Last week, a reader popped into my Instagram DMs and asked if there was a reason she’d never seen us use what she called “natural fiber” rugs in exposed areas of the room. I had to check what that meant, but I assumed they were referring to materials like seaweed and sisal. I can’t speak for the other amazing women who design spaces on this website, but for me it was simple. They just aren’t kind to children.
I say this from experience, and as someone who has been using rugs woven from natural materials with my kids for nearly four years, they look like they just stepped out of the employee lounge of a Play-Doh factory. “I’m looking for something neutral, soft, and kid-friendly. You answered my question,” said a reader when I told her I’d prefer a thick pile wool rug or something washable.
But then I started thinking. What else would you tell someone who has small children, or is planning to have one soon, to avoid buying? I sat in my living room, looked around, and made mental notes of what works for preschoolers and what isn’t ideal. Then I moved around the house, tagging more notes in my head. And here’s a list of seven things that probably aren’t the best choice for your curious little peanut butter lover. All of this, of course, comes with my typical caveat that none of it is make or break (well, with one possible exception). I’ve had, and have had, at least half of what I detail below, and we all survived, even if things seem a little filthy around here. This is by no means a “throw everything away and start from scratch” situation, but it’s good knowledge to have as you add to your home design and furniture plans.
Don’t #1: Seagrass or sisal rugs.
Wow, my Lulu & Georgia rug that I bought years before my daughter was born was so beautiful at one point. To be honest, it didn’t look all that great until about two years ago when the living room became a playroom and a stationary baby turned into a creative toddler. Things haven’t been much better since then, except that I spilled a glass of green smoothie on this rug and somehow managed to wipe it clean without a trace. why? Because it is woven from this natural wool and sisal blend yarn, and it is almost impossible to remove anything from it.
Here are exhibits 1 and 2 of the freshly vacuumed rugs. You might think it needs cleaning, but this one is clean. Dot markers will not fall off rugs made of this material. Not for use in upholstery washers. forex It’s not about greasing your elbows or saying your prayers (although it works wonders for many other things). Have Play-Doh and Kinetic Sand already rubbed all over the fibers and dried before you can get them? They don’t come out either. *Have you seen anything* on my wool rug in the kitchen? It’s in great condition with few battle scars.
Instead: choose wool or washable rugs
As I suggested to a reader who contacted me, if polyester is fine, use cut-pile wool or something washable. The reason I prefer cut pile wool rugs over woven ones is because their dense texture acts as a barrier to absorption. Spills just sit on top like water on a duck’s feathers, giving you enough time to act and wipe them up. Even stubborn dirt can be easily cleaned with an all-purpose spray and a cloth. The same cannot be said for seagrass rugs.
When it comes to washable rugs, I’m not a big fan of them because they don’t last for decades (or even centuries) like wool, but they’re a great solution “for now” for those who want the style and softness of a rug without the headache.
From left: Pierce & Ward Deco Border Handwoven Wool Rug | Via Machine Washable Rugs | Prism Handwoven Performance Rug
Don’t #2: Textured or light-colored fabric sofas.
I don’t think I need to explain much about the brightly colored parts. Is there a home where you can coexist with children on a white or beige sofa? I’m sure there is. And before I became a mom, I’m sure I would have said something sweet like, “I’m just going to teach my kids not to mess up the furniture.” I have a fairly cautious and thoughtful child who is not destructive and takes no pleasure in ruining things. And most parts of my house still have plenty of evidence of toddler life. No matter how angelic you think your offspring will be, that is the reality. When it comes to texture, it’s the same reason I mentioned for natural fiber rugs. Texture = accumulated gaps allThis makes it very difficult to clean properly.
Instead: Use velvet or performance fabric upholstery.
Hey, do I have a choice when it comes to the Internet’s opinion that velvet is a high-maintenance fabric that should be avoided? Of course, it’s not good for everyone, but I’ve had only positive experiences cleaning everything imaginable on my dark blue velvet sofa. I don’t have a pet, but I’ve also heard that it’s a good solution for anything with claws because it doesn’t have a loop to get caught on.
In general, buy high-performance materials, velvet or otherwise, that will work with your busy household rather than against them. Slipcovers are also great for washing yourself or leaving to a professional dry cleaner.
From left: oscar sofa | “Raffine” sofa by Athena Calderone | Sloan chaise longue sectional with slipcover
Don’t #3: Glass-topped or glass-fronted furniture
At our daughter’s 6-month-old pediatrician’s appointment, we told the doctor that she was crawling and pulling herself up on the furniture. I’ll never forget the first words that came out of her mouth. “If you have glass furniture, such as coffee tables, side tables, glass-fronted cabinets, get rid of it now.” That wasn’t a suggestion, it was a command. BREAKING NEWS: Babies and toddlers love to pick up hard toys and anything else they can get their hands on and hit them anywhere they can reach. Banging + glass is not a combination that should exist around small humans. Also, safety aside, it’s just very noisy. We guarantee that you will receive sufficient audio stimulation. You wouldn’t expect it from me. Focus on wood.
