Blog Post Writing

Let's be real: with children in the picture, your home is less showplace, more creative battleground. One day, your throw pillows are nicely fluffed. Next, they're serving as the walls of a pillow fort that's being held together by crackers and stale socks. And that new area rug? Oops, it just met apple juice.

But here is the good news: your house doesn't need to descend into disarray. You can still have a home that is welcoming, lovely, and personalized to you, even with small children tearing around who tend to create chaos.

1. Select textiles that exhibit leniency.

We learned this the hard way. After scrubbing spaghetti sauce from a light-colored couch for the third time, I finally accepted what many parents already know: all fabrics are not created equal. Go for materials such as microfiber, faux leather, or performance fabrics that wipe clean without fuss.

And for goodness' sake, avoid dry-clean-only everything. Life is too short.

2. Embrace the pattern.

I once loved neutral colors, until I realized that every smudge, spill, and sticky handprint was practically spotlighted. Nowadays? Our living room carpet has a busy, bold print that hides all sorts of sins. Crayon on the border? Could've been meant to be there. Jam smudge? Just part of the design, you know.

It turns out, a bit of visual chaos is a genius method for concealing the actual chaos.

3. Low and slow furniture.

Have you ever seen a toddler scale a barstool? It's a heart attack waiting to happen. So I've begun leaning toward low-profile furniture, soft poufs, substantial ottomans, and chunky coffee tables. If they fall (and they will), it's a short journey. And bonus: the house feels more grounded and cozy.

4. Give them a space to go wild.

I quit trying to combat it. I created one small space in the house, just for them. A floor mat, a chalkboard wall, baskets of blocks and books. Not fancy. But now, when they have to spread out and construct their "robot city," they do it there. Not at the dining table. Not on the stairs. Just there.

Trust me, it's worth it.

5. Conceal it all in plain sight.

Storage does not need to scream "toy box." Our coffee table opens and swallows Lego. The hallway bench hides puzzles. The decorative baskets? Well, they're holding action figures and cookies à la carte (don't judge). When there's a place for everything, even a devious one, cleaning up is far less of a chore. Having kids means your home won't be perfect. But maybe perfect is not the goal. Maybe the goal is to have a home that is lived in, loved on, and totally okay with a little mess. Because the truth is, the sticky fingerprints and scattered crayons will not last forever, but the memories will.

And just so you know, washable paint is made for a reason.