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Kid-friendly living room ideas that are just as great for grandma

The right furnishing can help you create a space that’s not just a living room for kids, but also a place where the oldies and the youngsters – and everyone in between – can relax and comfortably hang out together, without having to worry about anyone getting in harm’s way.

A living room in a pastel colour scheme with a light-blue VIMLE sofa, light-pink KALKFLY curtains and a BORGEBY coffee table.
A living room in a pastel colour scheme with a light-blue VIMLE sofa, light-pink KALKFLY curtains and a BORGEBY coffee table.

The same but different

Matching armchairs in just the right size mean the grown-ups and the yet-to-grow-ups can enjoy quality time together. And don’t forget the reading lamps.

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A living room corner with a girl and a woman standing by a pair of light-beige POÄNG armchairs, one of them child-sized.
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Invisible heroes that keep the fun flowing

When the kids are around things can get fast and furious, but slamming doors and sliding rugs can really spoil the fun. Door stops and anti-slip underlays will let the kids enjoy the thrills but avoid the spills.

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An open door held in place by a white PATRULL door stop. By the door is rug, a lifted corner revealing anti-slip underlay.
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Style, storage and safety

The furniture you choose not only affects the look and function of a room, it can also make it more or less kid-friendly. A table like this is a good choice because it has a lip around the tray to prevent things getting knocked off and also has rounded, bump-friendly edges. Add in the extra storage and light, airy look, and you have a winner all round.

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A living room where a girl plays at a BORGEBY birch-veneer coffee table, and a woman crochets in a light-blue VIMLE sofa.
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Tucked away but ready for action

Just because you love having the kids around doesn’t mean you want the living room to look like a kindergarten. Hidden storage like this will help keep toys out of sight when they’re not being used. For extra tidiness, fit them with boxes in various sizes. Easy to lift out and easy to put away, they’ll make playtime – and tidying up – a little bit more fun.

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A black-blue VIMLE footstool with its lid half-off, revealing toys sorted in multiple yellow UPPRYMD boxes.
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A safe design statement

Combining several cord sets with decorative lamps at different heights lets you create your own personal lighting design. Here, even though the cords’ lengths are staggered, each one is high enough off the ground to prevent curious small hands getting hold of them.

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A row of LUNNOM lit bulbs hanging at different heights in white SUNNEBY cords in front of light-pink KALKFLY curtains.
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Customised kid-friendly storage and display

Choosing a storage system instead of stand-alone pieces of furniture lets you create the solution that’s perfect for you, your room and your family. Here, glass-doored cabinets have been mounted on the wall to create a display unit. This lets you show off your favourite things while keeping them safely out of reach. Integrated lighting adds warmth and creates a focal point (at least when the TV is off). The lower unit combines open storage for media devices and frequently used things while the doors hide the messy stuff.

See the BESTÅ storage system
A wall-mounted TV and white BESTÅ cabinets, with glass doors above and light-grey/beige doors below.
See the BESTÅ storage system