Last week, a reader popped into my DMs on Instagram to ask me if there was a reason they never saw us using what she called “natural fiber” rugs in our room reveals. I had to confirm what she meant by that, but I assumed she was referring to materials like seagrass and sisal. I couldn’t speak for the rest of the wonderful women on this website who design their spaces, but for me, it was simple: They are just not kid-friendly.
I say this from experience, as someone with a natural woven rug that, after nearly four years of existing with a child around it, looks like it came out of the employee lounge at the Play-Doh factory. “I’m looking for something neutral, soft, and child-friendly. You answered my question,” said the reader, after I told her I much prefer a wool rug with a thick pile or something washable.
But then I got to thinking. What else would I tell someone who has young kids or plans to have them soon to avoid buying? I sat in my living room looking around, taking mental notes of what works and what is less than ideal for my preschooler. Then, I moved around my house, space by space, tagging more notes in my brain. And here, I present to you my list of seven things that maybe just aren’t the best pick for curious little peanut butter hands. These all come with my typical caveat that none of this is make-or-break, of course (well, maybe with one as an exception). I had and have at least half of what’s detailed below, and we all survived, even if things are looking kind of scruffy around here. This is not a “throw it all away and start from scratch” situation by any means, but more of a good-to-know and tuck away in your mind for when you may be adding to your home’s design and furniture plan.
Don’t #1: Seagrass Or Sisal Rugs
Wow, my Lulu & Georgia rug, which was acquired many years before my daughter came around, was SO CLEAN at one point. Honestly, it stayed looking that good until about two years ago, when our living room became our playroom and our immobile baby turned into a creative toddler. With the exception of the time I spilled an ENTIRE glass of a green smoothie onto this rug and somehow managed to clean it all up without a trace, it has not fared as well since. Why? Because it’s made of this woven natural wool-sisal blend, and it’s nearly impossible to get anything off of it!
Here is exhibit one and two of a freshly vacuumed rug. You may THINK it needs a cleaning, but this IS it clean. Dot markers simply do not come off a rug of this material. Not with an upholstery cleaning machine, not with Folex (though it does work wonders on many other things), not with elbow grease and some prayer chants. Play-Doh and kinetic sand that you didn’t realize was already smooshed into all the fibers, then dried up before you could get around to it? Those don’t come out, either. My wool rug in the kitchen that has *seen things*? It’s doing great, with barely any battle wounds.
Do Instead: Wool Or Washable Rug
As I suggested to the reader who contacted me, I’ll suggest to you: Stick with a cut-pile wool or something washable if you’re okay with polyester. The reason I like a cut-pile wool rug over something woven is because that tight texture acts as a barrier against absorption. Whatever spills just sits on top, like water on a duck’s feathers, giving us enough time to act and wipe. Anything that’s been smooshed into it has also been very easy to clean with an all-purpose spray and a rag. I could never say the same for a seagrass rug.
As for washable rugs, I admit, I don’t love them because they aren’t something that is going to last you for decades (or centuries) like wool will, but they are a great “for now” solution for someone who wants to style and softness of a rug without the headache.
From Left: Pierce & Ward Deco Border Handwoven Wool Rug | Via Machine Washable Rug | Prism Handwoven Performance Rug
Don’t #2: Textured Or Light-Colored Fabric Sofa
I can’t imagine I have to do much explaining here on the light-colored part. Are there homes out there with white or beige sofas that co-exist with children? I bet there are. And before I became a mother, I’m absolutely certain I would have said something naive, such as “I’ll just teach my child not to dirty my furniture.” I have a fairly cautious, mindful child who is not destructive or takes joy in messing things up, and there is still plenty of proof of toddler life in most spots in my home. It’s just how it is, no matter how angelic you think your offspring will be. As for texture, it’s for the same reason I gave for the natural fiber rugs. Texture = crevices that collect everything, which makes it so difficult to properly clean.
Do Instead: Velvet Or Performance Fabric Upholstery
Boy, do I have a bone to pick with the internet, which constantly says velvet is a high-maintenance fabric that should be avoided. Sure, it’s not great for everyone, but I’ve only ever had positive experiences with cleaning up everything you can imagine on a dark blue velvet sofa. I do not have pets, but I also hear it’s a decent solution for anything clawed since it doesn’t have any loops to catch on nails.
In general, velvet or not, buy something in a performance fabric that will work with you, not against you, in a busy household. A slipcover is also great for washing yourself or letting the pros at the dry cleaner handle.
From Left: Oscar Sofa | Raffiné Sofa by Athena Calderone | Sloan Slipcovered Chaise Sectional
Don’t #3: Any Glass-Top or -Front Furniture
At my daughter’s six-month pediatrician’s appointment, we told her doctor that she was crawling and pulling herself up on furniture. I’ll never forget the first thing out of her mouth: “If you have any glass furniture—coffee tables, side tables, glass-front cabinets—get rid of them now.” It wasn’t a suggestion, it was a command. Newsflash: Babies and toddlers love to take their hard toys, or anything they can find for that matter, and bang them on any surface they can reach. Banging + glass isn’t a combination that should exist around a tiny human. Also, apart from safety, it’s just SO FREAKING LOUD. You will have enough audio stimulation, I promise. You will not be hoping for me. Stick to wood.
Do Instead: Wood Furniture
Bonus points for wood furniture with rounded edges, particularly in a room that gets a lot of foot traffic. Yes, you can add foam bumpers (we did) for the first year or two of their walking careers, but even after, they manage to rough-house, jump, and dance their way to injury somehow.
