If you’ve got kids, then you know how important it is to have a child-friendly environment at home. While the house can pose several safety issues for toddlers in the family, there are numerous ways to address some of the common obstacles.
When you have kids, most of what you’ll do will evolve around them and their needs. Your home’s overall design is no different. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a home you enjoy living in. Fortunately, transforming your home into a kid-friendly space doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on preferred designs. Here are a few tips on how to design a kid-friendly space.
1. Consider open floorplans
Open floorplans allow you to supervise your children while you cook or relax, and it gives everybody else in the family room to do their own things. Zone the open floorplan by positioning furniture a certain way, introducing screens, or varying the ceiling heights to help encourage some sense of intimacy.
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2. Clutter-Free Kitchen
For a lot of families, the heart of the house is where the kitchen is and it’s usually the space that people use the most in the home, which means you need to carefully design it. One of the best ways to keep the kitchen looking tidy, functional, and clean and to conceal mess is by installing a butler’s pantry.
3. Rounded Furniture
If you want to reduce accidents caused by the sharp edges of your furniture, choose the ones that have soft, round edges. Avoid sharp-edged tables, couches, etc. However, if you already have sharp-edged furniture at home and don’t want to replace them, use edge protectors to reduce the potential for mishaps.
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4. Area Flooring and Rugs
Children and toddlers are bound to spill things at some point. So if you want hassle-free clean-ups, you may want to consider using vinyl or hardwood for the home’s flooring. Also, get some rugs for all the living spaces. This will offer a comfier place for the children to sit and play.
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5. Baby Gates
Baby gates have been a staple in the child safety space for quite some time now, and for good reason. By attaching a baby gate to the bottom and top of your staircase, you can help prevent your baby from accidentally falling down the stairs. Retractable baby gates have become a favourite because of their convenient and sleek design.
6. Doubling-Down on Storage Space
Your kid’s probably going to have a lot of things, which means it’s always good to have extra storage space. From built-in shelves to baskets, consider how and where you can store kids’ clothes, toys, and other accessories.
If you’re a young family, consider having some storage space in the living room specifically for play equipment and toys.
7. Anti-Tip Furniture
It is very common for younger children and babies to play on the couch, bedroom, etc. This might involve pulling or grabbing, which can potentially cause big pieces of furniture to topple over if they’re not anchored properly. Luckily, numerous anti-tip kits can help you lock large furniture in place keeping them firm and sturdy.
8. Covers and Locks
Arguably the most common safety measures you can take in the home are locks. From windows to high cabinets to toilets, there are very many features within the home that should be locked when the children are home. In addition, you should always cover outlets because they’re often very accessible hazards.
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