Instead: wooden furniture
Bonus points are given to wooden furniture with rounded edges, especially in high-traffic rooms. Yes, you can add a foam bumper for the first year or two of walking (which we did). But even after that, they manage to roughhouse, jump, and dance until they somehow get hurt.
From left: Panos Brown Solid Acacia 51 Inch Oval Coffee Table | Pierce & Ward Wood Tiered Side Table (18 inches) | Voyage Natural 2 Door 3 Drawer Bedroom Armoire Closet by Nate Berkus + Jeremiah Brent
Don’t #4: Furniture with narrow grooves or textures.
At this point, this texture story seems like a broken record. But it’s clear that we can’t say enough. The early days, when you can’t wipe your hands properly and your curiosity about how the world (and slime) works is at an all-time high, is not the time to invest in fancy items like the nightstand pictured above.
I also wanted to feature this piece of furniture because so much of the furniture on the market today appears to have shiplap on the front with many small, narrow seams. That, or deep ridges and grooves. If you value your free time and home cleanliness, avoid, avoid, avoid. I can’t tell you how many times I got down on my hands and knees with a toothpick and a wet rag to clean a tiny line on the door of a storage cabinet in my living room. Again, I have kids who like to clean and don’t use markers or finger paint often.
What to do instead: Make the surface smooth and easy to clean.
What you need instead is a smooth surface. Flat panel front. Limited seams. Shiny enough to wipe away dirt. The matte finish attracts dirt and grime easily, so it helps if something oily gets splattered on it. Will you become cool in another 10 to 15 years? But for now, just go ahead and make your life easier. Even without a pointy-fronted media cabinet, your home will still remain beautiful.
From left: Rest easy nightstand with drawers | Mid-Century Modern Wooden Curio Cabinet Black Oak | Anders Media Console, 72 inches, walnut
Don’t #5: Upholstered or leather dining chairs
I still have the dining chair above. And thankfully they’re fine, except for the melted chocolate that was shoved in just this weekend to make the pretzel chocolate cobwebs. Shiny leather is one thing, but the ubiquitous raw matte leather looks so chic? Keep your dining chairs free of dirt. I hope the cleaning goes well. I didn’t use much leather cleaner on this particular leather finish. Again, my chair is in decent shape considering it’s at the perfect height for a new walker to grab and stabilize after just getting out of a bowl of strawberry Greek yogurt.
The same goes for upholstery. Can I clean it? Yeah, probably. Is it something you want to do or do you have time for? No, what should I get instead? I’m glad you asked…
Instead: Choose dining chairs made of wood or high-performance fabrics
There’s a theme here of the versatility of wood in homes with children. If comfort is your priority, you can always add a removable seat pad that can be cleaned or replaced in the worst case scenario. Oh, and just like in the world of sofas, there are performance fabrics as well. Dining chairs are less available than sofas, but you can still find them. Alternatively, you can have your chairs reupholstered by sourcing your own Sunbrella or Kryptonian fabrics, for example.
From left: Morton Dining Chair – Black | Petrie Burley Ash Mustard Upholstered Dining Chair with Performance Fabric | Merit oak dining chair
Don’t #6: Furniture on casters without locks.
See that little cabinet over there? Comes with cute casters?They don’t lock, so you can easily move them on wooden or tile floors. This is bad because when your child is young, they are not stable when learning to stand and walk. Furniture may move and fall over, or objects on top of it may fall. When you grow up, you will have different motivations. I still have this cabinet, and thankfully my kids are not interested in it, but that may not be the same truth for other kids or another family. The best option is furniture that is sturdy and does not move.
What to do instead: Secure furniture.
If you already have one on wheels or one that is not fixed, use this as an opportunity to get what you need and avoid regrets later. Dressers, cabinets, TVs that aren’t mounted on the wall… all of that makes sense when you consider safety. It goes without saying that heavy furniture, especially those with drawers or shelves, should be fixed to the wall, but it’s so important that I say it again. I have the one on the bottom right, and I like it because it hides in the shadows and the cable ties are removable/adjustable. That sense of security is irreplaceable.
From left: Hangman Black Furniture Anti-Tip Kit 400 lbs 1 Pack | TV and furniture safety straps | 4our Kids Furniture Straps (10 Pack) Baby Proof Anti-Tip Furniture Anchor Kit
Don’t #7: Paste wallpaper on the bottom half of the wall.
Unlike paint, wallpaper cannot be easily repaired. Crayons, markers, permanent markers::Ha!!!!::, and even scratches from tossed toys and cleaning marks from cars and trucks don’t mix well with expensive, delicate wallpaper. But don’t worry. It’s not all or nothing (see below).
Alternative: wallpaper over the chair rail (or satin wall paint)
My advice to anyone who wants a wallpaper color or pattern but is worried that kids will destroy it is to place the wallpaper in the top third of the wall, on top of the trim work or chair rail. That way you’ll be far removed from all the action, but still tick the boxes for your design needs.
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So, is there anything to add here? I’ve mentioned it and you want to refute my warnings? I’m all ears. Thank you for being here today. Until next time…
*Opening image credit: Design by Emily Henderson | Photo credit sarah ligoria trump |Source: Mountain House Reveal: How we designed a super kid-friendly family room
Source: Emily Henderson – stylebyemilyhenderson.com
