5 ways to make your home kid-friendly
Every parent knows the struggle of maintaining a well-kept home while raising young children (who raise hell). The once immaculate floors have been strewn with toys and books. There are chocolate milkshake stains on the carpets and a general sense of chaos seems to reign. But how can you adopt an aesthetically pleasing interior, while ensuring your kid's comfort remains a priority? Here are five fantastic ways to incorporate safe spaces for your children while never compromising on style and practicality.
1. Start with their rooms
From a baby's nursery to a toddler's bedroom or playroom, these are spaces your child will likely be spending a lot of time in. You will not be able to keep an eye on them 24/7 so it's important these rooms are optimised for safety. First things first, you need to get washable paint! Kids are prone to express their artistic talents on many home surfaces, but they see the walls of your home as a blank canvas on which they can be the next Van Gogh. The washable paint will also come in handy when removing any marks or dirt.
Furniture in their rooms is also very important. Look for cabinets with rounded edges and fabric storage containers that can easily be moved around to make space for playtime.
2. Encourage the use of their own furniture
While kids love to feel included in what the grown-ups are doing, they enjoy the novelty of being special. Kid-size furniture in the living room and kitchen is a cute, yet practical way of solving the issue of muddy handprints on the couch. Speaking of the living room, if the material of your furniture isn't easily cleanable it would be a good idea to get temporary couch covers and store away any fragile ornaments until the kids are old enough.
When it comes to the design of your house, some sharp edges and furniture simply can't be avoided or stored away. In this instance, you can make them safe by insulating the corners with foam as a temporary fix. There are special baby guards for corners that fit around a number of safety hazards. Choose ones in colours that blend in with the furniture so as not to interfere with the aesthetic of the room.
3. Out of sight, out of mind
Make sure you store anything potentially dangerous to your kids out of reach. If your storage capacity doesn't allow you to live off the top shelf in every room, there are a range of child-proof locks on the market that will prevent them from getting into any drawer or cabinet. It's advisable to put these locks on the cabinets you store cleaning detergents, alcohol, sharp objects, medicines and more.
4. Stop them in their tracks
Usain Bolt has nothing on a toddler running away with something in their hands they have no business holding. Formula 1 cars do not move as quickly as babies careening across floors on all fours, headed towards the nearest staircase. To prevent your child from suffering serious harm, a simple installation of safety gates at the entrance of doorways or staircases is the perfect solution. The gates are easily removable and will not be a permanent fixture in your home.
5. The checklist
There are some non-negotiables when it comes to child-proofing your home. Make sure these are strictly followed to avoid any accidents.
- Tie up any long or hanging curtains or blinds as kids can easily get tangled in them
- Hide electrical wires and cover sockets when not in use
- Secure your electronics to the wall and remove any items that are easily knocked over
- Secure oven doors, microwaves and stove switches
- Install smoke detectors around the home
- Keep a pool safety net or cover on at all times
- Implement a ban on small objects like coins, buttons etc. lying around as they pose a choking hazard
Being a parent is a rewarding experience, no matter how challenging the process. REALGLEN Properties have helped countless young families find their dream homes. Contact us to view one of our family-friendly properties today.