Leather Is A Great Choice In Your Decor

 

Are you tired of waiting for your children to grow up so you can finally let go of your tired, worn couch? Have a real dining room set? Or even lighter toned furnishings?

If you thought that having a family meant putting your decorating skills and ideas on the back burner then you just haven't been opening your eyes to the stylish ideas designers use to liven up their own homes and their client's homes, even with children (and pets) around!

CHOOSING MATERIALS

Choosing the right material can make all the difference when furnishing a home for a family.

Have you always loved leather? Well it's not only great for minor spills that are quickly wiped off, it also wears well, even gaining a beautiful patina with time and use. Leather does not collect pet hair as a cloth couch or chair would, and crumbs and dirt will wipe off easily.

If you prefer fabric upholstery, think of luxurious Ultrasuede. Sophisticated enough for even the most formal rooms, it looks belie the easy care of the material. You won't deal with fading or staining the way you are accustomed to with cotton, and many stains will come off quite easily with a damp cloth.

Do you have real ruffians running around? You can always count on slipcovers if you need to. Many decorators have used white or cream slipcovers to good effect, although you may consider a stripe or other pattern to disguise everyday wear. And because you can clean them thoroughly by removing them you do not have to be too concerned about occasional messes.

Slipcovers also work well on fancy dining room chairs and can be removed for adult-only dinner parties.

Try to stay away from delicate materials like silks or velvets which stain easily and are difficult to clean.

SAFE CHOICES

If you have small children you may also consider choosing soft furnishings, like ottomans, to replace hazards such as hard edged coffee tables.

Area rugs can be great for keeping light colored carpets in good shape, but be certain they rest flat so children are not prone to trip over them. Selecting heavy rugs or using a special padding underneath to reduce movement would be especially recommended when using rugs on hard, slippery surfaces.

When choosing wood furnishings, light or dark, be sure it has a protective clear coat so that marks and spills do not ruin the finish.

PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH THEIR OWN SPACE

Would your children really mind an 'adult' space in the home? If you make most of the home child-friendly, then it is not outside of reason to create one area specifically for adult entertaining or relaxing. Giving children a small area within the adult room where they can read books or sit at a small table for quiet games will teach them to respect and take care of nice things. This, along with making reasonable choices for the rest of the home, allows all in the family to enjoy their surroundings and each other.

About The Author

Sintilia Miecevole, Host of http://www.wowleather.com loves interior decorating and leather. This fabulous site has everything from furniture, clothing, repairs, suppliers and wholesale to dyes and custom leather. Log on to http://www.wowleather.com and enjoy!

 Sintilia Miecevole

More Articles 

Nudge Up Your Property Value - Kirsten Hawkins
First impressions make a big difference, and selling your home is no exception. Sometimes big repairs and major renovations just aren't in the budget, but when it comes time to sell your home, you naturally want to get the best price possible. There...

Lawn Mower Parts Overview - Andrew Caxton
If you are one of those who works usually with lawnmowers, then you probably already know the big importance that lawn mower parts have. No matter what model of machine you drive, it will need some parts replacement after some years of use. Even the...

Irrigation Installation & Maintenance Time Savers - Jack Stone
Irrigation Installation & Maintenance Time Savers Article by Jack Stone Copyright © 2003 by ProGardenBiz ProGardenBiz, an online magazine http://www.progardenbiz.com Over the last few years some clever people have come up with some clever ideas to...

Control Snakes in the Garden - Marilyn Pokorney
REQUIREMENTS FOR REPRINT: You have permission to publish this article free of charge in your e-zine, newsletter, ebook, print publication or on your website ONLY if it remains unchanged and you include the copyright and author information (Resource...

Using the Right Hedge Trimmers in Lawn Care - Kevin Whiteside
Certain hedge trimmers are better for particular applications. That is why we need to chose the right one. Types of gas hedge trimmers discussed are.. * Single sided * Double sided * Pole or Extension Single sided hedge trimmers are...

Do-It-Yourself Foundation Repair - Ken Marlborough
This article provides useful, detailed information about Do-It-Yourself Foundation Repair. Calling contractors to have your house repaired means footing huge bills -- not to mention the inconvenience of having...

Getting A Home Inspection - Jennifer Hershey
If you are in the process of purchasing a new home, it will definitely be in your best interest to have a home inspection done. Not only will you want to have a home inspection done for your own sake, and peace of mind. But most lenders will...

How To Buy A Portable Hot Tub or Home Spa - Julie Ann Amos
When you first decide to buy a portable hot tub or home spa, you will be faced with a dizzying array of features, specifications, designs and accessories. It can be quite daunting to research all of these possibilities and determine the best...

Preparing Your Home for Sale: Make Repairs - Roselind Hejl
Before a buyer considers your home seriously, it must meet his needs in a variety of ways. It must be a suitable commuting distance, neighborhood, design style, floorplan, size, number of bedrooms, etc. If all or most of these needs are met, the...

How much difference do Bathroom Faucets make? - Denton Lesslie
When choosing a faucet for your bathroom. Consider the rest of the bathroom. We have all seen the TV commercial about the client choosing a bathroom faucet and asking the architect to design a house around it. Yeah right! There are some great...