Home Safe Home: Childproof Your Home Room by Room

By Rebecca Felsenthal Stewart 

Even if you feel pretty confident that you've done a thorough job of childproofing ,
chances are you've missed something. In fact, in a study from the University of Alabama
at Birmingham (UAB), when first-time moms of kids ages 12 to 36 months were taken
through a model home and asked to point out potential hazards, they could identify fewer
than half of them.

You may also be overconfident about your own child's understanding. In the UAB study,
when researchers asked the moms to point out items that would be hazardous for
their toddler , they made statements like, "My child isn't curious about the toilet" or "my
child knows not to play with matches" and flagged only 40 percent of the real risks.

 RELATED: 9 Child-Proofing Must-Haves

But the truth is, household injuries are one of the top reasons kids under 3 visit the E.R.
each year. And it's smart to be prepared for the worst. So we've shown you many of the
hidden risks for young children—as well as pointed out the safe spots—and provided
expert advice on how to childproof your home.

ADVERTISEMENT
SavePinFBMore
CREDIT: LUCIE RICE

Even if you feel pretty confident that you've done a thorough job of childproofing ,
chances are you've missed something. In fact, in a study from the University of Alabama
at Birmingham (UAB), when first-time moms of kids ages 12 to 36 months were taken
through a model home and asked to point out potential hazards, they could identify fewer
than half of them.

You may also be overconfident about your own child's understanding. In the UAB study,
when researchers asked the moms to point out items that would be hazardous for
their toddler , they made statements like, "My child isn't curious about the toilet" or "my
child knows not to play with matches" and flagged only 40 percent of the real risks.

 RELATED: 9 Child-Proofing Must-Haves

ADVERTISING

But the truth is, household injuries are one of the top reasons kids under 3 visit the E.R.
each year. And it's smart to be prepared for the worst. So we've shown you many of the
hidden risks for young children—as well as pointed out the safe spots—and provided
expert advice on how to childproof your home.
Living Room

What's right:

Candles and matches are out of reach. It's possible for a toddler  to accidentally light a
match and start a fire, no matter how undeveloped her fine motor skills. And if she chews
on a candle, she could choke on the wax. Keep candles and matches well out of reach,
and try flameless LED candles to mimic the effect of flickering candlelight.
Photo frames are up and away. If your child knocks over or drops a frame, the glass can
shatter and cut him, even in a carpeted room. Put frames somewhere well out of reach,
mount them on the wall, or replace them with plastic.

TV is mounted. If a child tries to climb on a TV stand, the set can fall on her. Mount
your television securely on the wall, if possible. TVs on stands need to be anchored to the
wall too: Slip industrial-strength Velcro straps through the air-vent holes and connect
them to eye hooks that you screw into the wall.

Fireplace is covered. Install heat-resistant gates to use while the flames are burning.
Kids could fall and injure themselves against a sharp or stony hearth, so make sure you
buy pads for the edges. Artificial fireplaces often contain small rocks that are a choking
hazard—if yours does, remove them. Two risks in our picture: The doors should be
locked when not in use, and the fire-stoking tools should be out of reach.

What's wrong:

Power strip is exposed. Your child could easily unplug a cord from the power strip, stick
a metal object inside one of the holes, and electrocute himself. Keep power strips hidden
behind furniture or, if they must be exposed, buy a power-strip cover.

Small toys are everywhere. Round, cylindrical, or oval objects that are smaller than 1?
inches in diameter can completely block the throat of a young child and cause fatal
choking. (And little square toys can be a risk too.) So these should not be used by
children, probably until they are 5 years old, says Parents advisor Gary Smith, M.D., Dr.
P.H., director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's
Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio.

 RELATED: 10 Surprising Safety Hazard

Remote control has a missing battery cover. Be especially careful of button batteries—
the kind you find in watches, hearing aids, greeting cards, and some toys -- which are
higher voltage than traditional batteries. If your child swallows any type of battery, it can
get lodged in the esophagus and cause severe damage, so get him to the E.R.
immediately.

Glass coffee table is unprotected. Table edges are treacherous for a little kid learning to
walk. "Your toddler can badly cut her forehead and eye area," says UAB study coauthor
and clinical psychologist David Schwebel, Ph.D., an expert in unintentional-injury
prevention. Call the manufacturer to find out what kind of glass your table is made of. If
it's non-tempered, which shatters easily, put it in a room your toddler can't access—or
buy a new tempered-glass top and edge guards.

tempered-glass top and edge guards.

CREDIT: STEPHEN CAMPBELL

Bedroom

What's right:

Crib is set up safely. Once your child can sit up, it's time to lower the crib mattress. Be
careful with stuffed animals too—they're a suffocation risk for babies, and they can make
an easy step stool for a little one who wants to get out. As of June, traditional drop-side
cribs are now banned from being sold in the United States; if the drop side breaks, a child
can become trapped between the crib and the mattress and suffocate, according to the
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). If your crib has a drop side, the
CPSC recommends replacing it with a fixed-side crib, or at the very least, checking on
cpsc.gov to see if it has been recalled.