From Left: Panos Brown Solid Acacia Wood 51″ Oval Coffee Table | Pierce & Ward Wood Tiered Side Table (18″) | Voyage Natural 2-Door 3-Drawer Bedroom Armoire Closet By Nate Berkus + Jeremiah Brent
Don’t #4: Furniture With Narrow Grooves Or Texture
At this point, I sound like a broken record about this texture stuff. But clearly, I cannot say it enough. Those early years, when they can’t wipe their hands properly or their curiosity about how the world (and their slime) works is at an all-time high, is not when you should be investing in a gorgeous piece like the nightstand in the above photo.
I also wanted to bring this one up because so much furniture on the market today looks like it has shiplap on the front of it, with small, narrow seams multiple times over. That, or deep ridges and fluting. If you value your free time and the cleanliness of your home, avoid, avoid, avoid! I cannot tell you how many times I was on my hands and knees with a toothpick and a wet rag, cleaning out the tiny lines on my storage cabinet doors in my living room. And again, I have a kid who likes cleaning up and doesn’t go rogue with markers or finger paints often.
Do Instead: Smooth, Easily To Clean Surfaces
What you want instead is a smooth surface. Flat panel fronts. Limited seams. Enough sheen that things wipe off. Matte finishes are magnets to dirt and grime, and god help you if oily things splatter on it. You can be cool in another 10-15 years, okay? But for now, just go ahead and make your life easier. Your home is still going to be beautiful, even without that caned-front media cabinet.
From Left: Rest Easy Nightstand With Drawer | Mid Century Modern Wood Curio Cabinet Black Oak | Anders Media Console, 72″ in Walnut
Don’t #5: Upholstered Or Leather Dining Chairs
I still have those dining chairs above. And thankfully, they are doing okay, with the exception of the melted chocolate that was pressed into it just this weekend from making pretzel-chocolate spider webs. Shiny leather is one thing, but that raw, matte leather you see everywhere that looks so chic? Do not get that on your dining chairs because good luck cleaning them. I haven’t had much luck with leather cleaners for this specific finish of leather, and again, my chairs are in decent shape considering they are at the perfect height for a new walker to grab to steady themselves fresh off a bowl of strawberry Greek yogurt.
The same goes for fabric upholstery. Can it be cleaned? Yeah probably. Is that something you’ll want to do or have time to do? No. What should you get instead? Glad you asked…
Do Instead: Wood Or Performance Fabric Dining Chairs
There’s a theme here with the versatility of wood in a home with children. If you’re concerned with comfort, you can always add a removable seat pad that can be cleaned or swapped if worse comes to worst. Oh, and like in the sofa world, there’s also performance fabric. The offering is less wide in dining chairs than for couches, but you can find them. Or you can source your own Sunbrella or Crypton fabric, for instance, and get your chairs reupholstered.
From Left: Morton Dining Chair – Black | Petrie Barley Ash Mustard Upholstered Dining Chair with Performance Fabric | Merritt Oak Dining Chair
Don’t #6: Furniture on Casters That Don’t Lock
You see that little cabinet up there? With the cute casters? Those don’t lock, and on wood or tile floors, it’s so easy to move around. When your kid is young, this is a bad thing because it’s not stable as they learn to stand or walk. They can either topple over due to the furniture moving, or something on the top of it could fall over onto them, too. When they’re older, they’ll have different motivations. I still have this cabinet and thankfully, my kid has no interest in it, but that may not be the same truth for another kid that comes along or in a different family. Your best bet is sturdy, immovable furniture.
Do Instead: Furniture You Can Secure
If you already have something on casters or that hasn’t been secured, take this as your opportunity to get what you need, and don’t be sorry later. Dressers, cabinets, TVs not mounted to the wall…it’s all fair game for safety concerns. It *should* go without saying that any heavy furniture, especially anything with drawers or shelves that can be climbed, should be secured to the wall, but I’m saying it again because it’s immensely important. I have the ones on the bottom right and like them because you can’t really see them behind things, and the zip tie is removable/adjustable. That peace of mind is priceless.
From Left: Hangman Black Furniture Anti-Tip Kit 400 lb 1 pk | TV & Furniture Safety Straps | 4our Kiddies Furniture Straps (10 Pack) Baby Proofing Anti Tip Furniture Anchors Kit
Don’t #7: Wallpaper On The Lower Half Of Your Walls
Unlike paint, wallpaper can’t just be easily touched up. Crayons, markers, permanent markers ::gasps!!!!::, and even just all the scruff marks of thrown toys, and vrooming cars and trucks are not compatible with expensive, delicate wallpaper. But don’t worry, it’s not all or nothing (see below).
Do Instead: Wallpaper Above A Chair Rail (Or Just Satin Wall Paint)
My advice to anyone who wants the color and pattern of wallpaper but is stressed about a kid ruining it is to keep it on the top 1/3 of the wall, above trimwork or a chair rail. That way, it’s far more out of reach from all the action but still checks the boxes of your design needs.
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So, have anything to add here? Have something I mentioned but you’d like to refute my caution? I’m all ears. Thanks for being here today. Until next time…
*Opening Image Credits: Design by Emily Henderson | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Mountain House Reveal: How We Designed Our Super Kid-Friendly Family Room
View the original article and our Inspiration here
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