How to Create a Kid-Friendly Dining Room

Whether you have just moved into your new home or you’re getting ready to welcome a new arrival to the family, you might have found yourself wondering what to do with the dining room. Usually, they are areas of the home where practicality meets style, and many of us try to create an elegant dining area perfect for dinner parties and special occasions. But what about child-proofing the dining room?

If you’re looking for inspiration and ideas on how to create a kid-friendly dining room, then you have come to the right place. At Noa & Nani, we believe that style shouldn’t have to compromise for a child-friendly home. This is why we have pulled together all of our best tips and ideas to help you create your dream dining space that is stylish, practical and caters to your children too!

Choose Durable Materials

Before diving into buying dining room furniture, take the time to make sure you’re looking for durable materials that are going to withstand wear and tear. Start by setting your sights on a pine dining set rather than upholstered dining chairs that may easily stain. Add comfort with removable seat cushions that match your home style that you can easily remove and throw in the washing machine after particularly messy mealtimes. Similarly, protect the top of your pine table with the simple addition of a tablecloth to prevent any cutlery scratches or dings.

For an on-trend style that will eliminate the amount of furniture in your dining room, why not choose a dining bench over a couple of chairs? A sturdy dining bench will put a stop to tiny hands dragging chairs across the floor and leaving behind marks and scratches.

Lay a Comfortable Base with a Stylish Rug

A stylish rug can tie a whole room together and will elevate the space, but they are also very practical, especially when making a room child-friendly. Choose a large woven rug for ultimate practicality that will withstand many little feet running circles around the room. When placed directly under the dining table, a rug will also catch all of the crumbs younger children are guaranteed to leave behind after every meal. Simply shake it out or vacuum; just remember to choose a rug that is tightly woven to avoid spillages between the weaves!

Take Advantage of an Elegant Sideboard

When shopping for decor for your dining room, it is impossible to ignore the lure of stylish drinks trolleys or open-top bars that are decorated with stunning glassware and twinkling lights. But if you have small children running around, this may be the last thing you want to incorporate into your dining room. That doesn’t mean that the room needs to be boring and plain. Instead, choose an elegant side cabinet that opens up the possibility for further decoration as well as being a practical storage solution. Fill your sideboard with cookbooks, spare dining ware, or even board games for entertaining. Store more precious items in cabinets higher up and out of the way from curious hands, including glasses and special ornaments you want to be looked at but not touched.

After all, out of sight, out of mind!

Switch Out China for Melamine

We’re not suggesting that you throw away all of your beautiful china and pottery, but consider making a simple change for everyday meals. By adding a pretty melamine dining ware set to your collection, you can trust there will be no accidental breaks or smashes at mealtimes. Plus, it also means that you can leave your table set up during the day without fear of the plates or bowls being knocked off of the table and broken. This also gives you the freedom to get younger children helping and involved in setting the table before lunch and dinner, allowing them freedom and independence.

Melamine has grown in popularity exponentially in recent years, so you are sure to find an on-trend to match your decor that you will fall in love with!

Decorate for the Whole Family

Finally, moving away from the strictly practical dining room ideas, consider how you can decorate your dining room for the whole family to enjoy. Display family photos and art on the walls to create an inclusive space that everyone will want to be enveloped in. Walking the line between stylish prints and photography and bright and bold children’s artworks blends the worlds to create a dynamic style that family, friends and guests will all enjoy.

If you’re looking for a way to keep children entertained and involved in the dining experience, then why not implement some designated children’s fun zones cleverly blended with your decor? If you love dark tones or a monochrome style, incorporate chalk paint on the lower walls and allow children to get creative by making menu boards or adding seasonal drawings. When wiped clean, guests will be none the wiser!