Window has a guard. Windows should only be able to open 3 inches, about the height of
an adult fist, or they should have a window guard. "And if you have a window that's low
to the floor, or a window seat, it's imperative that you install a guard," says safety expert
Alison Rhodes, of Wilton, Connecticut, who founded the childproofing company Safety
Mom Solutions. For casement windows, Rhodes recommends removing the crank and
keeping it somewhere that you can easily access.

Window blinds are cordless. A child can get his neck caught in a looped cord and be
strangled. More than 200 young children have died this way since 1990, says the CPSC.
Eliminate the hazard by cutting the loop and adding free tassels from
windowcoverings.org. But if possible, invest in new cordless window coverings.

 RELATED: Window Blind Cords: The Deadly Hazard Hiding in Homes

What's wrong:

Balloon is within reach. "Latex balloons should be kept completely away from children
under 8," says Dr. Smith. "As many as half of children's choking deaths caused by toys
are due to balloons." If a child puts a popped balloon in his mouth, the balloon can drape
itself over the entrance to his larynx, covering it like shrink-wrap, and suffocate him, he
explains.

Crayons are left out. Even little hands can snap a crayon in two, and then it's small
enough to choke on. Always supervise your child while he's using art supplies, and
consider getting chubby round crayons like Crayola Tadoodles.

Dresser isn't secure. Each year, nearly 15,000 kids visit the E.R. for tip-over-related
injuries. "All heavy furniture needs to be anchored to the wall or to the floor," says Dr.
Smith.

Porcelain piggy bank isn't up high enough. A child could easily climb up those "stairs"
of dresser drawers and grab the bank on top. And once he does, the bank could shatter,
and he could get cut on the pieces or choke on the coins inside. Because coins are the
perfect size and shape to block your child's airway, experts recommend keeping them
away from toddlers  entirely. (This goes for plastic ones too.) You can also install drawer
stops that keep drawers from being open more than two thirds of the way.
CREDIT: STEPHEN CAMPBELL

Kitchen

What's right:

Kitchen is gated. Because the room is full of risks, it's a good idea to make it off-limits
when you're not around.

Lower cabinets are protected. Cleaning products like drain openers, automatic

dishwasher detergents, and furniture polish are toxic. Either secure the cabinet with a
magnetic lock, use a traditional latch along with a childproof locked box, or place
chemicals high up, well out of reach, recommends Jim Schmidt, M.D., a pediatric
emergency-room physician and cofounder of Child Safety Housecalls, a childproofing
and safety company in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Dishwasher is locked. The biggest hazard is ingesting the detergent, says Dr. Schmidt.
Make a point of running the dishwasher as soon as you add the detergent. Store knives
with blades down and leave dishes in the machine for as short a time as possible. Many
dishwashers have a lock setting, so check yours. Otherwise, consider an appliance lock --
you may have to try a few to find one that works well with your machine.

Microwave is out of reach. Mounting it up high is best, but if yours must sit on the
counter and your child's present, don't turn it on and walk away, never leave hot food in
it, and make sure your child's not around when you take hot food or liquids out.

Stove knobs are removed. Pull them off when you're not cooking. Even better, use a
stove guard—a plastic or metal shield that attaches to the front—which makes it harder
for curious hands to reach burners. Dr. Schmidt prefers a guard to knob covers, which
don't fit all stoves and can be inconvenient to use. Be sure to cook on the back burners
whenever possible, and never let pan handles face forward.

What's wrong:

Oven is easy to open. The biggest risk here is burns, but your child could also hit her
head with the oven door if you leave a dish towel hanging from the handle and she pulls
on it. If your oven has settings, check to see whether one lets you lock the door.
Otherwise, the safest thing to do is install an oven latch or put a baby gate across the
entrance to the kitchen.

Small appliances are accessible. Most toddlers  can reach onto a kitchen countertop,

according to research from Children's Hospital of Michigan, which means they can easily
turn over appliances, and other heavy and dangerous items sitting there. Even if your
coffeemaker is set toward the rear of the counter, make sure the cords aren't sticking out.
And don't leave a stool out, since toddlers can use it to get to off-limits areas.
  RELATED: 25 Toddler Danger Zones

Cutlery is reachable. As convenient as it is to keep a butcher block of knives sitting on

the counter, that's a mistake. Store it in an above-the-counter cabinet. This is crucial if
you have a child with special needs, notes Rhodes: "They can be more likely to be
impulsive and grab items that can pose a danger."

Refrigerator isn't secured. If your child is able to pull your fridge open on his own,
consider installing a latch. And at the very least, make sure you're aware of what's in
there, says Dr. Schmidt: Always keep choking hazards like grapes, breakables like wine
bottles, and poisons such as medications out of reach on high shelves.

CREDIT: STEPHEN CAMPBELL

Bathroom

What's right:

Tub faucet is covered. Rubber spout covers can protect your toddler from bangs and
bruises. Also, because your child could burn himself if he turns up the hot water, make
sure your water heater is set to 120?F. If you live in an apartment building and can't
adjust yours, install an anti-scald device on the faucet itself. These have sensors that stop
the flow of water when it reaches a dangerous temperature.

