Are you about to build a new home and wondering how you can make it as functional for your family needs as possible? Perhaps you’re a young couple yet to start a family and want to create a home that will suit your needs into the future. Or maybe you’re on the other side of the spectrum, about to build your dream home and need it to meet all your family requirements. Well if there’s one thing Gina regrets when she built her home, it’s that she didn’t think enough about design inclusions to make it family centric!
So in this article we’re sharing tips on designing a family-friendly home, with all our favourite design inclusions to make your new abode as family oriented and kid friendly as possible! These are all parent-approved design features to meet your lifestyle needs — both now and into the future.
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1. Children’s play area or living space
If space and budget allows, having a dedicated space for your children is number 1 on our list of design inclusions for a family friendly home! Whether you have young children and want to keep the sea of kids toys contained, or teens who like their own space to chill with friends, having a room just for them will keep your kids (and YOU!) happy.
Without a dedicated play or living area for your children, you may find everyday is a bit more of a challenge as you’re constantly having to tidy main living areas. And while you may come up with a creative solution, like Gina did when she created a cubby under her staircase, these often aren’t ideal. Carving out a dedicated play area keeps kids entertained while maintaining an organised home.
Interior designer tip: we suggest locating this room off the kitchen. That way parents can cook while keeping an eye on children, which enhances family connection and allows busy parents to multi-task! As your children get older, this play room could be converted into an at-home theatre or gaming room and they’ll appreciate the close proximity to snacks in the kitchen, ha ha. Also consider adding a sliding or barn door. This helps to reduce noise transfer and when guests come over, you can simply close the area off and hide the mess!
2. Built-in storage everywhere
With families comes stuff… and a lot of it! No matter how much decluttering and home organisation you do, an essential design inclusion for families is built-in storage.
Best built-in storage for family homes:
- wardrobe in every bedroom
- mud-room or drop zone for school bags near the entry or garage
- large pantry or butler’s pantry
- in-built bookshelf or media unit in the living room
- laundry cupboards and pull-out washing baskets
- hallway cupboards for linen
- under-stair storage.
In our opinion, there’s no such thing as too much storage in a family home. Storage is essential to keeping your home organised, and built-in storage solutions like custom cabinetry, shelving, and storage benches can make everyday tidying easier. Floor-to-ceiling cupboards or under-stair storage are perfect for hiding clutter. This seamless approach to storage keeps rooms looking sleek while ensuring everything has a place.
3. Family-friendly kitchen design
The kitchen is the heart of the home and this is especially true in a family home. Before getting swept up in beautiful materials and finishes when designing your new kitchen, we suggest starting with your practical needs. Form follows function is a design rule for a reason and we cover the best kitchen design inclusions for families.
Family-friendly kitchen design inclusions:
- plenty of storage (as mentioned above 😉 ) but with a focus on deep pull-out drawers. Drawers allow you to maximise space as they bring your contents out, making everything more accessible. Also consider adding some smart kitchen storage inclusions, such as pull-out corner cupboards and multiple pull-out bins so you can sort your general waste from recycling, and possibly compost too!
- extra large island bench. In family homes, the kitchen bench is often where children eat breakfast, do their homework, make slime (gah, we hate the stuff) and do a million other daily activities. It pays off to have an extra large kitchen island where you can do these things with ease. And it won’t just be your kids who are thankful for the extra bench space, you’ll love it when entertaining guests or making pizza at home
- butler’s pantry. Store everything from food to appliances, party supplies and more. Having a large butler’s pantry will help you to keep your kitchen clean and clutter free
- double bowl kitchen sink. This one is self explanatory but having a large kitchen sink is a game-changer and you’ll never go back
- pull-out kitchen tap. Similarly, a kitchen mixer with a pull-out spray function will make washing up dishes easier
- pot filler. Popular in America, pot fillers (aka a tap from your splashback behind your cooktop) is another little luxury that can make everyday cooking easier
- pull out spice rack. We share all the best ideas to store your spices in this article
- double ovens. If budget and space allows, a second oven is a family friendly kitchen inclusion!
