As parents, we all try to give our children the best childhood we can. We look through home magazines and catalogs and see these amazing spaces for kids and we think, “I’d really like to have that for my kids!” My wife and I talk all the time about how it can be unfortunate for many families; it often takes years to build wealth, and by the time you can afford some of these luxuries, your kids are all grown up and moved out of the house. However, I think we can all give our kids special spaces, no matter our budget. It just takes a little creativity and imagination, which happen to be two things our kids can teach us a lot about.
In today’s environment, many families have either been forced to downsize or stay in a home that they have outgrown. One thing we know about kids, on the other hand, is that they don’t need a lot of space to have fun. Actually, it’s often the smallest spaces that offer coziness and childhood allure - bunked or lofted beds, for example, in shared bedrooms. There are many bunk beds to choose from, but you can customize them to make them even more fun. Close it in to make a faux tree house or add a staircase for easier access. Don’t let small spaces 
limit your creativity. I think it is a great idea to create your home around your children’s needs. If you’re renovating a bathroom that will be used by your children, why not lower the vanity or add a built-in stool? You could also use smaller toilets, low hooks for towels and perhaps a heated floor and recessed heat lamps for post-bath comfort. Just as experts suggest when baby-proofing your home, get down on their level to see how your home can better accommodate their needs. Even better, ask your kids for their ideas!
Recently, I’ve noticed families adding more whimsy to their children’s spaces. Tile mosaics, bright colored walls and even colorful granite are becoming more popular in kids’ bathrooms. Faux painted walls are often seen in kids’ bedrooms, and we have completed many playrooms with barn themes, beauty parlors and storefront clubhouses, allowing kids to pretend like they are running a business or shop. The possibilities are endless for how you can make your home more kid-inspired.
Having kids in the house can certainly create challenges in 
organization, but you can add some features to your home to solve these problems too. Can you add a laundry shoot to keep clutter out of bedrooms and dirty clothes localized to the laundry room? Do you have space at your entryway to add a “landing station” for shoes and backpacks? Maybe you have an unused room (like a dining room or office) that you can turn into a craft/homework room?
Don’t let your blueprints limit how you use the space in your home. Get rid of dead space and make it useful, practical and fun! I believe there is potential for this in every nook, cranny and corner of your home, you just have to find it and get creative.
Will McKendry, vice president of Andrew Roby Triangle, has extensive experience in custom home project management focusing on style and craftsmanship. For more information, visit our website at www.andrewroby.com or call 919-210-2928.