The arrival of a child brings not only joy but also additional expenses. Among these is the home renovation for the new family member! Where do you start? The first thing to do is to designate their space and make it safe. When the home doesn’t have enough space, for example a separate children’s room, the solution may be to find a functional area that can be utilized to meet your new needs.
Children’s Room: When a Home Renovation Marks a New Era
Adding a new room to your home undoubtedly signifies a new phase in life. Especially when it’s a children’s room, it marks the beginning of a new era, with an additional family member. Identify the most accessible space and see if, with the addition of drywall, for example, you can create a new room. In this case, the home renovation depends on your creativity and on a professional who will ensure the space is created properly. Let’s look at some essential tips for designing a children’s space and how we can make it child-friendly.
Safety First: What Makes a Space Safe for Children?
When designing a space for children, their safety is always a priority and your main concern. For instance, plug covers, soft flooring or rugs, and safe storage spaces for toys are essential elements. Ensure that furniture edges are protected with special plastic guards, cords are carefully placed, and it doesn’t hurt if your couch has secure cushions! Install safety locks on cabinets containing cleaning products or other dangerous materials that children could access. Make sure heavy furniture, like bookcases and dressers, is securely anchored to the wall to prevent accidents.
Furniture for Children
The budget we discussed earlier should include the purchase of quality furniture and materials for the children’s room. A baby won’t know if you transformed a corner of your living room into a nursery, but ensuring quality materials, such as in the crib, is essential for their safety, and the quality of baby bedding is vital for their health. Avoid compromising on items related to your baby’s well-being. Choose stain-resistant fabrics that are easy to clean, or specially designed fabrics for sofas and chairs.
Children’s Personal Space at Home
A single children’s room may not always be enough to satisfy a child’s need for play and exploration. Create zones within the home where children can play safely. Apart from their room, a corner in a common area, such as the living room, can become an ideal spot for children to play and enjoy themselves. This corner is best placed in an area where the family spends the most time together, and if defined properly, it can become a favourite. Carpets, soft toys, and storage baskets play a central role here. Try to leave some open areas in the home where children can move, run, and explore.
Colours and Decoration in the Children’s Room
Vibrant colours and cheerful decorative design can create a pleasant atmosphere. Use bright colours on the walls, colourful rugs, and decorations that will catch children’s interest. Children spend a lot of time indoors, so air quality and material choices are crucial. If you paint the room, opt for non-toxic paints free of harmful chemicals. Generally, choose eco-friendly materials for carpets and furniture, avoiding synthetic materials that could release harmful substances. Finally, if the children are able, encourage them to participate in designing their space. Let them choose decorations or contribute to creating their environment! And why not hang their artwork on the walls to show them you value their work and encourage their creativity?
Play Areas Within the Bedroom and Storage
Create a dedicated play area! A space for building activities or a reading nook can encourage children’s creativity and imagination. Choose storage boxes and baskets or shelves at a low height that children can easily reach. Organized toys and books not only make the home safer, but also help children learn tidiness and responsibility. An organized home supports children in learning their first habits of orderliness and cleanliness. It is important that the home provides stimuli for children to develop their imagination and creativity.
Physical Activity for Children Indoors
If possible, create a space where children can exercise and move freely. With the right gym equipment and toys like a trampoline or a hula-hoop, children can be encouraged to engage in physical activity and release their daily energy.
Designing areas inside or outside the home can have a significant impact on children’s development and well-being. A safe, child-friendly environment becomes a space where children can learn, explore, and develop their skills with peace of mind.
Book a Free Consultation
A child-friendly home is the result of good planning and organization. With a few adjustments, your home can become an ideal space for your children’s daily life and growth. We welcome you to Chnaris Architecture in Construction to assess and organize your needs and to plan your new room together!
