The cleanliness and safety of your home for your kids should be your priority when planning your interior design. But it does not mean that you can totally give up on the style you want to achieve.
Although it takes a keen eye and lots of planning and consideration to balance the beauty and safety of your space, it is definitely worth the effort.
Here are some simple, achievable tips to make your home beautifully kid-friendly.
1. Choose cushioned sofas for your open plan living room
With an open-plan living room, you can maximise the space where you can bond with your kids. This also helps you keep an eye on them without walls or bulky furniture obstructing your sight. To still keep your living room compact and well-put together, get a sweet and cosy cushioned couch for your living room. The luxurious leather sofa is made up of sturdy material that is easy to clean. However, if your kids love to scratch surfaces, this material might not be the best for you.
Microfiber sofas, on the other hand, can be cleaned with water and compatible solvents. If you are a little hesitant to get an upholstered sofa for your space, opt for a dark-coloured fabric or leather couch and some touches of colour with your throw pillows and other home accessories to balance the look. Save the silks for your master’s bedroom.
2. Go for round edged furniture
As much as possible, you want to get rid of sharp edges in your home when you have kids. A good round coffee table and a soft-edged dining table will help you feel at ease even when your child goes around your living room and dining area. To make dining more fun for your kids, go for sturdy, stackable dining chairs with armrests.
3. Choose smooth and sturdy materials for your furniture
One thing that compromises the beauty of your home is the random scribbles and scratches on your furniture. To prevent this, choose smooth, easy-to-clean materials for your furniture. For your tabletop and television consoles, the main targets of scribbles, getting furniture with sintered stone finishes will greatly help you with your cleaning and maintenance. Sintered stone is also scratch-resistant and has a smoother edge than other furniture materials.
4. Create a designated play area
Designate a specific play area where you place all the books and toys in one place. Roll out a soft mat and make sure to get rid of sharp edges and small items. In this way, you can ensure that all the mess is contained in one place. Welcome accent items like a cosy bean bag.
5. Consider satin and semi-gloss paints for easy cleaning
For your door and window, consider getting semi-gloss paint, which is highly resistant and easy to clean. For the walls, a smooth and easy to clean satin paint will work well for your kids’ room. When painting the walls of your kids’ room, make sure to get odourless and non-toxic paint since kids are more susceptible to allergies, skin irritation, and other harmful reactions to standard paint materials.
6. Make sure to have a clean and well-ventilated flat
Aside from your furniture, the cleanliness of your home is paramount to ensuring your kids’ safety.
Dirt and clutter can contribute to the discomfort of your kids when staying at home. Get rid of indoor pollutants and allergens that linger in your home by setting up regular cleaning activities. Air cooling solutions and air purifiers with heavy-duty filters will help you maintain safe air quality. Regular vacuum cleaning of your sofa, carpet, and other surfaces is also important, especially if you have pets.
Train your kids to clean up by setting up trash bins near their play area. You can also arrange boxes or shelves where they can put their toys and books after using them.
If you make it fun enough, you can make cleaning and organising an educational bonding time with your kids.
7. Get pillows and bedding with anti-dust mite properties
For adults, the bedroom is the perfect sanctuary to sleep and rest, but for kids, it is another playroom. Think mattress trampolines and blanket forts. It is also a place where they listen to their favourite bedtime stories. There are lots of activities happening in a kid’s bedroom, which is why it is important to carefully consider the items that you use in your bedroom.
The skin of your kids is more sensitive than an adult’s skin. Aside from fun and colourful pillowcases and bedsheets, it is important to choose hypoallergenic and breathable bedding for your children's comfort. Latex pillows and bolsters provide the right bounce and comfort. Latex pillows also have their natural hypoallergenic properties. Climate-friendly and hypoallergenic mattress protectors work well at ensuring that your kids won’t get rashes due to sweat caused by heat.
8. Choose child-safe appliances and furniture
Kids love to explore. Their curiosity is part of their learning process. If it’s time to involve your kids in simple home activities, you have to make sure that your items are safe for child use or at least have child-lock features so your children won’t access them easily.
Get appliances in Singapore with auto-shut-off features or innovative air conditioner units that you can access through your phone. As for cooking, choose an induction hob that only transfers heat through magnets. This will reduce the risk of getting burned by accidentally touching the surface. An induction hob’s LED feature helps create a visual cue that you are cooking and that a surface is not supposed to be touched. However, precautions should still be taken when you let your kids, at the right age, help you in the kitchen.
A two-door refrigerator makes it easier for kids to access food without exerting more effort to open the whole thing on one side.
The most important thing to do is inform your little ones of the dos and don’ts when handling appliances. It is important to instruct them properly and guide them while they explore new things.
9. Keep your home clutter and hazard free
No glitter allowed.
To ensure the safety of your home, you have to get rid of the unnecessary clutter in it. Properly organise the items that they are allowed to use, like the colouring items and toys. Hazardous items like paint, knives, and other sharp tools shall be kept in secured boxes and placed on cabinets that children cannot reach. Get rid of or properly seal small items like glitter, marbles, and coins.
10. Make your home stay fun
While keeping your home safe, it is also important to make it fun! Do DIYs with your kids, frame them, and hang them on your accent wall. Make children's items a part of your home’s design. Be creative in organising your home. Get colour-coded storage to train your kids, and choose soft and playful seats for their reading nook.
