Wherever you happen to live, the addition of children to a household changes everything. Whereas before you may have prioritised the comfort of you and your partner, adding child-friendly elements to your home is essential for creating a space where kids can grow and develop in a safe, secure, and healthy environment.
There are of course a lot of obvious changes that need to be made before a home is ready to accommodate children. A lot of these involve safety and, of course, providing a child’s bedroom or play space. Other important changes require a bit of imagination.
Whether you are preparing your home for the arrival of your first child or planning to make room for more on the way, there are so many things you can do to make your home not only child-friendly but family-friendly as well.
Of course, when it comes to families, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to home design. Every child is unique, and you will always want to tailor things such as décor and furniture to accommodate whatever needs your child has; or whatever aspirations you have for their development.
Contrary to what you might think, making your home child-friendly does not mean the end of a comfortable adult living space where you and your partner can entertain friends. Nor even is it necessary to cordon off specific areas of the house for your children and other areas for yourself. With a little imaginative flair, it is perfectly possible to create a family-friendly home that caters to the needs and interests of the whole family.
Read on then for a list of ways you can make your home truly child-friendly. We will start with the obvious…
Make Your Home Child-Safe
Children require a lot of attention and, as they grow, perhaps even more. Caring for a baby or toddler is one thing, but before you know it your little ones will be running back and forth, exploring their world, and, in many cases, putting into their mouth on everything they can get their hands on.
Of course, it’s wise to take some child safety precautions when preparing a home for children. Some of the classic products and techniques are still wise to employ. Corner protectors for tables (and the general eradication of all sharp edges within reach of toddlers), socket covers for ground-level plug sockets, and gates for the top of the stairs are all products that have not, and will never, go out of fashion.
A great deal more is simply common sense. Naturally, any medicines, cleaning products, or other harmful substances should be kept in overhead cabinets and sharp or easily swallowed objects should be similarly kept aloft. It is a good idea to give your home a methodical once-over to check that no such hazards remain.
Keep in mind, however, that you can go overboard with safety products and a home where a child is constantly constricted and kept clear of every potential hazard is far from ideal. Children need to explore and encounter the world first-hand, the odd bump or scratch – especially for older children who are walking and running – is certainly no disaster.
Create Play Areas
A proper family home where a child can grow and develop is one in which families can play or spend time together. With this in mind, it is decidedly not necessary to turn any room of your house into something resembling a nursery or a creche.
That said, it is perfectly possible to create distinct play areas where a child can play or partake in creative activities. If toys can be neatly packed away at night, then they can spill out across the home when in use. Creating an area with perhaps a desk or a set of arts and craft materials will offer a child hours of fun in a space that you can feel at home in as well.
Of course, you can always embrace the childish and silly elements that make being a child such a unique experience. There is no harm in placing children’s art on the wall or having a few silly toys around the house. Done properly, it can even look quite stylish! Remember, the idea is to create a family home, and all members of the family should be represented.
Create a “Quite Time” Area for Kids to Read or Relax
As your children get a bit older, it is a great idea to give them their own space within the house for them to perhaps not be as physically active as normal. All children eventually get tired and as your child starts reading or engaging in other non-active pursuits, it is great for them to have their own relaxing space where they can discover the world of knowledge at their own pace. This will also give your kids a powerful sense of independence from an early age, which is great for their development.
Children’s classrooms in schools are a great model to emulate. Of course, there are many classroom things that you don’t need in your home – certain features that are more appropriate to a public building, such as large blackboards or warning signs to increase class safety, you can probably leave out. Yet it is a great idea to have a few classroom-style items such as a world map, a small whiteboard, or a desk to create an environment for learning within your own home.
Encourage Garden Play
If your home has a garden, it’s a great idea to make this welcoming for children as well. The same idea of integrating the child and adult experience in one place can well apply to your garden. Perhaps you could include a Wendy house on the lawn, a set of goalposts, or other child’s sports equipment.
The garden is really an area where parents and children can spend quality time together. And whatever size of garden you have, there are always ways to make it more child-friendly. If space is tight, why not create a giant board to attach to a fence or wall. That way, you and your children can enjoy novelty games such as noughts and crosses or hangman.
Whether it’s a garden or home, having children does not mean the end of adult spaces. They simply become family spaces – and with that comes a whole lot of fun.
