Design Inspiration for Busy Wonder Moms: Create a Stylish, Family-Friendly Home

• Ronnie Gor

First and foremost, let’s take a moment to pat ourselves on the back for gracefully embracing the role of bringing a new life into the world. Without any particular “mommy” formal education, training, or societal preparation, we have taken on the incredible task of nurturing and caring for these little beings. It’s no simple feat to ensure the well-being of our children, and every step of the journey deserves recognition and celebration.

As my kids have grown older, the immense stress that comes with their summer break hasn’t diminished. The 10-week break is a long stretch, during which we moms often face a tough choice: sacrificing our work life to take care of them, or spending valuable resources to send them to camps or other programs. These activities, while beneficial, sometimes feel like just another extension of school where they are constantly told how to behave.

Freedom is something I deeply value, and it’s important for kids to enjoy it too. After all, these tiny beings will soon develop their own wings, becoming independent and building their own nests. Keeping them home during this long summer break could create treasured memories that last a lifetime.

In short, the overwhelming task of managing summer break largely falls on moms. So, moms, how do we tackle this challenge intelligently, creatively, and productively? And what does a design firm like mine have to do with this?

Design can solve many problems and shape our lives in ways we might not even realize. Just like good eating and workout habits keep us healthy and proactive, mindful design strategies can enhance our daily routines and environments. Here, I’m sharing a few long-term strategies drawn from one of my favorite designers, Eichler, as well as a few others and my own experiences. You can see these strategies successfully implemented in my projects featured on my website.

Design Tip One – Enhance Your Home with Multi-Sliders: Bring in Natural Light and Fresh Air

Transform your home by installing multi-sliders, which open up your space to the outdoors. This addition brings in more natural light and fresh air, creating an inviting environment for running, playing, and daydreaming surrounded by nature. Here is a great example from one of my favorite developers, Eichler:

Design Tip Two – Open Concept Kitchen: Seamlessly Connect Your Family and Living Spaces

Create an open concept kitchen by removing walls and any level differences or obstacles between the kitchen, family room, and living space. This visual connection helps with multitasking, allows you to manage household chores, and keeps a watchful eye on the little ones. Incorporating a small work area within this open space can be a boon for productivity.

Design Tip Three – Maximize Extra Space: Create Separate Activity Zones for Better Home Organization

If you have extra space, segregating certain activities into separate compartments is always a smart idea. For example, carve out a dedicated media/playroom where kids can enjoy their video games without disturbing other siblings or adults. This space allows you to supervise their screen time and monitor content, ensuring a safe and controlled environment within your home.

Design Tip Four – Enhance Your Home with an ADU: Create a Functional Workspace and Family Retreat

Convert an attached garage into an ADU/JADU or add a detached ADU on your property if you have the resources. This addition allows one spouse to work from home without distractions while staying close to family. It provides a perfect balance between productivity and enjoying quality time with the kids.

Design Tip Five – Incorporate an Open Courtyard: Enhance Ventilation, Daylight, and Family Connection

Incorporate an open courtyard or atrium in your home. Courtyards have been used for centuries as open, breathable spaces that enhance ventilation, daylight, safety, and privacy. Most importantly, they help keep the family connected. These open spaces are ideal for kids and pets to enjoy outdoor activities within the safety of your home under your watchful eye.

As a designer and mother of two boys, these ideas are born from my own experiences. I hope they inspire a societal shift towards creating spaces and environments that truly support motherhood—the cornerstone of humanity. Let’s advocate for kinder, more nurturing environments for mothers everywhere. Wishing all you amazing mamas a joyful summer ’24! If you found these tips helpful, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!