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Kids’ Bedrooms
Bunk beds and lofts are obvious choices for maximizing floor space and today’s styles are often packed with built-in storage for clothes and toys. The downside of these space savers is the twin size mattress, which is only about three feet wide. A full size mattress will be more comfortable for an older child and helpful to have if the room occasionally serves as a guestroom.
While larger beds have advantages, larger dressers sometimes do not. Children’s dressers tend to be narrow, with drawer pulls that are close together to fit the proportions of small hands and shorter arm spans. Drawers that are easy to open can promote confidence in increasingly independent children. Later, when the dresser is outgrown, it can move into a closet for extra storage.
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Many sectionals have multiple configurations to fit any room, even if you move.
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The Family Room
Sectional sofas are cozy for one and comfortable for many. Best of all, these versatile furniture forms often have multiple configurations, which means they’ll adapt to any room, even if you move. If you move to a smaller space, the pieces can be separated and used in different rooms.
The Family Workspace
If you’re like many families, everyone has a private workspace but the kitchen table is often used for homework and paying bills. Is this because everyone is craving a social atmosphere or is something else going on?
For your kids, the reason might be a need for more space to spread out textbooks and binders. If their rooms won’t accommodate large desks, consider making a common workspace in a corner of the kitchen or family room. A shared space for studying, email and paperwork is an integral part of any busy home. Plus, today’s workstations for the home are offered in many warm styles and finishes that easily blend with your décor.
As your family grows, it’s inevitable you’ll transition furniture to different rooms. To plan for this, remember to look for classic designs that complement many different decors. Even the simplest styles can be livened up with accessories while maintaining maximum versatility for use in other rooms. As your family grows and changes, enjoy your comfortable, kids-friendly home, this year and always.
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Kids’ room ideas: |
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Large plastic storage cubes from the local hardware store hold lots of stuff and can be used as seats or tables. |
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Nesting tables are useful for the whole family and easily moved from room to room. When homework, games and projects are done, the tables “nest” together to save space. |
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Painted walls give you the most flexibility to update the look of your maturing child’s room. Wallpaper is difficult to change and cute prints quickly outgrown. |
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Redecorate a small area rather than the entire room. A child can personalize a closet door with shaped sponges dipped in paint, while your teen might enjoy one wall in a very “now” color. |
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A few tips to ensure your sofa and chairs are family friendly: |
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Fabrics with a higher thread count and tighter weave are more durable. |
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Flat weaves are less likely than highly textured fabrics to fray with frequent use. |
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Rotate and vacuum cushions regularly to prolong the life of your sofa and chairs. |
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Washable slipcovers are an active family’s best friend. Spills are easy to clean and covers are quickly removed when you entertain, allowing you to reveal your “my, it’s so clean!” sofa underneath. |
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Whether homework is done at a desk or kitchen table, ergonomics are important. |
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Use an adjustable desk chair, or “raise” the seat with pillows to position children at a comfortable height for the work surface. |
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Dangling feet promote restlessness. If your child’s feet don’t touch the floor, add a footstool or box in the space between. |
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If the chair is too big, create a lumbar support by placing a roll of paper towels between your child’s back and the back of the chair. |
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