Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.
Decorating your home to match the perfect vision in your head is already a difficult task, but adding children into the mix can complicate things even further.
The safety of our children is the primary concern in any family space; however, you also deserve a stylish haven to relax in after a hard day’s work! Here are our top tips on how to keep a balance between the two needs:
Unavoidable Safety Precautions
Despite wanting our homes to look like a Pinterest board, we all know that child safety is the main priority in any functional family home. Before we discuss ways to balance interior aesthetics and childproofing, there are a few precautions that should always come first.
If your little ones are just starting to explore the world on their feet, adding a baby gate or other barriers to prevent contact with hazards is a necessity. Heavy furniture should also be carefully secured so that it can’t topple over, and any chemicals must be locked away.
Lighting
Lighting is the most important factor when dictating an ambience in any type of space, however many fixtures can be rigid and sometimes dangerous. Try to choose curved structures rather than sharp ones to minimise injuries.
For bedrooms, dimmable and gentle lighting is preferable, as they will help your little ones to wind down as well as create a cosy atmosphere. There are many visually appealing nightlights too, and they don’t have to be confined to the bedroom! Projector lights have soared in popularity within the last few years due to their adaptability.
Another great idea is to replace your candles with battery LED candles. This eradicates any risk of fires and burns, all whilst having a positive environmental and aesthetic impact.
Open Space
Maximising space is practical and charming for family common rooms. Having lots of room for group meals, activities and film nights is ideal, due to the communicative and welcoming environment it creates.
Storage solutions are also useful to encourage open-plan living. Having kids means having lots of extra clutter, which can look untidy in open spaces. We recommend using storage bins, drawers and baskets as these are the perfect containers for kiddie chaos.
Minimise Harsh Surfaces
Sharp corners need to be covered in order to keep your children safe, but this doesn’t have to be unattractive. Instead, opt for more curved objects when buying new furniture for your home, or buy corner protectors that match your existing colour scheme.
You can also use soft furnishings to protect little knees and elbows from hard floors. Having luxury items around clumsy tots is always a risk, which is why we recommend buying your soft furnishings second hand. You will find some unique pieces and you won’t have to worry about expensive cushions or rugs being ruined!
Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.