Interior designer tip: don’t forget to add things like soft-close drawers and cupboards to prevent injuries and also constant loud banging. Also take your time to select durable materials that are easy to clean and won’t show fingerprints!
4. Design for safety
This one is less of a design inclusion and more about a design approach. Creating a home that’s safe doesn’t just offer peace of mind while you’re living there, it can also increase the value of your home come sale time as it appeals to prospective buyers too. It’s also important to note that everyone benefits from a safer home, from babies and toddlers through to elderly grandparents!
How to make your home safer for families:
- use non-slip flooring in high-traffic areas
- opt for rounded corners, such as corners of joinery
- add secure locks to windows
- good lighting and motion sensors.
5. Outdoor spaces
We always think it’s a shame when new builds take up the entire block and there’s almost no room for an outdoor area! In Australia, we’re lucky enough to have weather that’s ideal for outdoor living. Consider your block size and your family needs to come up with a design that allows you to make the most of your outdoor spaces.
Outdoor living zones for families:
- outdoor kids play area, including soft grass, play equipment and sandpit
- fire pit zone
- outdoor kitchen
- pool area
- outdoor living space
- alfresco dining area
- grassed area for general relaxation or at-home backyard movie nights.
Outdoor areas are perfect for family gatherings, playtime, and relaxation. These are just some ideas of the types of zones you could include into your design plans. Of course, you should tailor your design to suit your family needs now while keeping in mind how they may use the space into the future. For example, the kids play area Gina created for her children was a hit for years but now they’ve grown and prefer to ride a kids electric scooter in the driveway so perhaps a path around the perimeter of your home is a good idea 😉
6. Multi-functional mudroom
Once the kids are finished playing outdoors, you’ll thank yourself for adding a mudroom to your home. This family-friendly home design inclusion keeps shoes, coats, and bags in one place, reducing clutter in the rest of the home. It also helps prevent the spread of dirt and mess throughout your home.
We’ve got plenty of mudroom design ideas to inspire you. Our best tips are to add benches, cubbies, and hooks for each family member to keep the area tidy and organised.
7. Larger laundry room
A spacious laundry room can make a big difference for busy families. Include ample bench space for folding clothes, hanging racks for delicates, and plenty of storage for detergents and cleaning supplies. Adding a laundry chute from upper floors can also save time and effort when gathering clothes.
Check out this ultimate design guide to consider every detail for the perfect laundry.
8. Durable, kid-friendly materials
Another design approach rather than design inclusion is to choose durable materials that will stands the test of time. Do you need painted plaster walls throughout or would some brick walls in high traffic areas be more practical?
Before you lock in your materials palette, we suggest doing your research. Check how stain resistant or scratch resistant particular materials are. Can you machine wash your curtains or are they prone to shrinking? The more you select materials that are easy to clean and can withstand wear and tear, the more you’ll thank yourself… and the easier it will be to maintain the aesthetic of your home.
Interior designer tip: also consider the sound absorption of the materials you select. Opting for double glazed windows, acoustic panels and thick carpets can reduce noise transfer between rooms, creating a more peaceful environment.
9. Tech-friendly throughout
With modern technology playing a big role in family life, smart homes are more important than ever. Incorporate tech solutions such as USB charging points, smart lighting, and home automation systems. These are especially important in a media room or study nook but we suggest incorporating them throughout your home to support your family’s tech needs.
10. Energy efficiency
Finally, with the high cost of living these days we also suggest making your family friendly home as energy-efficient as possible. An energy efficient home isn’t just good for your wallet, it’s also better for the environment. Consider inclusions like solar panels, energy-efficient appliances and proper insulation. A home that adopts the principles of passive design will also be more energy efficient and lead architect from The Mill explains what it is and how it can save you money.
We hope this list of design inclusions when designing a family-friendly home helps you create your dream abode. Do you have more tips to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below. And once you’ve finished your build, don’t forget to decorate your home with personalised decor to make it feel warm, welcoming and uniquely yours!
