How can you create a stylish home that is also child friendly and safe for children? This must be a question that so many new parents have pondered over the years. You spend years developing your own individual style, perhaps collecting some stylish and expensive furniture along the way, then you decide to start a family! All of a sudden there are mounds of coloured plastic littering your room, as well as plastic safety corners cushioning every sharp, clean, line on your expensive furniture.
Of course changes are welcome, as the arrival of babies and children bring so much fun and joy to a home. Sometimes though it would be nice to retain a little bit of style whilst keeping your loved ones safe. It would also be good to be able to store all the paraphernalia that comes with having children away because an uncluttered home helps to have a healthy mind. Is this possible though?
By following these tips you will be well on your way to creating a stylish but child friendly home…
Flooring
When you have children your choice of flooring needs to be as practical as possible. Solid wood flooring looks amazing but may get badly scratched by toys. Laminate is an affordable and stylish option which is very easy to clean and maintain. Carpets offer comfort, but has the disadvantage of being more difficult to clean, although you can apply coatings that will repel anything spilled on them.
Storage
Storage is the easiest and most important way to keep your home looking stylish and free from clutter. There are some fantastic, great looking storage options that can be used in living areas and bedrooms. You will probably need a lot of storage space, especially when your children are young. Ensure your storage options are safe and won’t topple if your curious toddler decides to climb.
Furniture
There is a large choice of stylish furniture available, that is suitable for a child-friendly home. When searching for your perfect dining room table or coffee table, just make sure there are no sharp corners and avoid glass. When choosing a new sofa make sure it is easy to clean, either by choosing a fabric one, with washable covers, or leather. To avoid little fingers from damaging, or getting hurt by, your television or music system look at purchasing a TV stand with mount, which will keep wires, buttons and controls safely out of reach, as well as looking stylish.
Fabrics and accessories
The cost of having children often means that most of your spare cash is spent on them rather than buying new furniture for your home. A cheaper option for introducing on-style fashion to your interior is by using fabrics and accessories. Cushions, throws, curtains and artwork will go a long way to update your home. As fashion trends change annually you will be able to change your accessories on a regular basis without bursting through your budget. So even though you haven’t made any major changes, your home remains on trend.
Another fairly inexpensive way of updating your home is by repainting your walls in up-to-date colours. The cost of a tin of paint is not expensive and repainting a wall is easy to do. You could even get your child to help!
*Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.
I don’t have any small children but when I moved into my current apartment a few years ago I had to ensure that it was child proof for my brother’s visit with his wife and 3 small children. The leather sofa and armchairs were ideal because they could clamber all over it and it could be wiped clean. The one thing I didn’t foresee was my youngest nephew climbing up against the sideboard and opening the door to get touch the glassware inside. Fortunately he was unscathed after a glass cupcake stand shattered at his feet.