As a stay at home mom, I have struggled with ways in which to keep my home looking and feeling nice, while still being a fun place for the kids. I have a tendency to let my type-A personality get the best of me. With two kids, four animals, and the fact that we are home a majority of the time, it is simply NOT possible to have things perfect all of the time.
Growing up with divorced parents, I primarily lived with my Mom, where things were always nice and tidy but there was always a place for me to bust out my barbies, paint a masterpiece, build a puppet show theater, etc. At my dad’s, my freedom to play was not so welcome. His house was set up like a museum and I was always afraid to play and be myself. I felt the status of his house and the “things” within would always be a priority over me and my ability to enjoy my time there.
The latter situation is DEFINITELY NOT the environment I want my children to grow up in.
But as I get older, I find myself challenged by the want to be more like my mom and the instinct to be like my dad.
Is anal retentiveness genetic or a learned behavior? Either way, I knew I needed to find a balance.
Whether you are a SAHM, WAHM, or a mom who works outside the house, you work HARD all of the time. The work day doesn’t end at 5pm and most days we’re on the clock 24/7. But that doesn’t mean we can’t create and enjoy a space that feels “adult,” yet still is accommodating to our kids.
With that said, here are 4 ways to make your home a fun and welcoming place for kids, without sacrificing the mature sanctuary you deserve at the end of a long day.
#1 The ever-so-trendy chalk board wall. Look out whiteboards, chalk is in and it’s not just for sidewalks any more. Thanks to DIY sites like Pinterest, chalk paint is the new go to addition when adding some fun flare to your home. The good news is that you don’t have to hide it in the playroom. A chalk wall is an awesome, modern addition to any open wall space in the house. And what’s even better is that it’s a fairly inexpensive project to execute. We added a large rectangle chalk space to an oversized open wall in our kitchen, created a border with some cheap wood, and my 4 year old couldn’t be happier. Now, while I am cooking dinner, I can keep her entertained and be a part of her fun. We constantly have new art work to look at and the best part is that adults love it too! It’s fun for all ages, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to clean up after use!
#2 Craft Corner. We have a section 
in the main part of our home that I devote to all of my daughter’s arts and crafts. We have accumulated A LOT of craft supplies over the years and it used to be a huge ordeal for me to get all of her required components out of different boxes in the garage, her closet, etc. She likes to have craft time at least once a day, so when my son was born and I had limited time and ability to use both of my hands, I knew our set up had to change. I took a few hours, cleaned, labeled, and organized all of her art stuff into containers and drawers that we already happened to have in the garage (but were not getting proper use), and now “craft corner” is a part of our living/dining area.
#3 Master the art of disguise. I’ve started using decorative storage bins and nooks within my living room furniture to keep a variety of the kid’s toys. We spend a lot of time in our living room and this makes it easy for the kids to play without having to constantly lug toys back and forth from their rooms. The best part is that it makes for super quick clean up and keeps the room looking clutter free and fashion forward.
#4 Make the kid’s rooms a place they WANT to be. We 
recently painted each wall in my daughter’s room a different color because she wanted to feel like she was in a rainbow. Although hesitant at first, I could not be happier with the result. We let her pick the colors for each wall and gave her a voice when re-arranging her toys, pictures, and furniture. She now spends a lot more time playing in her room because she loves it so much and feels it is truly “her” space in the house.
What tricks do you use to keep a sense of organization and maturity in your home?
Awesome post!
What a great topic to share! I immediately clicked on your post when I saw it, as creating a kid AND adult friendly space in a smaller home is something I’ve been working hard at and am always interested in finding new possibilities! Love the chalkboard wall in the kitchen. It never fails when Mom is in the kitchen….the kiddos follow. I’ve recently given my daughter some (kid-friendly) magnets that I had at home. The square kind that you might get as a souvenir with a picture of where you visited. She absolutely loves looking at the pictures, “talking” about them (she’s 1) and putting them on and taking them off the fridge. Best way ever to allow Mama to get a meal started!!
We’ve also added a ladder shelf in the living room that hosts baskets and bins of all her toys. Similar to how you used your living room furniture!
Thanks again for sharing!