A constant question I
get asked is “what products are best with kids or pets?”. Most people
believe that you have to give up fashion for function; well I am here to tell
you that you don’t have to give up anything; you can definitely have fashion
and function in your household with these helpful tips!
With kids and pets the
main thing to think about is if the product is washable and durable. When
buying a sofa think about it like you do with sheets and thread count.
For fabrics it’s called a rub count – the wear and tear that comes from
someone sitting down or getting up from an upholstered seat.
If you are looking for a
sofa with fabric make sure you use a fabric with a high rub count. I recommend
50,000 or higher for active households with kids and pets. 3,000 double rubs
equals one year's worth of use.
With the colour of your
fabric try and find one that has a bit of a texture. This will help hide wear
and tear over the years as well.
A helpful tip for pet
owners is to choose furniture pieces that are the same as your animal’s
colouring. This helps your space seem cleaner with less pet hair showing. I
have white Jack Russell’s so my entire house is white! I look like an
amazing housekeeper because their dog hair is hidden, so white fabrics are a
lifesaver for me!
When it comes to
dressing up your furniture use fun accent pillows. Think you can’t use designer
pillows with kids and pets around? Think again – my new line is fully washable,
hypoallergenic, cruelty free, reversible, recyclable and Canadian made – both
accent pillows and dog beds to match! So no need to worry about messy hands or
dirty paws, you can now throw the entire pillow in the wash and it comes out
looking better than new every time.
For dining room tables I
suggest going with something that looks better with age and a little wear and
tear. Artemano has some amazing live edge tables that will stand the test of
the time and add life to your space at the same time. Also look at adding a
salvage wood coffee table, the worn out wood is perfect for busy households
that like to eat or do homework in the family room. The table adds fashion and
function to any space and adds a little stress free living for you at the same
time!
When looking at
flooring, make sure you choose a tile, hardwood or laminate with a bit of a
flex or multiple hues in it as it will help hide the dirt and dust. A solid
dark colour will be your enemy so steer clear! Go with middle grade
colours and hues. Laminate hardwood flooring has come a long way, they are
durable, stylish, and great for dog nails, kid’s toys, and they also don’t show
traffic marks or sun damage, plus easy to keep clean! If you want
to take it one step further with an even more durable floor check out Creekside
Tile’s porcelain wood flooring, it looks just like wood planks. Comes in
multiple colours and you can have radiant flooring underneath it. Plus your
kids or pets will have a hard time destroying it, I don’t care how big or strong
they are!
Now when it comes to
your walls, a good giveaway if a house has kids or pets - you’ll see nicks and
marks everywhere. Para Paint Elite Paint and Primer all in one is a 100%
acrylic latex formula, ceramic micro-sphere technology for a strong finish,
durable, high hiding, scrub-able, stain resistant, ideal for walls in high
traffic areas, doors and trim. So again don’t worry about the
colour, think about the materials within the
products.
So just because you have
kids or pets doesn’t mean you have to give up the love of light colours or a
neutral colour scheme or nice decor. You can have it all if you make sure you
have the right materials that are washable and durable. The moral of the
story is you can have a stylish house that is functional all the time; fashion
and function can live under one roof!
until next time,
w&c design girl!
