Kid-Proof vs. Kid-Friendly: Designing Spaces for the Whole Family
There’s a giant chasm between the expectations of design clients with families and the expectations of those without. The emphasis on functional design skyrockets when suddenly there are concerns about kids climbing stairs, jamming fingers in sockets, and being able to independently help themselves. While it can seem like a compromise too great, designing a home for kids needn't mean a house devoid of joy, character, and beauty. In fact, as interior advisors, we strongly encourage our clients to lean into creating home environments that work both functionally and aesthetically for the whole family.
Thinking beyond kid-proof design
There is more than one approach to creating a space that works for kids. We tend to think about this design in three ways:
How to design spaces for kids
Go for kid-centric design: as it implies, is a design concept 100% centered on kids. You’d typically see this type of design in a nursery or a kids playground, where the focus is on accessibility, safety, and sanitation, so children can move through the space without adult assistance. While great for kids, this approach leads to a design that doesn’t really work for adult needs.
Go for kid-proof design: whilst there may be some overlap between this type of design and the one above, this approach focuses on making things indestructible or ‘less easily damaged’ at the hands of children. Think waterproof floors, performance fabrics, and plastic instead of glass. The main drawback of this approach is that it can lack any thoughtful design entirely.
Go for kid-friendly design: this is design that largely works for children, but has goes beyond the factors of accessibility, durability and practicality to include a focus form and adult needs, making it a better fit for families. This is the type of design this blog post is focused on.
De Rosee Sa via Vogue Australia
Balancing aesthetics and practicality in home design
As you begin to think about designing the different spaces within your home for your family, recognize you’ll need to think about three main elements and how to prioritize and balance them in each room of the house.
3 tips for making homes kid-friendly:
Consider accessibility: How accessible do you want certain parts of the space to be to the kids?
Consider durability: How can the different items and materials within the space hold up to the wear-and-tear kids come with?
Consider preciousness: What types of items are you willing to risk being damaged or broken?
How to Design Kid-Friendly Bathrooms
This is where accessibility in design matters most. Make sure to consider how kids will access fixtures and storage. Will stools be needed? How will those be stored when not in use? Is the faucet easy to open and close? Can the kids easily clean away toothpaste and brushes, loofahs and bath toys?
You’ll also need to choose items that can sustain a lot of water and things being thrown or grabbed. If this is where the kids are taking baths, you can be certain water will at times be on the floor and the walls.
For preciousness, carefully consider the type of art you hang in the room and its ability to withstand moisture, and make sure you’re comfortable with risking any cherished items ending up damaged.
“Don’t feel like all spaces in your home have to be accessible to your kids. It’s okay to designate certain areas as off-limits. If you need a space that’s all your own, embrace that.”
Chauncey Boothby Interiors
Kid-friendly kitchens
As with the bathroom, accessibility and durability are going to be the main priorities. If you have small children, countertop and cupboard height are big factors. If you don’t want the kids opening doors or drawers, select latches or knobs that are harder for them to use, and place precious or potentially dangerous items higher up and out of reach. There are cabinets now that come with built in step stool drawers, and there are also faucets that can be operated with a foot pedal, both of which are great options for families with your kids.
When selecting flooring, and countertop and cabinet materials, talk carefully with experts about using finishes that can withstand daily wear and tear. Some stones, like marble and quartzite, are more susceptible to staining and damage than others, so picking something you and your kids can live with is important.
How to design other rooms for kids
Unlike bathrooms and kitchens, preciousness is likely the most important factor in other rooms designed with kids in mind.
If there is special heirloom furniture or precious art, you could place it in an area of the room where it is unlikely to be interacted with by kids. Consider reupholstering furniture with durable, wipeable or washable fabrics or those covered with clever stain disguising patterns, and use washable rugs and m soft furnishings like curtains or cushion covers.
Opt for floors that can withstand muddy boots, water, dragged furniture, play doh and slime (this is one of our least favourites!).
Spend some time observing how your kids interact with items in spaces outside the home. If they like to pull or hang on things, for example, curtains or towel rails might be a bad idea. While you can’t be completely kid-proof (nor should you try to be), making some smart choices could help prevent things being broken.
Cameron Ruppert Interiors via the Expert
Designing for kids is a delicate balancing act that requires families to consider practicality, durability, and accessibility alongside form, but it’s not impossible. You can prioritize practicality and durability while maintaining a sense of style.
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