subject: Interior Decorator's Guide To Decorating Your Home With A Toddler Around [print this page] You have seen the home decorating shows that feature perfectly placed knick knacks and throw blankets folded to within an inch of their life and draped carefully over the back of the sofa. You are likely thinking: they obviously do not have small kids!
The great news is that toddlers can coexist with a well-decorated home. You will just have to be more careful in your decorating choices to be sure that both home and child are safe. Here are some tips to help you get started on the road to a well decorated, toddler-friendly home.
1. Safety is Invariably First
While you may want to have crystal pieces resting on your end tables, it is just not a good idea with toddlers in the house. The first priority must be safety, so no glass or sharp object should be within the reach of curious little hands.
2. Keep it Up High
Concentrate your decorating efforts in spots that are not affected by the children. For example, select large outdoor wall art, wall tapestries or display your grandmas china on high shelving in a tall, enclosed cabinet. Also, you can still display your cherished crystal pieces on mantels or in cabinets where little fingers can't reach them.
3. Heavy Metal
For decorative items at floor level, consider metal pieces. One can't chew, stab, or otherwise ruin metal. It can generally be sat on, drooled upon and written on with little if any lasting effects. There are wonderful metal home decor items available at many home decorating stores and online retailers. Select metal pieces that are fairly heavy to increase the safety factor. Your little one will unable to move the object. This eliminates any potential dangerous misuse of the item, such as heaving it down the stairs at a sibling or family pet.
4. If You Cannot Beat Them Then Join Them
Kids live in your house, and they are not going away! Instead of fighting this fact with your decorating choices, why not make the most of it? Paint one wall (or a portion of one wall) with chalkboard paint. This will allow your little Picasso an area where he can freely practice his art. On the same note, your coffee table can be outfitted with butcher block paper. Roll out some more when it is overflowing with colorful drawings! Take some of your kids brightest and best artwork and have it professionally framed. You may be pleasantly surprised by how much these small masterpieces can add to your space in terms of decor. One way to get some art that will work with your room is to give your little guy or gal an array of crayons or markers in colors that will complement your decor. When they are finished, you will have artwork that is a perfect color fit for your room! Also, you can say that you know the artist quite personally! While perhaps not appropriate in every room, these are great decorating ideas for kids rooms and the family room. You may like these ideas so much that you incorporate them in other rooms as well.
5. Be Realistic, But Happy
You live in a home, not a museum. Your sofa will definitely, at some point in the future be covered in crumbs and boast a lasting Kool-Aid stain. You will find magic marker art on your newly painted walls and your fabulous throw pillows will find their way into many "forts" made with your best sheets. The really good news is that you have one or more toddlers running around, lighting up your life and making you smile. Sadly, they will not be underfoot forever, and the day will come when you will have the freedom to decorate any way that you desire. When that time arrives, you will undoubtedly trade crystal or fine china for just a few more years with your sticky-faced and crumb-covered toddler!
