There is nothing quite so beautiful as a happy child in a happy home, but let’s face it, it is next to impossible to keep a home perfectly clean and decorated when you have two little feet running around. Of the many that happen in your life and your home when you have kids, some of the most visible changes are the sticky floors, drawing on the walls, and messy floors that seem to magically get cluttered up whenever you clean them. 

When you enter a house, no matter how clean and organized it is, there are many little things that let you know whether it’s a home for little ones—whether it’s a child-safe lock, a funny little drawing displayed on the wall, or a pair of tiny shoes by the door. With all the restrictions that come with decorating a house when you have children, there is also something extremely liberating about it. If you always wanted to paint your walls a buttery yellow and mint green and hang watermelon drapes on the windows, you can do it! 

Here are some ways to embrace your inner child, and make your home a happy little haven for your little ones.

The colours that we surround ourselves with have a great impact on our emotions. When it comes to children, being around vivid and bright colours inspire their creativity and even helps their brain development. Orange is a bright and cheerful colour that has been shown to enhance communication and socialization. Pink is calming, and encourages feelings of empathy and nurturing. Green is a soothing colour that brings the freshness of nature and outdoor play into a room. If your child will be doing the majority of their homework in their room, green might be an excellent choice. Blue and purple are two other excellent choices, helping slow down their hectic pace, and help them pause to consider the thoughts and feelings of others.

If you are opting for wallpaper over colour, choose them wisely. Luxurious silks are not kid-friendly—dirty hands and spills can ruin silk real fast. The same true for some grasscloth papers which kids love to pull on, hence lowering their durability quite a bit. Do not spend too much money on your wallpaper. Select an accent or removable wallpaper that you can replace easily. Before you make the purchase, check whether your wallpaper is easy to clean. Look for the ones that are waterproof and particularly kid-friendly, which means it will only take a few minutes with a bucket of water and sponge to get rid of any scribbling by the little ones.

If your space needs to accommodate a large or growing family, consider open dining, family room, and game room which will allow you to keep an eye on your kids and spend more quality time together. To help the spaces look and feel consistent, consider using a neutral colour palette with a few fun touches and accents. Even in your common shared settings such as the living room, try to keep the floor plan as open as possible. Remove any unwanted walls and reduce obstructions in the way of running little feet. It is especially important to have an open floor place if you do not have a lot of gardens or outdoor space. 

It is impossible to avoid all accidents when you have little ones. There will always be some falls and scrapping of knees, but reduce the damage by bringing in some soft seating. Poufs, floor cushions, and ottomans are great options for extra seating in a living area—especially if you have kids. Avoid sharp corners as much as possible. They’ll make space feel more grounded and laidback while still introducing some style.