Design a Home That is Safe for Your Child

When we think of a home that is safe for children, one that mimics the look of a playgroup room tends to come to mind. Spaces painted with block colours, low-rising plastic furniture, and foam mats are thought to be essential pieces to incorporate into a child-centric interior design. However, designing a chic home with the kids at the forefront of design choices is not as difficult as it seems. Two key interior design queries must be considered: will my child be safe? Will the furniture and space remain in prime condition for long? In this article, we look at interior design ideas and tips that will answer both these questions and aid you in turning your home into a stylish child-friendly space. 

Colourful Home Decor

Neutral colours such as beige and taupe tend to be shunned by parents out of fear that it may be stained. However, neutrals are the prime colours to utilise when attempting to have your ideal home decor coexist with a child-friendly space. Neutral colours are extremely flexible, so other bold elements in the space will pop. Given the current array of paint options, opt for wash paints that can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. 

Have fun with other bold neutral colours like black and grey by using chalkboard paint that can double as a feature wall and a play area for the kids. 

Open Concept Interior Design

Having kids within sight is one of the best ways to ensure that your child will be safe at home. Open concept floor plans not only enhance the level of safety by allowing you to constantly keep an eye on them, but also allows for more space to experiment with interior design ideas. Offering a blank slate, you can play around with colours, themes, and furniture without sacrificing good design.

Home Decor that Doubles as Storage Pieces

Conforming to the motto that less-is-more, and abiding by the concept for multifunctionality, will create a home where clutter is practically non-existent. Built-ins and wall-mounted furniture adds organisation, function, and offers an architectural presence to a room. Intermingling beanbags and storage benches amongst other living room furniture is a genius interior design hack and styling tip for the design conscious. 

Practical Living Room Furniture

Before making big purchases, parents have to ask themselves “is this going to last?”. If not the case, you will have to reconcile with your home decor choices that are visually appealing with the reality of having children at home. Making a practical decision when selecting big furniture will thus be your safest bet. So, what makes a specific furniture a ‘sensible’ one per se? From materials and colour to shapes, home decor that checks all the boxes for durability, stain, and water-resistance, and ‘child-friendliness’ will be a pragmatic choice. Let us look into each of these requirements:

1. Materials 

Leather Sofa with Adjustable Headrests

For big furniture like sofas, selecting materials that can take a hit yet still look pristine should be your go-to. Surely, it is endearing to own pieces that have a patina, but having them look wonderful and undamaged is a whole other ball game. Materials like cotton tend to stain easily. Therefore, opting for materials like leather, textiline, and vinyl which are much more durable, and water-resistant would be a good investment in the long run. 

A common misconception amongst parents when choosing the right material for big furniture pieces, like sofas, is to avoid fabric so that they last longer. Parents doubt if it is possible to have an easy-maintenance fabric sofa and opt for other materials instead. It is important to note however, with advanced technology and the revoluntionisation of interior design and furniture industry, new materials are engineered constantly. One such innovative fabric textile is FabricGard. With stain-resistant properties, removing spills and stains becomes extremely easy with the simple use of water. Whether it be food spills and accidents caused by the kids or even wine or ink stains by friendly and friends, a FabricGard upholstered fabric sofa or even bedframe, will be the perfect addition to your home. Say goodbye to harsh detergents that may damage the fabric or re-upholstering your entire sofa. To see how this genius microsuede material works, and how you can keep your home furniture safe, learn more with this video.

2. Colours and Shapes

In a space like the living room where most of the action takes place, accidents are bound to happen. From spills and doodling to trips and falls, colours and shapes of living room furniture must be taken into account so that both your child and home remain safe. Light colours tend to show dirt, so be sure to consider dark-coloured furniture so that spills and stains are kept hidden. Shapes that are rounded and smooth-edged are child-friendly and also adds in some softness to the room. 

These interior design ideas and tips will guarantee a safe and happy home for you and your children. So get creative and play with colours, shapes, and styles.