When it comes to our homes, we know that keeping them well maintained and looking good is key to their value. Whether you want to sell up or not, regular cleaning and maintenance is essential. Hygiene and safety are both important in the homes that we live in. But it’s also nice to live in a home that looks good, fresh and modern. So how do you get the best of both worlds?
The practicalities of your home are your first main concern. It’s no good choosing a minimalist design for a family of five! Instead, you might be looking for clever storage solutions, useful facilities, and a splash of colour for character. You might choose freestanding furniture, or build in the storage you need. It’s all a matter of personal preference.
Family homes tend to evolve rapidly as children grow from newborns to college students. Needs change, and the design of your house needs to change with it. A newborn will only require a small box room for a bedroom. But that box room is no good for a six-foot-tall teenager. Instead, you might knock through the wall to take some of the space of another room. You may also need additional storage like fitted wardrobes.
Children spend their early years making a mess. It’s good fun, and it’s part of their development. So how do you keep your house safe and in good condition with kids on the rampage? You might choose to get rid of the carpets now the children are no longer crawling. You might also choose to tile the bathroom fully. This helps to avoid damage from excessive bath time splashing! Cement tiles on your bathroom floor will add colour and protection to your floors from accidents and spills.
In the living room, fabric furniture may make way for leather sofas that are easy to wipe clean. And you may even invest in an oilcloth tablecloth to protect your beautiful dining table. Integrated storage solutions will securely hide all the kids toys away when you have grown up guests. And you might even landscape your garden so the kids have a level lawn for the trampoline.
You might find that you need to remodel parts of your house. Perhaps you want to fit in the additional appliances of convenience we need in family homes. A dishwasher, American fridge-freezer, tumble dryer and utility sink are all so useful in a busy family house. Integrated or built-in appliances mean you have no nooks and crannies to clean between them. And taking on a bit of remodelling is usually cheaper than having to move to a bigger place!
Have you ever tried to toilet train a child without a downstairs toilet? It’s not impossible, but cleaning carpeted stairs isn’t fun for anyone! Sometimes it is safer and more practical to make the changes as your family needs them. It’s often better than living in a home that is damaged and dirty looking. Don’t forget, they will all move out eventually, and you’ll get your beautiful home back!