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Article 10-5-2010

Kid-Friendly Renovations

One of the life factors that influences a great deal of home renovation projects is children. When they arrive and as they grow older, they have changing needs and interests which are often reflected by the way that your home is arranged. Growing up brings a need for different furniture, safety parameters, and, of course, age appropriate interior design. What measures must be taken to ensure that your home renovation works for both you and your child? We recommend that you take safety, design, and flexibility into account when planning your kid-friendly home. Once you have installed your kid-friendly electrical socket covers and cabinet locks you can start to think about bigger home remodeling jobs.

• Non-toxic paints and finishes- Whether it is for aesthetics or protection of furniture, many of the things in your home will have some form of exterior coating. Look at your materials, from paint to finish for wood furniture, and make sure that they are not toxic. You can talk to salespeople or your trusted handyman to ensure that you use materials that will not have ill effects on your children when they come into contact with them. Generally speaking, you will want a material that is made from organic, as opposed to synthetic, compounds. Bear in mind that finishing for floors and adhesives foe carpet will also contain similar chemicals so be careful when you choose these products as well.
• Off Gassing- Off gassing is the process of a paint or finish releasing some its compounds as it dries. The compounds are sometimes toxic. When renovating, open doors and windows and use fans to help the substances dry. Be sure that all of your paint/finish is dry before you put the room back together and let your child play or sleep there. Paints and finishes are classified as VOC’s because of the tendency to off-gas. You can purchase materials that are low VOC or even non-VOC.
• Height- One thing that you know for sure is that your child will grow. While they may need “kid size” furniture and home additions now, children will outgrow them almost as quickly as they do their clothes. For this reason we suggest that you stick to adult-size appliances such as toilets and sinks. Do not get appliances that are suited for tall people as this is not logical but there is no need to buy a “kid’s size” toilet and sink that they will have to stoop to use once they hit middle school. Instead incorporate kid-safe stools in the bathroom and even the bedroom. You can purchase kid-size closet organizers with cubbies and install low shelves that they can use until they are tall enough to use hangers and taller dressers. Focus on less expensive yet safe additions for small children while you plan for them to get taller. 
•  Non-Toxic furnishings- You will want to dress up your home with blinds, rugs and other finishing touches that have both functional and aesthetic value. Be sure to look at what these furnishings are made of. Children will hide behind drapes and crawl around on rugs while playing. Many furnishings are made from synthetic materials, so read labels and packaging. Just like with paints and finishes, you want to buy furnishings that are made from organic materials and are not finished with harsh chemicals intended to protect the fabric. Proper washing and drying will prevent your non-toxic furnishings from being dirty or picking up foul odors, while creating a safe environment for your little ones at the same time.
• Leave room to grow- Keep in mind that you might want to make changes several times as your kids grow up. Use paint to dress up rooms as opposed to more expensive additions when appropriate. Paint is easy to change and requires less construction work. Buy beds that can adjust in height so that you can set them up lower while your child is young but raise them as they grow. We advise against completely child themed bedrooms because the cost up front is often expensive and the “investment” will be worthless once they no longer love cartoon characters or superheroes. Pictures, posters and other decorations will help create a kid-themed room that can later be transitioned.

Arranging your house until it becomes a home for the whole family is on every homeowner’s to-do list. With proper planning and advice from your expert handyman you will end up with a design that meets both your wants and your needs.

Sources:
Handyman Connection- Home Renovation
Freshome.com
Home and Garden Television
Healthy Child.org
Child Perspective.com
American Chemistry

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