When planning to add a baby to your life, you would like to make your home baby-friendly and safe. Baby-proof does not necessarily have to mean compromising on style. Baby-proofing can always be managed with selective choices and smart adjustments in a living space in such a manner that there is no compromise on the beauty of interior design. Here’s the guide to baby-proof while being both functional and stylish.
1. Choose Curved Furniture
Sharp edges are one of the hazards found in homes with babies. This can be best limited by getting furniture with rounded edges. Your coffee tables, chairs, and cabinets can be sharp but so curved that they will give your home a flowy feel.
Tip: If you have already purchased furniture with sharp edges, just guard your corners to make them baby-friendly.
2. Furniture and appliance fixing
Most babies love roaming around in the house by climbing on furniture pieces, which is a bit hazardous as they tend to slip. Secure heavy furniture such as dressers, bookshelves, and televisions by attaching furniture straps to walls away from accidents for the safety of your little one.
Tip: Anchor furniture to the walls of rooms where your baby will spend most of his or her time to prevent furniture from becoming projectiles. Some of the most common places to anchor furniture include living rooms, bedrooms, and nurseries.
3. Non-Toxic Paints and Materials
Babies like to touch and taste everything, including furniture and walls! So, remember to use non-toxic paints and furniture materials, just in case your little one becomes interested in examining those with his mouth.
Tip: Search for environmentally friendly paint options and furniture made from natural or non-toxic materials that suit your interior design.
4. Use easy-to-clean fabrics
Accidents happen, so choose fabrics that are easy to clean, and consider hardy stain-resistant materials, such as leather or easy-to-clean fabrics, for chairs and other furniture. Removable and machine-washable slipcovers are another smart choice for baby-proof homes.
Tip: Dark colors and bold patterns will hide small stains, keeping your space appearing fresher.
5. Cover Electrical Outlets
Secure Electrical Outlets One of the prime works of baby-proofing involves securing the electrical outlets. Utilize outlet covers so that babies will not insert their fingers or objects into the sockets. Try to find dashing, minimalistic covers that come with colors that just fit your house’s interior.
Tip: Try to consider the childproofing plugs that come in colors similar to your wall for an aesthetic look in the house.
6. Installing Baby Gates
Baby gates help keep your baby away from other unsuitable rooms in the house. Many people install baby gates around the kitchen or bathroom as well as down the stairs to prevent any such incidences. The gate must be robust and easy to open with hinges at the bottom and top of a staircase. Perhaps because of the functional and modern aesthetic types, contemporary baby gates can effortlessly blend into contemporary interior designs.
Tip: Use pressure-mounted gates that will not damage walls or door frames, especially if you are in a rented apartment.
7. Position Small Objects Out of Reach
Babies will put anything in their mouths, so they can easily choke if they see small items lying around, such as small pieces of decor, remote controls, and household tools. Limit access to these by placing them up high and ideally having the drawers and doors with child-proof locks.
Tip: Use storage baskets or bins that are decorative to keep things out of the way as you maintain a clutter-free and stylish space.
8. Choose Non-Slip Children-Friendly Area Rug
Area rugs can make a hard floor softer and cushion falls if there are any, but make sure the rug is not slippery. Then use rugs that soften the touch, and non-toxic materials would be good. When there are accidents with spills, the easier the more favorable it is for a machine-wash rug for a house that contains a baby.
Tip: Neutral-colored rugs with a soft, plush texture work well with just about any interior design style, providing both safety and comfort.
FAQ
What are the baby-proofing basics for my living room?
Secure your furniture to the walls, cover sharp edges with guards, use outlet covers, and remove any objects that may provide a choking hazard.
How do I protect my little one from sharp furniture edges?
You can choose furniture with rounded edges, or you can put soft corner guards to cushion the sharp edges of coffee tables and chairs, etc.
How to keep electrical outlets out of the baby's reach
Use cover plates or outlet covers with plugs that would disallow your baby from stuffing objects inside the outlets. Get them in matching colors for the walls in your home.
How to anchor furniture in a baby-proofed home
Secure heavy furniture such as bookshelves and dressers using furniture straps or other types of anchors to prevent furniture tipping.
How do I make my floors baby-safe to play on?
Use soft, rubber-backed rugs or carpeting that cushion a fall. Select machine-washable rugs in non-toxic materials for ease of cleaning.
