Childproofing Your Home

They say home design is all about style, comfort, and following your own tastes. But that can all change when you bring kids into the picture. As any parent will attest to, children require you to put more importance on safety and quality, not to mention price. But that doesn\'t mean that visual appeal should take a backseat. With all the options available today, there\'s no reason you can design a practical, child-safe home and maintain your décor theme at the same time.

The biggest and perhaps most obvious child hazard in the home is high surfaces. If you have stairs, tables, and shelves, make sure they\'re well out of reach of your kids. Many states require you to install stair guards, which close off any high surfaces where they can fall down. Pay special attention to the living room, as they tend to contain "climbable" furniture that your toddler can easily reach.

Your flooring should also be a primary concern when child-proofing your home. Even with safety precautions, you can\'t prevent accidental slips and falls. And when it does happen, you\'ll want your floor to cushion it. Carpets and area rugs are ideal for rooms with high activity, such as living rooms and playrooms. Cork and leather floors are also considered "soft" materials and work well for cushioning. And since kids get more active as they grow, you\'ll also need to keep an eye out for quality.

For the bedroom, choose versatile furniture pieces that you can adjust to your child\'s changing needs. Instead of getting a new bed every time they grow a few inches, just get one that\'s too big-that way, you only get one big piece and not have to worry about it until five years later. Make sure there are guardrails on the sides to keep them from falling, and check your local guidelines to see if it\'s industry-approved.

Finally, invest in good storage. Kids tend to accumulate a lot of stuff from toys and books to clothing, and they add up faster than you think. Organize your child\'s room once in a while, keeping the most commonly used items within easy reach and leaving the outgrown ones in a separate box.

Making your home child-friendly doesn\'t have to be costly or difficult. Here are some simple tips to help you childproof your home without giving up style or practicality. Find more information about child-friendly furniture.