Remodeling When Expecting – How to Make Your Renovations Flow Effortlessly While Keeping Children Safe

So, you have remodeling on the brain? When you want to remodel your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom and at the same time you’re expecting the pitter patter of feet walking across your new linoleum floors, you have some things to consider. How creative will you need to get to accommodate your needs for style and the functional needs of keeping your children and/or infant safe? The truth about remodeling with children in mind is this: you can enjoy redesigning your home to your heart’s content while also keeping it kid-friendly. How, exactly? Here are some tips for creating harmony for both and eliminating worries and risk in between.

Plan Ahead of Time

If you’re finally taking the plunge to remodel, you don’t want to be doubtful about which floor, cabinet or overall bedroom design you should go with. Your style should reflect you in every way, however eclectic, traditional or minimal that may be! The only ingredient that makes your situation different from the average Joe remodeling their home is you have some safety issues to consider. How will your baby be most protected and does your style have to suffer? If you expecting a little one in the near future, consider how much time it takes to renovate. You don’t want the hassle of caring for a newborn baby when you have a construction team moving in and out of the kitchen. As a general rule of thumb, a kitchen of average size (175 square feet) will take three months to complete. Don’t disregard how long it takes to plan, however! Planning ahead of time is key, and allowing the renovations to be completed (with time to spare before the birth of your baby) will ensure smooth sailing, from every step of your remodeling efforts to warming up your baby’s bottles for a three am feeding.

Block Off Rooms Under Construction

Older children require a different kind of planning. If you have toddlers or school age children, remember that they lead with curious eyes and ears. If you have a construction team day in and out for three months redesigning your bedroom, expect your curious tots to want to be their supervisor and refusing to be anywhere else! That means that the drills lying around, plywood and nails can be easy for them to discover and get into, posing an immediate hazard you may not be used to. With older children, it’s important to think five steps ahead of how their curious minds work, and block off the room under construction. If your kitchen is being remodeled, plan to have a small refrigerator set aside stocked with your kid’s favorite drinks, snacks and light meals. That way, they can still help themselves to the things they need without being tempted to wreak havoc in the construction “danger zone” area of your home.

Communicate, Communicate!

Communication is key, and fundamental when it comes to remodeling with children around. If you want to limit the amount of time that a renovation project extends and how many temper tantrums your children have when they want to get into the very room that’s under construction, communicate. Let your contractor know your expectations from the very beginning. Be clear about your budget and time requirements. Allow a cushion for both (as very few remodeling projects don’t go over time and budget) but set your standards too. Communicate with your children, and let them feel like they are part of the process as much as you are, while insisting on safety first and foremost.

Author Bio: Heather J. writes on behalf of Design55, your source for modern living room furniture and great remodel accessories!

By: Ethan Steadman

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