Designing a Kid and Pet-Friendly Luxury Home in Southern California: A 2024 Guide

As we approach 2024, the concept of luxury living in Southern California continues to evolve, particularly in high-end real estate areas like Manhattan Beach, Huntington Beach, and other prime locations in LA County and the South Bay Area. For many homeowners in these desirable So-Cal neighborhoods, the challenge lies in creating a space that’s both opulent and practical for families with children and pets. This is where the expertise of a design/build firm becomes invaluable.

Your beach house can be kid and pet friendly without being boring or cluttered. Our clients sometimes assume that all the character and refinements have to be stripped from their custom home design to reduce hazards or exposure to premature wear-and-tear from little hands, paws, and claws.

It couldn’t be farther from the truth.

The design/build approach offers significant advantages when creating a home that meets a family’s needs while maintaining a luxury aesthetic. This is particularly true in high-end real estate markets like Manhattan Beach, Huntington Beach, and other desirable areas in LA County and the South Bay.

Whether you’re building a seasonal Manhattan Beach getaway or a home your family will enjoy year round, there are some easy steps you can take to bring style and luxury into your living space, even with kids and pets in the picture.

The Rise of Family-Friendly Luxury Homes in Southern California

In recent years, there’s been a significant shift in the luxury real estate market across Southern California. More and more affluent families are seeking homes that offer extravagance, functionality, and durability to withstand the demands of active children and pets. This trend is particularly evident in upscale communities like Manhattan Beach, where oceanfront properties command premium prices and discerning buyers expect nothing but the best.

The design/build approach has gained popularity in these high-end markets, as it offers a seamless integration of design and construction processes. This method is particularly beneficial when creating custom homes that need to balance luxury with family-friendly features.

10 Ways to Design a Kid and Pet Friendly Luxury Home

Whether you’re designing a home for kids, pets, or adults who are kids at heart, there are some choices you can make that deliver practicality, beauty, timeless style…and durability.

When designing a luxury home in areas like Huntington Beach or the South Bay, it’s crucial to select materials that can withstand the wear and tear of children and pets while maintaining a high-end aesthetic. In 2024, we’re seeing a surge in the use of:

– Engineered hardwood floors with scratch-resistant finishes

– High-performance fabrics for upholstery that repel stains and odors

– Quartz countertops that are both elegant and virtually indestructible

– Porcelain tiles that mimic natural stone but offer superior durability

1. Easy to clean wall coverings

Kids and pets can be hard on your walls.

Your toddler sees every open space as a blank canvas for their sticky, messy hands and crayon creations. And your pets will think nothing of collapsing against a wall in your entryway after a good play at the beach.

• Designers only use flat paint on the ceiling. There’s a reason for that. It absorbs oil on contact and the stain will never go away. Worse yet, dust clings to the oil, making the stain an unsightly dirt trap. If a member of your family has allergies, this can be particularly unpleasant.
• Opt for satin or eggshell finish on your walls and make wiping up after your little mess-makers quick and easy.

2. Safe, Sustainable Flooring

• 100% natural fibers – like wool – are easier to clean than most synthetic carpets.
• Attractive, high performance synthetic options that are treated with eco-friendly stain protection are also great options. With more of us spending our time at home, having durable indoor and outdoor flooring that provides comfort under your bare feet is especially appealing.
• Steer clear of viscose and rayon rugs. They show wear quickly and hold onto stains forever.
• Opt for carpet tiles, rather than a single roll, in the high-traffic-kid zones, like their playroom or your family room. If you end up with a stubborn stain that just won’t come out, you can simply pop out the stained tiles and replace them with new ones.
• If you want a California coastal vibe, jute and sisal look the part, hide spills, and layer well. Before you write them off as too prickly for bare feet, remember that you can add an area rug that’s smaller, softer, and can be tossed in the laundry or replaced when it becomes frayed or stained.

3. Mosaic Versus Large-Format Tile

Few materials top porcelain tiles in the utilitarian rooms – laundry, bathrooms – because they’re easy to clean, durable, and come in every color and pattern you could imagine.

Consider going for a mosaic pattern in your bathrooms and especially your children’s bathrooms. It adds interest to space, but also gives better traction than large tiles, which, with a little moisture turns into a skating rink. Smaller tiles are much better for little feet straight from the bath.

4. Fabrics That Stand The Test Of Time

Forget your early impressions of monotone performance fabrics. We love using solution-dyed acrylic fabrics for custom-designed furniture in kid and pet-friendly homes.

There are thousands of options – and unlimited uses for these spill-and-stain-proof fabrics, including decorative and functional throw pillows and cushions for indoor and outdoor use.

Liquid beads on the surface, and the occasional stubborn stain that gets through the fabric can easily be mopped up with a diluted bleach solution.

 5. Not Your Grandma’s Slipcover

This is another area of home decor that has seen a renaissance. Remember the frumpy, ill-fitting slipcover on your Grandma’s sofa—the kind that has to be readjusted every time someone sits on it?

You’ve probably been seated on furniture covered by a modern slipcover without even realizing it.

Slipcovers have become sleek, stylish, and versatile. And most of them are machine washable. We often suggest to our clients that they have two made for the higher-traffic furniture, so they can be cycled, just like the sheets on your bed.

Incorporating nature into the home design is becoming increasingly popular, especially in coastal areas like Manhattan Beach. This might include living walls, indoor gardens, and the use of natural materials like stone and wood.

6. Wipeable Leather

Faux leather has come a long way. We often recommend it for high traffic furniture like the barstools at your kitchen island. Our family often gathers around the island for our morning meal, and faux leather seats stand the wear and tear and are just as easy to clean, if not more so, than real leather or fabric.

