Turn Your Living Room Into a Child-Friendly Space
October 23, 2020When kids come into the family, your home just inevitably transforms. They just take over every room in the house and they leave their mark everywhere. Whether it be toys, crayon markings, or bright little stuff toys, your guests will know you have a new addition to the family.
Oftentimes though, some parents find it difficult to balance style and function especially in high-traffic rooms like the living room which are used daily by both adults and kids. Fortunately, you don’t have to look too far to find ways to turn your living room into a friendly space for both kids and adults. Here are some tips to help you.
Opt for Soft-Sided Furniture
Uncomfortable furniture sucks! No one enjoys them most especially children. So if you’re looking to buy or trade out your old furniture, look for those that are soft-sided and comfortable for people of all ages and sizes. Avoid hard furniture with sharp edges. You can also get away with stylish ottomans or adorable soft poufs on the floor. The kids will love those.
Swap Out Sharp-Sided Tables with Round Tables
Kids aren’t as self-aware as adults yet. And given that they’re a little clumsier than us, sharp edges can be a real danger to them. With that, you might want to consider a round coffee table rather than a square or rectangle one. You don’t have to change all your tables but since the coffee table is in a place they’ll mostly be playing a lot in, it’s the one that they might get more injured on. If you can’t replace your table, you can use foam to cover up the edges.
Put Out Area Rugs
Kids love playing around and oftentimes, you’d just find them sitting on the floor, perfectly content playing with their toys. While your hardwood floors might’ve looked good bare, they aren’t exactly ideal for kids to play on. To solve this, place some area rugs over the areas your child is prone to playing on. You can also opt for a carpet. Area rugs are easier to clean though and there are many more style choices to choose from.
Use Durable Fabrics
No matter how much you tell your kids to be careful around your fabrics, accidents are always bound to happen. Tears will happen and stains will mark them. To set yourself up for success, use durable upholstery fabrics. There are plenty of types of durable fabrics but you’d generally want to go for the engineered ones rather than natural ones except leather. Leather can pretty much go against anything. Before purchasing anything though, do your research and make sure your fabric choice matches your current home situation and lifestyle.
Or Slipcovers
Aside from replacing your old fabrics with more durable fabrics, you can use slipcovers. They’re great for protecting your furniture against scratches, spills, dirt, and whatnot. Once they get dirty, you can simply take them off and throw them in the wash. You also have the option to choose between loose-fitting or tight-fitting slipcovers to match your style.
Add Extra Storage Under Tables and Benches
Parents would know how much storage you’ll suddenly need once a kid comes into the house. Aside from your own things, you now have toys, craft items, clothes, and other kid things you need to store. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to nab some extra storage from underneath your tables and benches. Get some baskets or boxes that are big enough to fit these spaces and use these to store items you’d want to put away at the end of every day. They’re out of sight but they’re also very easy to access for your kids.
Secure Bookshelves to the Wall
Kids have a tendency to climb and reach for things way above their heads. And though you might warn or forbid them, we all know how curiosity can take over. If your bookshelves or other similar furniture are unstable, they can easily topple over and injure the little ones. To avoid this, secure shelves or other tall furniture to the wall. This way, they won’t budge even if your kid tries their mightiest to push and tug.
