There’s something about family houses that lets you know whether they have recently welcomed a new family member. Some parents think that they won’t be able to decorate their home as they wish – not until their child grows up and goes to college. However, having a child doesn’t mean that you have to let chaos take over your household. You can still embrace the fun and chic side of decorating while you also create a safe space for your little one. Keep reading to find out our tips on how to decorate your home to be stylish and toddler-friendly at the same time. Make sure you visit Parent Center Network for more inspirations!
Slipcovers
Toddlers are adorable when they walk around unsteadily and babble. Sticky food stains or spills, however, are not. They are also unavoidable, but you don’t have to deal with dirty furniture all the time. Use a slipcover to protect your upholstered furniture. Whenever it gets dirty, you can slip it off easily and toss it into your washing machine. Slip on a new one and enjoy clean, stylish spaces. Slipcovers are a great choice because they are easy to clean and they come in many different colors, styles and sizes. You’ll be able to find something esthetically pleasing for your house in no time.
Ottomans
Every parent knows that sharp edges are not their childrens’ friends. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to get rid of your favorite coffee table. Nevertheless, creating a safe space for your kids is extremely important. It also means that you can think outside the box and look for new products. Ottomans are safe, large and soft. Also, they are stable and sturdy, so your toddler won’t tip over and can lean on them when needed. What’s more, they can double as coffee tables due to their flat and deeply upholstered seat. It’s a fun and original idea you may want to consider, especially with children running or crawling around.
Toy storage
Toys are important in every child’s development. There’s no doubt that toddlers love to play with them. However, children are not used to cleaning after themselves. If you don’t want to let chaos rule in your house, make sure you create a safe toy storage space for your kid. At first, you’ll be in charge of keeping things in order. However, as your children grow, you can slowly teach them how to be more responsible. You can use baskets with labels or cube bookshelves. Make sure everything has its own place and show your children how to take care of their toys. Although they may not immediately understand your keep-the-house-clean scheme, they will become more independent and cooperative.
Artificial plants and flowers
If you like to have something green in your house but you’re afraid your toddler will make a huge mess, you may decide against real plants for a while. Fake flowers and plants can add a fresh touch to your interior design. While you’re being occupied with your toddler, you don’t have to worry about watering or caring for them. What’s more, if your kid accidentally nibbles on them, you won’t panic because they’re not poisonous. This way, you ensure the safety of your children and pets, as well as save time on cleaning up if an accident happens.
Additional tip: neutral colors and black accents
If you need kid-sized furniture but you don’t want the colors to clash, make sure you choose neutral colors to blend easier with adult spaces. Customizing some pieces of furniture for your toddler is a must, but it doesn’t mean your kitchen or living room has to look like a pre-school. Your kids can have all the creative freedom they want and you can keep your interior design stylish and mature. Even better, you can add a modern twist to your home. You can start adding pieces of furniture painted black to see if it goes well with your inner interior designer feel. Black doors are very trendy and chic. Because they are dark, you won’t see dirty fingerprints or smudges. You can also opt for black chairs or tables. Don’t forget to clean them, though! Just because you can’t see it, it doesn’t mean that the dirt magically goes away.
Having a toddler at home doesn’t mean that you have to give up your interior design esthetic. You won’t be able to avoid initial chaos, spills, or food stains and you will probably keep finding toys in unexpected places from time to time. Nevertheless, while you think about buying another child-safe lock, don’t let the new situation intimidate you and keep working towards having the house of your dreams. Now, with a new addition to your family, it can only become fuller and sweeter.
Julia Łysakowska
