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We’re so excited to have Miriam Bornstein from Zillow help us make our own homes kid-friendly all while keeping it stylish! Miriam writes about lifestyle, home improvement and design for Zillow Blog.

MIRIAM:

Designing a home around children comes with limitations, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your personal style. Embrace living with children by creating rooms that encourage you to think outside of the box and incorporate your child’s whimsical view of the world.

Here are five ways to create a stylish, kid-friendly home.

1. ORGANIZE STORAGE

Source: Claire Paquin on Zillow Digs®

Clutter and scattered toys are certainly an unavoidable part of family life, but your child’s toys don’t have to become part of your home décor. Establish order and organization by storing your children’s toys and art supplies in one designated place. Slide boxes or baskets into open shelves, place wicker toy bins next to standing lamps or use the extra storage in a hollow foot rest. Adding storage not only provides you with peace of mind, but also helps you establish a less cluttered lifestyle.

2. INVEST IN TIMELESS FURNITURE

Source: Lukas Machnik on Zillow Digs®

Kids outgrow their clothes, but they don’t have to outgrow their furniture at the same rapid pace. Create a room that your child can grow with by investing in neutral furniture and timeless pieces. Avoid kid-themed furniture and décor, eliminating the need to update your child’s room every couple of years. Instead, invest in a black dresser, brass lamp or white nightstand – all functional items that a child needs for years, regardless of age.

3. INVOLVE YOUR CHILDREN

Source: Brooke Morales on Zillow Digs®

Embrace your child’s creativity by involving them in the home decorating process. What patterns and colors does your kid like? Let your child have a say in the kind of bathroom tile to buy, or the color of paint for the front door. Even flipping through magazines together can spark inspiration and creativity. Collaborating with your child on a project not only encourages quality family time, but also allows the whole family to create an environment that everyone can enjoy.

4. PURCHASE A DINING ROOM TABLE

Source: Lukas Machnik on Zillow Digs®

Bring the family together by purchasing a dining room table equipped for the whole family. Look for tables accompanied by benches that can double as storage, or find a table that expands as your family grows. If you’re looking for function and style, purchase a table that you can refurbish. One way to do this is by purchasing a secondhand table to repaint and retouch.

5. DECORATE WITH DECALS

Source: Tony Leocadio on Zillow Digs®

Incorporating playful decals is one fool-proof way to add character to your child’s room without having to paint or renovate. Decals are an exceptional option for renters because they’re safe over painted walls, removable and don’t involve a can of paint. Because decals are interchangeable, they’re great for a child with evolving interests. Swap out an animal display for images of the solar system, or combine the two for an exciting wall display.

Decorating with children may be a challenge, but it shouldn’t stop you from designing your dream home. Creating a home that’s both stylish and kid-friendly is attainable through organization, collaboration and investing in timeless pieces. For more inspiration, check out Zillow Digs.

It would be SO nice to be in just one room in the house without seeing play doh and books and balls and puzzles and trucks and cars everywhere. Chaos. I’m dreaming about a playroom where I can hide the boys junk and have an adult space. But wouldn’t it be icing on the cake (mmm…cake) to have said playroom be aesthetically pleasing AND functional? Here are my playroom inspirations- designed by some super creative mommies and some of my favorite bloggers:

1. Pencil Shavings Studio

Genius: color color color, gallery wall, chic storage