I love renovating and redecorating, but with kids around, it’s no easy feat. Juggling parenting with contractors, dust, mess, and potential hazards can be a minefield. The good news is, it’s not impossible!
If you plan your renovation carefully and commit to being patient throughout the journey, you can successfully overhaul your home without breaking the bank or your sanity.
Read on as we explore seven key planning tips for your next kid-friendly home renovation project.
1. Be Realistic with Your Budget
The costs of renovations quickly snowball if not kept in check. You’ll need to do your research to create an accurate budget. This gives you an opportunity to get multiple quotes from installers and contractors, explore the costs of different materials, and brush up on your DIY skills if needed.
Remember to include a contingency fund in your budget for unexpected costs, but don’t exceed your overall budget if you can help it. You can always add additional upgrades and finishing touches later when you’ve saved up a bit more.
2. Create Child-Friendly Spaces
Your renovations should be based on your family’s needs, desires, and favorite activities. Assess the parts of your home where your children spend the most time, and consider upgrading these spaces with a few thoughtful and functional updates for their benefit. Think comfortable reading nooks, ample play areas, and durable furniture pieces with washable surfaces and finishes.
Older kids may also appreciate a quiet and versatile study area or a bedroom renovation that meets their needs as they become teenagers and young adults. Focusing your efforts and budget on these all-important spaces is a great way to create a home environment where the whole family can thrive.
3. Childproof Wherever Possible
If you have young kids in the house, you’ll already know just how important childproofing is. This should be an essential consideration during any kid-friendly renovation. Consider adding features like safety gates at the bottom and top of staircases, covering sharp edges and corners with protective bumpers, and securing heavy furniture pieces to the walls or floors to prevent falls and potential injuries.
If you’re undertaking a major renovation, options like non-slip floors in kitchens, hallways and bathrooms and cordless blinds can go a long way in creating a safer environment for your family.
4. Get the Kids Involved
Kids are creative, and while they may complicate renovations in some ways, they can come up with some brilliant ideas to take your home to a new level. Involve them in the planning process by asking for their ideas around features, furnishings, colors, and themes.
Let them pick out paint colors, accessories, and accents. If they’re older, you can even rope them in to assist with demolition—as long as you’re there to supervise!
5. Plan for the Long Term
Children grow up fast, and their needs constantly evolve as they move from toddlers to preteens, adolescents and beyond. Plan for these changes ahead of time and save yourself some money in the long run by choosing furnishings that can adapt to your family’s changing needs.
Consider modular pieces that can be restructured and playrooms you can upgrade into teen study zones or guest bedrooms with minimal effort and investment. These flexible renovations can also add significant value to your home, so it’s a good idea to review your home insurance to ensure your investments are covered.
6. Prioritize Functional Storage Space
When considering how to preserve your sanity, investing in smart storage solutions is a must. The right storage options will help your whole family keep toys, games, books, clothing, and personal possessions neatly stored and organized.
These solutions can serve multiple purposes, like ottoman storage beds, floating shelving, or seating with hidden compartments. Choosing multi-functional pieces saves space and money, not to mention providing the peace of mind that only a clutter-free home can bring.
7. Relax Your Standards
It’s only natural to want a trendy, Instagram-worthy home. However, this may not be the most realistic vision for a home renovation with kids. Your home should be designed and furnished for family living and all the activities and demands it entails.
In light of this, relax your standards and opt for durable materials and easy-to-clean finishes over delicate and breakable options. Washable satin-finish paints in colors that help to obscure stains are a great choice for growing families, as are flooring solutions that can withstand spills, scuffs, scrapes, and mud.
The Secret To A Successful Home Renovation
Renovating with kids may sound like a challenging endeavor, but it doesn’t need to be. Use these tips and tricks to create functional, family-friendly living spaces that meet the needs of everyone in your home!
