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Embrace the chaos: tips for moving house with kids

Author Mel CookeInteriors Content CreatorWritten 26/06/2026

Moving house with kids can be busy, messy and unpredictable. With a growing family, young children and a new baby on the way, we quickly realised it wasn’t something you can fully prepare for. 

Embracing the chaos can make the whole experience feel much more manageable. While it wasn’t always smooth, it gave us the chance to create a home that really works for our family life. 

Our transformation story:

We decided to move to give our family more space and flexibility. We found a 1970s upside-down two storey house with plenty of potential. We loved the 70s charm, but it had outdated layouts and worn features, so needed an update.  

With children, our top priority from the start was creating safe, stimulating spaces for them. The little ones’ bedrooms and a dedicated playroom came first, giving them somewhere to unleash their creativity and burn off some energy while the rest of the house gradually came together. 

To make it all work, we had to stay organised, keep an eye on the budget and make decisions as we went. It wasn’t a perfect process, but taking things step by step made it manageable.

Our biggest challenges when moving house with kids:

The biggest challenge was balancing everything. We knew the house needed a full-scale renovation, but with young children, we had to take a more flexible approach. We created a timeline that factored in noise, dust and disruption as well as designated “safe zones” for the kids during construction. 

We also wanted to keep routines as normal as possible, especially around bedtime and mealtimes. There was a lot of trial and error, but we knew trying to create a home while actively living in it meant accepting that things wouldn’t be finished straight away.

  • "It won’t always be smooth sailing, but with a dash of creativity, a sprinkle of flexibility, and a whole lot of love, this 1970s gem is on its way to becoming a cherished family oasis."

Our window dressing journey:

As the house started to come together, we realised how important window dressings were. They’re not just a finishing touch; they make a big difference to how a space feels and works. 

For our family, privacy, light control and sleep routines were key. Blackout designs were essential in the children’s rooms, helping to create a calm environment for bedtime and more gentle mornings. We chose matching curtains and an electric Roman blind, which helped bring practicality and comfort into the bedroom. 

Once they were in place, everything felt more complete, and the house started to feel like a home. 

  • “I love DIY, and we tackled as much of the renovation as we could, but the windows were another story. I knew I needed a pro’s eye to choose the perfect window treatments.” 

Tips for moving house with kids:

If you’re planning a move with kids, a few simple steps can make a big difference: 

  • Pack a dedicated essentials box with toys, snacks and colouring books. 

  • Keep key routines consistent, especially bedtime and mealtimes. 

  • Take a phased approach and focus on one room at a time. 

  • Create safe, usable spaces early on. 

The result: a home that works for family life

Moving house with kids isn’t always easy, but embracing the chaos along the way makes it manageable. 

What started as an unfinished house is now a space that feels practical, welcoming and full of personality. There’s a balance between bold style and everyday functionality, which makes it work for all of us.

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