Your home is the place where your family live, laughs and loves together, so you need to ensure that it is the one space that is truly set up for all of your needs and that it is a truly delightful place to come back to after a tough day of work and school. That’s why I’m going to take you through the essentials every growing family home should have to make it the place you want and need to be.
1. A Kitchen That’s More Like Command Central
The kitchen is the heart of the home, as estate agents the country over will attest, especially when that home is bursting at the seams with kids, toys, and the occasional pet. You need a space where you can cook, supervise homework, and keep an eye on the little ones without tripping over a toy train. The dream is a large, open-plan kitchen with plenty of storage – somewhere between a restaurant kitchen and a playroom.
2. A Garden: For Sanity and Play
A garden is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for your home. It’s your slice of nature and a sanity saver. It’s where memories are made and energy levels are depleted (hopefully enough for an early bedtime). Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to get those kids off screens and into the great outdoors – even if it’s just a stone’s throw from the kitchen.
3. Bathrooms: The More, The Merrier
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, you can never have too many bathrooms. A family home needs at least two – because the morning bathroom queue can be the most stressful part of the day. It’s like a game of musical chairs, but everyone needs the loo.
4. A Utility Room: For the Never-Ending Laundry Saga
With kids around, laundry multiplies faster than you can say, ‘Where’s the washing basket?’ A utility room is your laundry battleground, where you can shut the door on those piles of clothes and pretend, just for a moment, that you’re on top of it all.
5. Durable, Easy-to-Clean Everything
From floors to furniture, everything should be as durable and easy to clean as possible. Think washable paint, wipe-clean surfaces, and rugs that don’t show every spill. Because kids have a talent for mess-making.
6. A Playroom: Contain the Chaos
A dedicated playroom can be a game-changer. It’s a space where toys can live (and be contained), and creativity can run wild – away from your carefully styled living room. Plus, it’s easier to shut the door on chaos when guests arrive.
7. Plenty of Storage: Because Kids Come with Stuff
The amount of stuff that comes with kids is mind-boggling. Storage is your best friend, from toys and games to clothes they outgrow in a blink. Think of clever, hidden storage solutions that easily hide clutter in a pinch.
8. A Quiet Corner for Grown-Ups
Last but not least, a space for you. Amidst the whirlwind of family life, having a little nook where you can relax, read, or just enjoy a cup of tea in peace can be a lifesaver. It’s about balancing family space with a little adult sanity.
A home that has all of these things is a home that can support your family, come what may, as you all grow. Learn and live together. Just try not to forget that the practical touches make a family home truly functional, and you won’t go far wrong.