From Toddlers To Teenagers: Helpful Home Adaptations For Any Age

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Our home should be where we feel relaxed, safe, and secure. But it can also be a place where we have lots of fun! If we have a new family or perhaps our family seem to be growing up too fast, it can be easy to become overwhelmed. There are often worries and concerns on your mind that prevent you from working methodically. Jobs around the house can feel too time-consuming or even be overlooked completely. But adapting the house to be a fun space for the family at any age doesn’t have to be stressful. It can simple, affordable, and even be therapeutic. The time we invest in preparing our home now means that we can spend more time doing the important things later. Bonding with our baby, chatting to our older children, and relaxing with our partner or other family members.

Having a checklist on hand with a few easy changes or additions to make can be helpful. We can see exactly what needs to be done and can allocate a time frame. This will depend upon our budget, energy levels, and work commitment. Tailor it to suit you and don’t allow yourself to feel too rushed. It should be an enjoyable process, and you can prioritize as you see fit. The suggestions below can help inspire you on areas of the house and home living to emphasize. Stay calm, work at your own pace, and enjoy it!

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Child-Proofing


This is a widely used term that generally refers to making things safe. A few mishaps and tumbles are perhaps inevitable if your children are young. But major hazards should always be addressed ahead of time. Try to think about the height and eye level that your little ones might have, and then move on to considering the older children. If the level is almost on the floor, then wires and sockets can be an issue. More of us that ever before have electronics, computers and chargers. These can easily become tangled and then hang down in a child’s view. Not only may they pull heavy and expensive items down. But they may also become tangled in the wires or be vulnerable to electric shock. Children don’t have to be left alone for long to get up to mischief! It is better not to risk it. Use a cable tidier, lift wires onto tables, or keep them in a box out of sight. Electric hazards are often prevalent but they are not the only thing to be considered. It can be helpful to have a few lockable cabinets in the home where dangerous liquids like bleach, cleaning solutions, and alcohol can be kept. It may also be wise to keep especially sharp objects in here too. It can be within easy reach for an adult and have a simple lock. But it is better to avoid temptation altogether for children or young people than to persuade them to stay away. We can seek extra advice online if we feel we haven’t addressed all possible areas of safety.

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Adapting Bedrooms

Decorating a child’s bedroom can be lots of fun for both you and your little one. Picking out fun fabrics, colors and toys is always exciting. But when it comes to adapting a room to young adult or teenage tastes, it can seem more difficult. Fortunately, the principles are more or less the same. If you communicate and work as a team, they will feel included and respected at any age. Teenagers will often need bigger beds or want to transition from bunk beds to a bed and desk, for example. Something like a kids bed buying guide online can be great inspiration for the parent of a younger child. But teenagers will appreciate a bit more collaboration. Why not pick out a few examples that you think are suitable, and then ask them to choose? That way they will still feel that they have choice and control but within certain limitations. Bedrooms can quickly become short on space. Especially if our teenagers then ask for desks and computers for school, and their own televisions to relax with friends! Adding fun, comfortable details like blankets and beanbags can make the room more stylish and inviting for any age. Teenagers may wish to add their own posters or favorite photographs. Adhesive strips that won’t damage paintwork can be less permanent than frames or nails. Many teenagers change their minds and their rooms often. So items that don’t require too much commitment or permanent alterations are a good choice!

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The Garden

Many of us are aware of the benefits of getting sunlight and fresh air in the great outdoors. But it can be hard to achieve a balance with computers, television and other electronics competing for our attention. A fun and well-kept garden can become a wonderful space for the whole family to enjoy. Little ones can play in paddling pools and with toys in the grass. Older children can relax with friends and snacks. The grown ups can also unwind in the afternoon sun with a glass of wine or a barbecue with friends and colleagues. Creating spaces in your home that attract all ages will help you to bond. Even if you’re doing separate activities, you will all be together.

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The Living Room

The lounge or living room is the perfect place to congregate for a family movie night or relaxing evening. To make it more suitable for busy family life, the addition of extra storage can be a lifesaver. Stackable boxes can be easily stored with the minimum use of space. Some storage is even on wheels and can be rolled into gaps under the sofa or seating. Whatever we use, extra storage and boxes can help us tidy quickly and efficiently. Having a special toy box in the room means the kids will always have somewhere to play supervised. But the specific box might also encourage them to get into the habit of tidying away when they have finished. Comfortable seating is a must and durable or wipe-clean coffee tables can take the hassle out of smears and spills.

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