Kids are a joy to have around, but every parent knows they can be rough on a home. Whether you’re a new parent or already have a few kids, it’s important to design your house to be resilient against stains, messes, and damage, while increasing safety and comfortability for your children.
Kid-proofing your house will not only increase the functionality of your space, but it will also save you a lot of headaches and time in the long run. This article will give a few tips on how you can design your home to be more family-friendly.
Make sure you have a bathtub
If you only have a standing shower, you may find it difficult to bathe your baby.
Though you may be able to get away with bathing them in a baby bath in the sink for a while, as they continue to grow you may need to invest in a tub. Handling a toddler in the shower is tough, so installing a tub can save you a lot of hassle down the line.
Aside from the kids, it might be nice for you or your spouse to enjoy a nice soak in the tub after a long day of running after your munchkins.
Handheld shower head
If your home is not equipped for a tub, a handheld showerhead is another great option.
This is easier to install than a regular shower head and can allow you to control the water pressure and amount of water dispensed. This makes it easier to control the water pressure and temperature when it comes time to shower the little ones.
It will also make it easier to move your baby or toddler around when bathing them.
Change the toilet height
Of course, you will eventually have to change your toilet seat to comfortably fit children.
Once you start potty training your children, you’ll want to make sure your toilet is at a reasonable height for them to reach, complete with an easy to use toilet lever.
Choose the right fabric
Probably one of the best tips to prepare for kids is choosing the right fabric for your couches and linens.
For couches, go with darker colors and stain-resistant fabrics to make for an easy cleanup. Dirt and other stains are more visible on lighter colored furniture.
Children put a lot of wear and tear on things, so you need something that is tough and durable.
You’ll also want to make sure you choose the right bedding fabric.
Spills and potty accidents happen all the time with children, so choosing bedding fabric that is easy to clean and remove odors from is essential.
Make the kid’s room lively
When decorating your kids bedroom, you want to make it space they enjoy being in, while making it functional for you.
It should be a safe and fun place for your child to hang out. Make use of decorative storage baskets for toys, clothes and other necessities to avoid clutter pile up.
Babyproof the cabinets
Babyproof locks on cabinets are yet another essential when it comes to the safety of your children. There are many different options available, but this is key for safety in the home.
You also want to make sure that you don’t leave out anything valuable or easily breakable unsecured that a baby or small child could run into and knock over. Place those items inside locked cabinets or high up where they can’t be reached.
Rubber covers for cabinet corners are also necessary to protect your children from bumping into sharp corners.
Hardwood or Laminate Floors
Spilling is constantly happening in family homes, especially when kids are young. Carpet is a lot less durable, and with kids, stains are bound to accumulate over time.
Do yourself a favor and invest in hardwood or laminate flooring as they are easy to clean up with a broom or vacuum.
Summary
Lots of things change once you have children and the layout of your home is just one of the many adjustments you must make to your life. To ensure you are creating a safe environment for your kids, consider using all or some of these design tips to create the perfect family-friendly home.