They give the comfort, look, and feel of real leather, without the necessary conditioning.

If you’re looking for a specific color scheme, consider having your dining chairs and stools custom made. Choose stain-resistant, high-performance fabric for the inside of the seat and the high-maintenance fabric on seat backs and surfaces that aren’t exposed to spills.

7. Kid-Friendly Counters

There are marble people and non-marble people. 

If you’re worried about stains and streaks, you are definitely a non-marble person. And with kids, those stains and streaks are inevitable.

Empty nesters love marble countertops, but if you’ve got a busy kitchen with little hands in the mix, try porcelain. It can be made to look like marble without all the maintenance. Luxury homeowners in So-Cal are increasingly opting for sustainable, non-toxic materials that are safe for both children and pets, such as low-VOC paints and formaldehyde-free cabinetry.

8. Safety Matters

Your kid and pet-friendly beach house needs to be a safe environment. For all its beauty, life in Southern California is a life in an earthquake zone. If you’re new to the area, it can be an adjustment to making your home decor decisions.

Luxury homeowners in So-Cal increasingly opt for sustainable, non-toxic materials that are safe for children and pets, such as low-VOC paints and formaldehyde-free cabinetry.

• Avoid placing glass frames over your child or pet’s sleeping area and keep home decor like paintings, sculptures, or books away from change tables and other areas where your kids and pets spend the most time. There are some wonderful plastic, fabric, and paper art options that will bring color and personality to a room without creating a safety hazard.
• Be sure to anchor tall dressers and bookshelves securely to the wall with discreet furniture straps.
• Consider upholstered accessories – a fabric-covered ottoman instead of a sharp-edged coffee table. Curved edges to counters, dining room furniture, and occasional tables add a soft, pleasing aesthetic and remove opportunities for injury to little heads.
• Children and pets have been known to get tangled up in window dressings, blind and curtain cords, with tragic consequences. Consider automatic blinds, or find a way to secure cords up out of reach.

9. Design for Efficiency

Space is at a premium in South Bay, so don’t waste an inch of it.

Kids mean clutter. It’s unavoidable. Even if you live most of your days out on the beach, all those toys have to go somewhere at the end of the day. Make sure to make the most of the otherwise ‘dead’ space in your home.

• Hollow window seats in your front hall or playroom make great places to tuck away the clutter and also serve as a lounging spot if you throw on a couple of cushions covered in high-performance fabric.
• Built-in media consoles are convenient.
• Talk to your designer or architect about the pockets of space in your walls that can become discreet and useful storage pockets.
• While smart home technology is rising, there’s a growing trend towards creating tech-free zones within the home to encourage family bonding and reduce screen time.
• Multigenerational Living Spaces: As more families choose to live together, luxury homes are being designed to comfortably accommodate multiple generations. This might include separate in-law suites or accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on the property.

10. Design for peace and quiet

Your family is going to grow and change during your lifetime in this beach retreat. Tackle the noise with thoughtful additions to flooring and wall covering that will add style and sound suppression.

Wall-to-wall carpeting and the addition of lush, soft area rugs will provide comfort while dampening the living noises—from the rambunctious toddler who wakes up in the middle of the night to the teenager who blasts music.

Luxury homes are increasingly including features that promote family health and wellness, such as:

– Home gyms with child-friendly equipment

– Meditation rooms or outdoor yoga spaces

– Air purification systems

– Circadian lighting systems that mimic natural light patterns

Your Kid and Pet-friendly Luxury Home Can Be an Oasis

Creating a kid and pet-friendly luxury home in Southern California’s high-end real estate markets requires a delicate balance of luxury, functionality, and durability. As we move into 2024, the design/build approach is proving to be an excellent solution for families seeking to create their dream homes in desirable locations like Manhattan Beach, Huntington Beach, and other prime areas in LA County and the South Bay.

By working with experienced design/build firms that understand the unique needs of families and the local real estate landscape, homeowners can create spaces that are both luxurious and practical for daily family life. From durable materials and smart home technology to dedicated pet spaces and sustainable features, these homes set a new standard for family-friendly luxury living in Southern California.

As the real estate market continues to evolve, one thing remains clear. In So-Cal’s most coveted neighborhoods, luxury homes that cater to the needs of two- and four-legged family members will continue to be in high demand. By embracing innovative design solutions and working with skilled design/build professionals, families can create homes that are truly the best of both worlds – showcases of luxury and havens of family life.

We also have kids and pets and messy adult humans in our lives.

You don’t have to sacrifice style for safety and functionality like energy efficiency.

At White Sands, we’ve learned how to design and custom-build a beach house that suits all your perfectly imperfect family members, whether they’re kids or furbabies. For busy families in So-Cal, having a single point of contact for all aspects of their home project is invaluable. Design/build firms provide this convenience, simplifying communication and problem-solving throughout the process. By having all aspects of the project under one roof, design/build firms can often find more cost-effective solutions to achieve the desired luxury look and functionality. This is particularly important in expensive real estate markets like Southern California, where every dollar counts.

Our clients benefit from our personal experience (one kid-sized concussion later, all the furniture in my own living room is cushioned and rounded), and our client-honed expertise. We love our kids and our pets, and we think “home” should be comfortable and safe for everyone—but that doesn’t mean it has to look like a nursery school. You can see some of our other kid & pet-friendly projects by clicking here. 

Visit us to find out more about our services. We look forward to building your family home in this paradise we call Southern California.

Thanks for reading,

Hawlie Ohe