NEW YORK, NY – When it comes to interior decorating, style and children don’t always mesh well. But that doesn’t mean parents should toss out the trendy design magazines. It’s still possible to maintain a modern, stylish home while raising small children.

By selecting colors, fabrics and furniture that will withstand the attention and activities of toddlers, you can ensure that your home is chic yet child-friendly.

Here are some helpful tips to creating a swanky and safe house ideal for the entire family.

Contemporary Colors.  Where there are children, there are spills and stains. So consider using darker fabrics, carpet and paint hues that are more likely to conceal blemishes.  And when it comes to the shade of your tyke’s bedroom, stick with happy, calming colors or painted wall borders.  If truly artistic, pick a theme – whether it involves ladybugs, spaceships or Winnie the Pooh – and decorate the room around it.

Fashionable Furniture.  Safety comes first, at least in terms of selecting furniture for a home with children.  That means no artsy, glass-top coffee tables or sharp-cornered desks.  Instead, pick plush, low-seated sofas and wooden furniture with rounded edges.  Furniture with built-in storage space for games, toys and books is also useful.  To spice things up, add colorful accents such as throw pillows and slipcovers.

Artsy Arrangement.  All furniture should be arranged with your children in mind. A stylish but comfortable rug might help cushion falls and prevent injury. In addition, place furniture far away from kitchen and bathroom counters, as well as out of the reach of windows or shelves bearing photographs, candles or expensive knick-knacks such as family heirlooms and china. Make sure all furniture is sturdy and will not fall should a child attempt to climb up.

Whimsical Windows. Windows make for great design opportunities in any room. For a more contemporary look, coordinate blinds with curtains in bright colors and soft fabrics to complement the room’s décor.  Cordless coverings are the only choice to help ensure your baby’s safety.  They also create a clean, aesthetically pleasing look.

###

 The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings dedicated to educating consumers about window cord safety. The Council also assists and supports its members in the industry’s ongoing efforts to encourage the use of cordless products in homes with young children, its redesign of corded products, and its support of the national ANSI/WCMA standard for corded window coverings.  WCSC’s activities in no way constitute an assumption of any legal duty owed by its members or any other entity.