With kids comes adventure, excitement, happiness and, of course, a little chaos. It’s for all the reasons above that most parents want a home that will keep up with the everyday demands of a busy family. By selecting the right features and materials, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing your new home has you covered. Here are a few ideas on what to include for the ultimate kid-friendly (and tolerant!) home: 

1. Kid-Friendly Kitchen 

Kids love to eat and share meals with their families but this means a frequently used kitchen followed by frequent messes. While you don’t have to centre your entire kitchen around your kids, having a few kid-friendly features is a definite problem-solver. Think about durability and functionality. 

For example, quartz countertops are extremely tough, scratch-resistant and easy to clean. You can take a look at this counter-top guide to investigate more options. A walk-through pantry will make putting away groceries easy and provide extra storage. You may also want to consider keeping the kitchen open to the dining and living areas, so you can keep an eye on them while you’re cooking. 

2. Outdoor Space

If there’s one thing most of us remember from being a kid, is time spent outdoors. Whether it’s close proximity to parks or green spaces, having some outdoor space is exactly the kind of thing your kids will crave. Another option is ensuring you have a family-friendly backyard. For example, you may include some designated patio space for adults to visit – overlooking a play area for the kids. Take a look at these kid-friendly backyard DIY ideas for some further inspiration. Also, a lot of homes offer backyards where you can watch your kids from inside the home! 

3. Built in Storage 

People don’t often think about how much storage they’ll need as their children grow.  Between toys, clothes, sports gear and other items, kids can accumulate a lot of stuff. It’s always a safe bet to factor in extra storage for your new home. Not only will it give your kids a designated place to put their things, it also ensures your home doesn’t get engulfed by stuff.  Overall, this will make you both happy when it comes to keeping a tidy house.  

4. Flooring

Kids and pets are tough on floors so you’ll want to consider something scratch resistant that’s able to withstand a little wear and tear. You’ll also want something low-maintenance in terms of cleaning. For these reasons, you may want to think about laminate or luxury vinyl. They offer a diverse range of looks to suit your style, they’re affordable and easy to keep up. 

Carpeting is also a welcome addition, especially as a soft spot for the kids to play such as bedrooms, the great room, bonus room or basement. You can talk to your builder about durable carpeting options that are spill-resistant, yet soft. 

5. Mudrooms

When you’re trying to get the family ready in the morning, the last thing you need is a chaotic exit. Mudrooms give families a specific space for all those items that tend to become scattered in the hustle and bustle. In addition to designated hanging spaces for coats and bags, it’s ideal to have a bench to sit on for shoe tying as well as cubbies for mittens, hats and other items. A good builder will work with you to create a mudroom that’s sure to make the morning rush a breeze. 

6. Tile

This is an afterthought for many people with children but it can save you hours scrubbing walls in the bathroom or the kitchen backsplash. Tile is known for making messes easier to clean and makes for a durable addition to front and rear entryways and bathrooms. Tile flooring overall is also a great option if you’re looking for a low-maintenance alternative to hardwood. 

7. Room For Growth

Whether this means having more kids or giving your current ones more space, it’s important to think about how your home will fare throughout the years. As your child gets older they may want a bedroom in the basement, or their own bathroom. Having a finished basement can solve this problem fairly easily. Room for growth covers everything, like will your baby want a specific play space once they’re a little older? If you factor this in ahead of time, you’ll be able to get the most out of your home for many years to come. 

Consider the above features when looking for your next home. Not only will these features make your home functional for the whole family, but they’re sure to keep it well organized and looking great. Remember, a good builder will be more than happy to accommodate your family’s unique needs.

Photo credits: home, mother & child, children