Remodeling and redoing a house requires you to make lots and lots of decisions, even down to the color of grout you want.
Making these decisions is not always the easiest, however, it can get even more complicated when you have to think about kids living in these new spaces.
Here are some top tips on remodeling your house to be a kid-friendly home:
Be Clear With Your Contractor
Many people choose to do some of their DIY home upgrades. However, if you are going for a full home remodel, it would be safe to assume that you will be using a contractor.
It is highly recommended to use a contractor who knows what they are doing instead of trying to DIY any big updates such as roof replacement or repair. For example, an experienced roofing contractor can help you identify the right type of roofing needed for your home as far as weather conditions are concerned and can identify any dangers that might not be obvious to you.
When it comes to dealing with contractors, you should be clear about your needs and expectations. A good contractor would also readily abide by the requirements that you have set for your home. Try your best to create a great relationship with them because that can help you when it comes to making bigger decisions.
Contractors can offer some great advice as far as materials are concerned too. So do not hesitate to ask about kid-friendly materials such as non-toxic paints, glues, etc.
So, what you really need at this time is a reliable contractor who is aware of these materials.
Get Furniture With Rounded Edges
If you are renovating or remodeling your house, chances are high that you will be looking for new furniture as well. Since the layout of your home and the feel of the home might be changing, it only makes sense to update the furniture too.
However, choosing furniture can be tricky when dealing with kids. If baby-proofing your house was not hard enough, child-proofing a home for toddlers can be even more challenging.
To deal with some of these challenges, it is best to invest in furniture that has rounded corners or edges, especially those furniture pieces that will be in high-activity zones.
For example, a coffee table or a dining table with rounded edges can be great as far as protecting your kid is concerned. Rounded edges can also make your house look chic as compared to the industrial feel some straight edges can bring to a house.
You can even opt for a round end table near your couch or rounded edges for bedroom furniture such as dressers and drawer chests.
Leave Some Room For Activities
As your child grows, they are going to need room to grow too. Since you are already remodeling your home, it makes sense to plan it in a way that leaves some room for activities.
This can mean a lot of things from leaving a room around the coffee table to place a rug and play around to even creating a dedicated play corner in the living room. You can even opt to create a den to create a makeshift play area for your kids.
Furthermore, you should consider adding some deck or patio space where your kids can indulge in more messy activities if you do not want to clutter up your space. Consider adding foam mats or non-toxic turfing to create a great environment for your kids.
Your kids will love to explore these new areas and fall more in love with the idea of a ‘home sweet home’.
Go For Easy To Clean Surfaces
One thing that all parents will agree on is that kids are messy and can wreak havoc in the home when it comes to scattering toys everywhere to dropping food and other items throughout the house.
The best thing that you can do for your sanity and your home’s cleanliness is to choose easy-to-clean surfaces when making remodeling decisions. For example, if you are choosing a couch, consider choosing a fabric that is easy to clean like synthetic PU leather, as you can just wipe off the mess without worrying about it soaking in as you would for an expensive material.
Similarly, when it comes to countertops and furniture finishes, try to choose surfaces such as granite, vinyl, glossy epoxy finishes, or ceramic tiles. This advice even stretches to the type of flooring you are getting done.
Cleaning carpets is a nightmare, especially when your kids leave all sorts of mess that leaves a stain too. These odors and bacteria get trapped in the fibers of a carpet and can make the house look/smell dirty.
While keeping these considerations in mind, think about going for wooden flooring in the entire house with tiles in your bathrooms and kitchen. This will make your life a lot easier and will keep your temper in check when your kids make a mess.
Invest In An Air Purifier
Another thing that many parents complain about is the aftermath of a remodeling venture. Any kind of construction will result in a lot of dust and other particles in the air as well as on the surfaces of your remodeled house.
The best thing that you can do to protect your kids while the construction work is going on is to invest in an air purifier to use right during the remodeling process and even afterward. This will help everyone in the house breathe better and avoid any dust-related allergies.
Other things that you can do to manage dust include wiping down surfaces with a vinegar-based solution and replacing the filters in your AC systems.
Conclusion
Finally, the remodeling process does not have to be a nightmare.
All you need to do is plan a little bit more than you would normally. For example, you can ask a friend to watch your kids or even store some frozen meals at your friend’s house if your kitchen is inaccessible.
Keeping the above tips in mind can guarantee a smooth remodeling process for creating a kid-friendly home.
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