If you’re bringing a child into the world, then it makes sense to make a few modifications around the home, for the sake of safety and convenience. While you might be able to get away with relatively few modifications during the first few months, they’ll start to become necessary as the baby begins to crawl around – and essential once they’ve started to walk.
Have a dedicated area for play
You’ll want to set boundaries so that your child doesn’t feel entitled to roam around the house during playtime. The play area can be just about anywhere in the home, but the more popular areas tend to be either the child’s bedroom or the living space. As they get older, this space might be attuned to their needs and tastes. You might create a space for musical instruments, or a desk for writing, drawing, and other hobbies.
Make the home feel like their space, too
Your home might still belong to you, but the fact is that you’re sharing it with your child, now. You should therefore give them a say in how it’s decorated, and make sure that any hanging decorations reflect their personality. Framed family photos, artworks, and other items can add that touch of personality, and help to make everyone feel as though they belong.
Think about the flooring
When you’re thinking about the flooring, you’ll need to balance a few considerations. It’ll need to be soft enough that your child won’t injure themselves when they fall over backward while learning to walk. But at the same time, it’ll need to be able to repel germs and stray bodily fluids.
A good solution here is to use area mats to create a temporary space for play. You can take them away and clean them whenever necessary, and you won’t need to base your long-term flooring choices on the short-term needs of your child.
Use furniture with multiple functions
The more space you have available in your home, the better it will be for your children. Look for purpose-built living-room furniture: sofas that double as storage, made-to-measure wardrobes, and hanging shelves in out-of-reach places. You might also think about the sharp corners in your home and the materials from which your furniture is made. That glass coffee table in your living space might make you a little bit anxious when the baby’s first walking around.
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