How to Decorate using White with Kids and Pets

*This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read more about my disclosure policy.

If I had a dime for every time I get asked or told, “How do you have so much white in your house with kids,” or “You must not have children or pets,” I would be a millionaire! The reality is, I do have children- 5 of them and one cute little puppy and yes a whole lot of white decor! Today, I am sharing my secrets and tips to having light colored furniture, paint and decor while still raising busy children and playful pets!

You can have white or lighter colors in your home with kids! It is totally possible! Anything is possible if you are willing to work to get what you really want!

Here are a few tips that work at our house…

How to Decorate using White with Kids and Pets

1. Choose washable paint

Let’s start with the largest surface in your home – the walls! White walls are at the top of home owner’s wish lists in the decor world. Make sure you choose a paint that is washable! For example, an eggshell sheen is not as washer friendly compared to say a semi gloss or satin finish. White paint will show finger prints and whatever else your little ones manage to smear on them!

Make sure your paint can handle a good wipe down! I love our creamy white paint in our downstairs. It is Ralph Lauren’s Edwardian linen (mixed by Dunn Edwards) in a satin sheen. It wipes off beautifully and makes our home feel light and bright while remaining warm and inviting. To wipe spots off my walls, I like to use a damp cloth with a little bit of comet on it or a magic eraser.

Our staircase and upstairs family room are painted a bright white (Dunn Edwards base paint with no tint added in a semi gloss sheen). This finish is a little more shiny, but it is even more durable to washing and wiping!

2. Purchase Furniture with Indestructible Fabric

Remember when Grandma would wrap her light colored furniture in plastic to protect it?! Fabrics have come a LONG way! You can now choose from products like Crypton, Sunbrella Performance and Perennial, for virtual indestructible fabrics options.

Our sofa look like they are white, but they are really a pale gray. They have an awesome texture that helps with  everyday wear. The fabric is Crypton and it is amazing!  You can basically pour bleach on it and it will just bead up! You can find these durable fabric options at most furniture stores. Their ticket price will be more, but you will not regret your choice for one minute. The first time that Gatorade spills or the dog has an accident, you will be smiling instead of crying! Our sofas were custom made but I have some similar options sourced for you below.

You can read more about creating a family friendly family room here.

If your budget doesn’t allow for those types of fabric, you can Scotch Guard your furniture yourself! Or if you have leather sofas and don’t want to spend the money to switch them out to something lighter, choose accessories that are lighter in color to achieve that airy look and feel.

In the kitchen, think of seating options that do not have fabric. Try looking for chairs and counter stools that are leather or some other material. This will allow you to wipe them clean with ease! Here are some of my favorite non fabric chairs and stools…

3. Select Washable Pillows and Throws

Most of the pillows and throws in our home are light in color. Lighter colors are so soothing and peaceful to me. In order to keep them looking “nice”, I make sure to select pillow and throws that have a zipper closure and are machine washable!

Washable is key! With children and pets, things are going to get soiled! You can sometimes control what your own kiddos do, but not the neighbor’s or anyone else’s! So if you want to keep your white or light pillows and throws looking great, buy ones that can be thrown in the wash!

If you find a pillow you are so in love with you may cause bodily harm to the offender who stains it, buy an extra one and keep it tucked away just in case!

I also have a stain remover spray that I love to use when accidents happen.

Below are some of the washable pillows and throw we have in our home…

4. Vacuum Regularly

Regular vacuuming is the most important thing you can do to keep your furniture, rugs and other surfaces clean! The dirt and dust that gets tracked into our homes gets all over our furnishings. I suggest a quick vacuum daily of the highest traffic areas in your home. It will only take you a few minute, but will extend the life of your rugs and furniture!

Start a vacuuming routine for yourself to include all of your flooring and furniture. Here is my schedule in case it helps you…

Daily – All wood downstairs

Three Times a Week – High Traffic Area Rugs

Once a Week  – Bedrooms

Once a Month {or longer} – Sofas and Arm Chairs

For my wood floors I use this vacuum. I LOVE it so so so much! The kids love to use it too. I never use a broom unless the pieces are too large to be vacuumed up. This vacuum goes under furniture, is light weight and has a long battery life. It makes vacuuming fun!

I like to use this heavier duty vacuum on my carpets and area rugs. It tends to suck up more dirt.

5. Say Yes!

Kids just want to have fun! Find ways to say “yes” to them instead of “no, no no!” For example, yes you can play ball in the house – just please use this soft nerf ball. Organize toys you are ok with them playing with in your living spaces in stylish baskets. Tuck them behind your sofa or in a cabinet so they can play where you are. Find ways to allow your kids to have fun in your home while, still maintaining it’s beauty.

6. Establish Clean Rules

This tip must be tailored to your family and the needs of your family! What works for my kids, may not work for your’s. Sit down and have a council about what is important to you and come up with rules and a cleaning schedule that everyone takes part in.

Some rules we have that help keep our home clean, that you may also like to use…

No shoes on in the house – shoes go in your closet

No food outside the kitchen {for kids}

Wash your hands after coming in from outside {this goes for our puppy Chloe too – we wipe her paws off }

Clean up after yourself

For a more detailed look at our daily chores and routines for the kids, you can visit this post about how to have a clean home with children. Here I share what each of my kids does to help out around the house. I really believe that all of the children should have responsibilities based on their age. This helps teach them to care for our home and how to work hard.

7. Don’t Wait to Decorate the Way you Want

Don’t wait until your children are grown to have the home of your dreams! Train your children when they are little to treat your home with respect. Your home should be a place where everyone can have fun together, but be respectful at the same time.

Believe it or not, I never “baby proofed” our home. I used safety features like outlet covers, but I kept our “nice” things out and taught the kids to be “soft” with them. We had many accidents but, my children grew up learning to be surrounded by pretty pieces and still play ball, wrestle and have fun in our house.

I mentioned above that it is totally possible to have white with kids and pets, it just takes work. Having a clean house, no matter what color it is, is work! If you put in the effort to teach your children and establish a cleaning routine, the work part gets easier with time -but it is still work!

I hope these tips and tricks help you see you can use white in your design and help you transform your house into a home.

For more Room Sources Click the Room

Entryway

Kitchen

Family Room

Cleaning Supplies