Tips for a family friendly home

Whether you are starting or growing your family, your home must adapt to new arrivals. Regardless of whether you live in a semi-detached house, condo, villa, apartment or palace, every home needs to make changes to become child-proof.

The first thing is to make safety a priority.  Whilst the interior design of your home is important, safety should be the focal point when preparing for a new arrival to your household.

This includes installing childproof gates at the top and bottom of staircases; making sure swimming pools are surrounded by a secure fence; and keeping anything out of reach that may be deemed dangerous.

Today, it is possible to buy shockproof switches and sockets for all electrical outlets. Curious kids are often drawn to plugholes, so invest in advanced designs with automatic shutters, which make it impossible for your children to access the sockets.

? Don’t scrimp on storage

Children tend to need a lot of things - from toys to clothes, strollers to cribs. Smart storage solutions will not only help make space for all of their essentials, but provide an out-of-reach area for those precious pieces of pottery.

Make sure you have enough room, by installing additional shelves, baskets and hangers, and making the most of underbed storage space.

And it is inevitable that walls will gather food stains and crayon marks over time. Get ahead of the game by introducing blackboard paint to your interior design plan. This way, drawings can be done on the walls, and you can even use the space to leave notes and lists.

If you have always dreamt of having a circular bed, now would be the time to make the investment. Sharp corners are common enemies for small children, who often bump their heads when exploring the house.

If circular furniture is not your style, buy special edge protectors and corner guards to avoid incidents.

Consider colour

Whilst white may once have been your colour of choice, you cannot escape the fact that it is not practical for your family home.

Preparing your home for a new addition often means moving away from more neutral shades.

Darker coloured carpets will hide those muddy footprints as your children get older and more adventurous, whilst bolder colours are said to stimulate brain growth and development in newborns.

Upcycle

When your children are old enough, your favourite coffee table will be turned upside down and used as a boat, and the sofa will become a trampoline. To avoid the risk of ruining fancy furniture, modify old pieces that can handle the wear and tear.

It is important to create individual spaces that your kids can call their own, including dens, arts and craft areas and playrooms.

Make sure you have a place for the whole family to spend time together. Whether this is a bigger dining table, or a comfortable, relaxing space in your living room, as your family grows, your home space needs to adapt.

-Lamudi is a global property portal focusing on emerging markets.