Building a Child-Friendly Home
When you’re ready to build a new home for your family, there are so many decisions to make. Choosing a design that suits your family’s lifestyle is probably the most important decision you will make, and if you have children there are a few important things to consider to ensure your home is child-friendly. Thinking about what will make your home suitable for your kids during each stage of their lives is something you should factor in to how you design each room of your home, and we’ve got some great tips to help you below.
Floorplan
Choose a home design that includes an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area so that you can still supervise the kids when you’re in the kitchen. Open-plan spaces allow kids room to play, relax, and even do homework under the watchful eyes of a parent while still giving everyone space to spread out and do their own thing. Another important thing to consider is the layout of the bedrooms. If you have a baby or small children you may want their bedrooms to be close to the master suite. However, if your kids are heading into their teenage years, perhaps a little space between your room and theirs is a good thing!
Fixtures and Fittings
Ensuring your fixtures and fittings are child-friendly doesn’t mean they have to be utilitarian and without style! It’s important to make sure things like sinks, vanities, benchtops, and tile edging are safe by installing items with rounded edges and taps that swivel. Non-slip tiles are a must for chaotic bath times or teens who have a tendency to splash water everywhere as they shower! The main bathroom should always have a bath tub for young kids, and while it may not get a lot of use in your kids’ teenage years, it will come in handy again when grandkids start visiting further down the track.
Finishes and Furniture
Durable is the key word here! Selecting flooring and benchtops that are hard wearing to keep up with the constant foot traffic and activity of a large family is well worth the investment when you build your home. When it comes to furnishing your home, buying furniture that is kid-friendly and can easily be wiped, washed, or cleaned should factor in to your purchasing decision. Large items like couches, tables, and beds should be sturdy and made from solid materials so that they can endure bumps, jumps, and scrapes for many years to come.
Play Spaces and Chill Out Zones
Little kids have so many toys, and when they’re small, their things tend to stay in the common areas of the house where they play close to their parents. A house design that includes an additional space that can function as a play room can help contain the mess of toys scattered everywhere, and later on this can be converted into a rumpus or media room for older children to relax in with their friends.
Outdoor Space
Kids love to run around outside so having a home with enough outdoor space for them to burn off some energy is important in a family home. Having an alfresco area also means you can sit and relax outside and still be able to watch the kids run around. Creating an outdoor space that includes non-slip tiles and is at least partially shaded from the sun will create the perfect space for families who love indoor/outdoor living.
Building a new family home to suit you and your children means you’ll have to take a few things into consideration to ensure you have a home that suits your lifestyle while still being child-friendly. Working with your builder to find a design that will suit your children from their baby and toddler years right through to their teen and young adult years will create the perfect family home. To see more home design ideas, visit the Hotondo Homes website today.
