When building a new home for you and your family, it’s important to create a space that’s child-friendly and beautiful. And even if you plan on making your new place your “forever home,” you definitely want your space to function even after the kids grow up. Fortunately, good architects and builders can help you design a home that works now and in the coming decades. Talk with your home-design team about incorporating the following elements into your home, and enjoy building a dream space that meets everyone’s needs.

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Storage, storage, and more storage: The key to keeping kid-centered spaces neat and functional is providing plenty of storage that can contain a variety of kid memorabilia— from the trains and blocks of toddlerhood to hockey sticks and high school art projects. Built-in shelving and closet space is key for keeping your home timeless and organized, and still looks beautiful long after the kids leave the nest.Create flexible bonus spaces: While open-concept building plans are great for creating functional common areas, it’s important to designate some square footage as “kid only”spaces that can change in purpose over time. Playrooms can transition into study spaces or multimedia rooms, and kids thrive in homes with specially allocated spaces for play and relaxation. And when kid-friendly spaces are no longer needed, the former playroom can easily become a guest room, home office, or gym.Invest in indoor-outdoor living spaces: No matter how cool the playroom is, kids still like spending time wherever the grown-ups are. This makes indoor-outdoor living spaces ideal: kids feel free to play outside and explore since adults and older siblings are always nearby. Talk with your architect about designing an outdoor kitchen and dining area, or an open-concept sunroom that offers a great view your kid’s backyard adventures.Bathrooms that actually increase home value: From double-sink vanities to a Jack-and-Jill bathroom between bedrooms, spending a little extra time and money to create kid-friendly bathrooms not only gives everyone enough space to get ready in the morning, it actually increases the value of your home. The double vanity in your kid’s bedroom might become the perfect his-and-her vanity for future owners living with aging parents, or future owners with kids of their own. Adding an additional pocket bathroom or a three-quarter bath is another great way to make your home functional kid-friendly.Ready to start building the perfect family home? Check out our online estimator for a free cost analysis of your project, and contact us today for help finding the architects, contractors, and builders with the experience and expertise you need to make your next home truly special.