Creating A Child-Friendly Playroom
Whether you are a parent, guardian, daycare provider, or grandparent, a child-friendly playroom will come in handy. As toddlers relish an area of their own, dedicating an area just for your child will benefit both of you. Knowing this, here are a few tips on how to build a child-friendly playroom.
Safety
Safety should top priority .when designing a playroom. The age of your child is irrelevant, you should always take basic precautions. Keep dangerous items like wires, scissors, matches, etc. away from the playroom. Invest in electrical outlet covers. If you have a toddler, both window locks and a finger pinch guard for the door are a great idea. Install a new smoke detector and mount a fire extinguisher high on the wall in the new playroom. If you’re painting the room, consider using a low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint which is known to releases almost no toxins into the air. As safety concerns change with your child’s age, it will be necessary to re-examine the room occasionally as your child grows.
Design
The next thing you might want to look at is design, do not neglect it as it will influence your child’s development. A well-designed playroom will allow your child’s imagination and creativity to flourish. Hence, start with the basics. Choose a color scheme and establish the essentials. Infants usually react well to vivid, vibrant shades and large, proportioned patterns. For this reason, the majority of decorators customarily pick primary colors, which will work for years to come. Innovation and creativity begin at an early age and we recommend you let your child help design their own playroom. Consider an easel or craft table in your playroom and create a cork wall for displaying artwork. Children love to show off their masterpieces and having a special place for them will encourage their creativity.
Storage
Make sure you have enough room for all the toys your child has. Playful storage can be one of the most delightful things your child wants. You can use shelves, baskets, racks, furniture, etc. to organize the new playroom. Keeping it organized is important as you can begin teaching your child by dedicating separate containers for specific objects. A good tip for toddlers and preschoolers is to put a picture of the toys on the front of the bin where they belong. Art supplies and other items you may not want to have unattended should be stored out of reach. Children learn by example and making it easy to keep tidy and organized will help your child learn lifelong habits.
Space
Space can be a concern if you have a small room to work with or if you have multiple children. Look for creative ways to make the most of a small room. Utilize the space under the craft table for floor pillows or nap mats when not in use. And don’t forget about the closet, you can remove the door and build or buy shelves for toy storage, adding several square feet of usable space.
Music
Music may not be something you think of when designing a playroom, but it does help your child in many ways. If you are a fan of music, keep a few instruments in the playroom that you and your child can play together, Children tend to learn how to play instruments very quickly and time spent playing together will build lasting memories. One great example of how parents can influence their child musically is the story of Harold May, the father of Brian May. Harold and Brian built Brian’s first electric together and years later Brian used that same guitar on stage with his band Queen!
A well designed, safe, fun playroom will give your child, and you, hours of enjoyment, a place to call their own and a nice getaway from the grownups when they have a playdate come over.
About the Author:
Before writing under her own name, Holly Horsman spent many years as a ghost writer for multiple clients. Holly enjoys sharing her passion for home improvement, business, and marketing, crafts, and technology with other like-minded readers.