At Albertsson Hansen Architecture and Interior Design, we believe that a home is a setting for connection, a backdrop to daily life, and a reflection of who lives there. And for many of our clients, that includes not just the adults, but children, pets, and the layered, beautiful rhythm of family life.
Designing a home that welcomes both kids and pets isn’t about compromise; it’s about intention. It’s about crafting spaces that are both durable and elegant, functional yet inspiring, and timeless yet infused with play. With every project, we ask not just what will look beautiful, but how the space will feel to live in (day in and day out) for every member of the family.
Whether you’re raising toddlers, training a puppy, or building a forever home with generations in mind, here are our guiding principles for designing spaces that honor family, freedom, and the joy of daily life.
Building for Real Life: Durable Materials with Character
Children and pets have a magical ability to bring joy, curiosity, and mess into our homes. One of the most foundational decisions in family-friendly design is choosing materials that can handle life’s inevitable wear and tear while aging gracefully. Flooring is often the first to show signs of family life. We often recommend:
- We love wide-plank hardwood options with a matte or oiled finish; it’s more forgiving with scuffs and scratches and has a warm, lived-in feel.
- Natural stone or honed slate in entries and mudrooms adds texture and can handle muddy boots and wet paws with ease.
- Wool rugs are soft, cozy, and surprisingly stain-resistant. A classic choice that’s kid and pet-approved.
These materials aren’t just practical, they tell a story. A scratch from a race to the dinner table, a smudge from cookie-making fingers, the soft wear that comes from years of barefoot mornings. They age with your family, and that’s part of the beauty.
Thoughtful Layouts for the Rhythm of Family Life
Good architecture honors the patterns of daily life. When designing for children and pets, we consider the different zones of a home not just by function, but by energy level. Some parts of a home just work a little harder, and when you’ve got kids or pets in the mix, thoughtful design in those high-traffic areas can make all the difference.
Take the mudroom, for example. It’s more than a drop zone, it’s the daily launchpad. With easy-to-clean flooring, built-in cubbies, and hooks at kid level, everything has a place (including backpacks, muddy boots, and leashes). Add a dog wash station, and suddenly post-walk cleanups don’t feel like such a chore.
The kitchen often becomes the heart of the home, and not just for meals. It’s where homework gets done at the island while dinner simmers, where toddlers explore the Tupperware drawer, and where conversations unfold between the chaos. Open layouts and smart storage turn it into a space that can multitask right along with you.
And then there are the quiet corners, those tucked-away spots that invite a moment of pause. A built-in reading nook under the stairs, a cozy window seat, or a play alcove just off the main living area. These are the places where kids curl up with books, pets nap in the sun, and everyone gets a breather.
By blending zones for movement with spaces for calm, we’re not just designing homes that look beautiful; we’re creating spaces that feel balanced, even when life gets a little hectic.
Safety is Beautiful
Designing for kids and pets doesn’t mean adding plastic gates and barriers. It means integrating safety into the very bones of the design.
We consider:
- Rounded corners on built-ins and furniture.
- Gates that match stair railings in form and material.
- Built-in baby and pet proofing solutions that can be hidden when no longer needed.
- Non-toxic finishes and materials.
- Secure outdoor spaces with fencing that blends into the landscape.
- Pet feeding stations that are integrated into kitchen cabinetry and not underfoot.
Safety, at its best, should feel invisible, woven into the architecture itself.
Storage that Grows With You
Clutter is a natural byproduct of family life. The key is to give every item a home, with built-in flexibility for changing needs.
Some of our favorite solutions include:
- Deep drawers in the living room for toys or blankets that can quickly disappear before company arrives.
- Window seat storage in kids’ bedrooms.
- Pet drawers that hide food bowls or leashes when not in use.
- And as kids grow, these storage solutions evolve. What once held board books and blocks might later house art supplies or science kits.
Timeless design doesn’t mean fixed in time; it means being built for change.
Designing With You
At the heart of our work is partnership. We don’t design for our clients, we design with them. When families come to us with visions of homes that feel alive with energy, laughter, and sometimes muddy paws, we listen deeply.
From the first conversation to move-in day, we’re by your side helping shape a home that reflects your family’s story and stands the test of time.