“Minimalist spaces are actually great for kids, as less clutter means fewer distractions," Ward shares with us. Less distracted kids equals better behavior, and that’s a win for any parent. So, take heart, minimalists. When it comes down to it, any space is kid-friendly if it’s designed with room for them to play, create, and use their imaginations. Here are Ward’s best tips for creating a home that feels minimal, but still allows your kids room for play. “My top tip is to have a space for everything to live,” she tells us. “Diapers go on a shelf or in a bin to pull from, for example, and bibs go in a specific draw or basket. The baby gear can be overwhelming in the beginning, so allocating storage areas for everything will prevent things from piling up and adding to that feeling of overwhelm.” If you’re looking for storage solutions, then Ward says that bins are the answer. “Bins with kids are always great for hiding clutter, especially if they are stackable! “I wouldn’t recommend pure white for parents,” she notes. “Instead, there are many fabrics that are two-toned and appear white from afar, but up close, they are two-dimensional. Warm, grey and white mixed appears white when you step back.” The fabric matters, too. “Performance fabrics that are two-toned neutral colors are great for adding texture and are more forgiving with visibility of any stains that may occur," Ward suggests. “Wood, wood, wood all the way for toys,” Ward says. “I love the natural feel and the craftsmanship. I try to stay away from primary colors in toys and reserve those for the kids’ books.”This is also true for bathtime. “You can’t have too many bath toys, but realistically, kids can only play with one toy at a time,” Ward notes. “I recommend keeping a plastic bin under the sink and only bringing out two toys at a time for a bath. That way, kids can focus on those toys and use their imagination more.”
