling a family room for empty nesters
Now that the kids have grown up and moved out, your family room fitted storage will still make it a great place to get together in the evenings.
It might be a little quieter but it’s very much the place to cosy up with your favourite TV box set or big blockbuster movie.
With the space reclaimed, your furniture can act as more of a display piece for sentimental items or other heirloom ornaments that might not have been safe around young, boisterous children.
It also makes a fantastic alternate hosting space for guests, whether they’re dropping in for a quick cuppa or if you’re putting on a big get-together.
Style tips for empty nesters
Becoming an empty nester can feel overwhelming at first but you can have a lot of fun restyling and reclaiming your interiors to make them exactly as you like. Now is the perfect time to rediscover your hobbies, your preferences and maximise the full potential of your spaces.
Don’t downsize too fast!
It can be tempting to empty out all of the kids’ bedrooms and pare back your furniture to the bare essentials, but be careful not to do too much too quickly. You’ll likely still need a space for people staying over - and perhaps even room for grandchildren visiting too! - so make sure that you’re not removing everything a guest will need for comfort.
Declutter your interiors
Cutting down on the clutter is a great way to get that ‘clean slate’ feeling for your interiors. Once you’ve gotten rid of the smaller unnecessary bits and pieces, you can start reevaluating your spaces and redesign them from a new mental perspective.
Redefine how you use your home
With the whole run of the place at your fingertips, it’s now up to you to decide what role your interiors play within your larger layout. Take a step back and think about what you need versus what you want. You could make a family room-cum-office to enjoy two uses in one. Or perhaps you have a spare box room that you want to change into the dressing room of your dreams. Get creative and expand your horizons.
Make room for hobbies
The empty nest stage is a fantastic opportunity to get in touch with old hobbies. If you have the extra space, you might find that you can dedicate a whole area of your home to your pastimes, like a painting or music room. Alternatively, you can go for simple redecoration - such as putting all of your favourite books on show - to make your interests part of your home.
Fitted furniture that keeps in step with your life
Good storage is almost part of the family itself, keeping your home tidy through every life and style change. So if you’re ready to enjoy a whole new level of comfort, get in touch with our team at Sharps.
We can help you create your dream fitted storage for any space in your home, whether it’s bookshelves for your lounge or a display cabinet for the dining room. Book a Free In-home Design Visit today to get started!