Wastebasket has no liner. It may be easier to empty the bathroom trash when you line it
with a plastic shopping bag, but the convenience isn't worth the risk. Your toddler could
put the bag over her head and suffocate.

Door can't shut. The most common types of amputations in kids involve fingers and
thumbs, ac-cording to recent research from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at
Nationwide Children's Hospital. The usual cause among those age 2 and younger? Doors.
"I've stitched up the ends of so many fingers—frequently from a game of chase that ends
with a door slamming," says Dr. Schmidt. You can buy devices that keep doors from
closing all the way, or simply drape a towel over the top.

What's wrong:

Puddle isn't wiped up. A little water on the floor could be all it takes to send your child
flying. When toddlers  fall, they're more likely to hit their head and face because they are
too young to be able to break their fall using their arms. After baths, make sure you mop
up all water on the floor.

Toilet is open. The toilet is just the right height for your toddler to stick his head in, and
since he's top-heavy, he could fall over and not be able to get up. Drowning is the leading
cause of unintentional-injury death in kids ages 1 to 4. Keep the toilet-seat lid down,
install a latch, and remind visitors to use it. In a Home Safety Council survey, only 21
percent of parents said they'd installed toilet latches.

Contact-lens case is on the counter. A twist-off lid is the perfect size for a toddler to
choke on.

Hair dryer is plugged in. If your child turns it on, she could burn herself, and if she
drops it in the sink or tub, it could electrocute her.

Pills aren't locked away. "It's not enough to place dangerous medicine up high," says
Dr. Smith. "You need to put them under lock and key. In our home we had a locksmith
install a lock in one of the drawers in the bathroom and we kept the key hidden." Some
drugs, such as heart medications, are more toxic than others. But even the elemental iron
in prenatal vitamins can be deadly if ingested in high enough amounts.

 RELATED: 15 Biggest Safety Mistakes

Toiletries aren't out of reach. As with pills, putting them up high isn't the answer; a
curious child will simply climb up on the counter to reach them. And items you may think
aren't dangerous can be deadly: "I'd rather see my kids play with bleach than with
Visine," says Dr. Schmidt. In rare in-stances, the same ingredients that constrict the blood
vessels to get the red out of eyes can cause blood-pressure changes, abnormal heart
rhythms, and coma in a small child, he explains. Lock products away using a magnetic
latch or a childproof medicine container.
Keeping Your Toddler Safe

https://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/safety/toddlerproofing/keeping-

your-toddler-safe/

Your toddler is smarter, faster, and even more curious than she was as a baby. Do you know how
to keep her safe?
By Holly Robinson 
October 05, 2005
ADVERTISEMENT
SavePinFBMore

When Amy Murphy stepped into the bathroom for a quick shower, her 2-year-old
daughter, Kharis, was happily watching her favorite video. When she walked back into
the living room ten minutes later, Kharis was gone -- and the front door was open, despite
the fact that it had been secured with a dead bolt.

Luckily, Kharis had only wandered a few feet from the house before her mother found
her. "Just thinking about what could have happened makes me feel sick. What if she had
wandered into the street?" asks Murphy, who lives in Dallas.

I can relate to Murphy's panic. I experienced an even more terrifying incident when my
daughter, Taylor, was 2. While we were visiting relatives, she opened a sliding glass door
(a skill I didn't know she possessed), walked outside, and fell into a hot tub. It was sheer
luck that she didn't drown -- my sister-in-law, only moments later, decided to go for a dip
and was able to rescue her.
Why toddlers are accident-prone

Every year, thousands of 2-year-olds are hurt or killed in their homes. In fact, injuries are
the leading cause of death in kids older than 12 months. Two-year-olds are among those
most at risk because "they're mobile and eager to explore their environment, but they
can't anticipate the consequences of their actions," says Andrea Carlson Gielen, deputy
director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy, at Johns Hopkins University School
of Public Health. Unlike 1-year-olds, who can be distracted, "most 2-year-olds will do
whatever it takes to get what they want," notes Mariann Manno, M.D., director of
pediatric emergency medicine at University of Massachusetts Memorial Healthcare, in
Worcester. Their intense curiosity, combined with new physical skills, makes the world
an exciting -- if often dangerous -- place.

You no doubt safety-proofed when your baby first crawled and then again when she
walked. But now you must go beyond installing safety gates, latches, and outlet covers.
"Most injuries aren't just a matter of bad luck," notes Gielen. "Children get hurt because
hazards in the home weren't eliminated."

Safety experts recommend that you get down to your child's level and look at the world
from his point of view. Low drawers left open can turn into a staircase; bookcases and
china cabinets look like great climbing toys; and knives and glass dishes are not as out of
reach as you may have thought. You'll also want to consider your child's special interests.
If she's fascinated with lotions and cosmetics, for example, you'll need to take extra
precautions to keep those items out of toddler reach in the bathroom. Gielen cautions,
however, that you should never be complacent, thinking that you can predict what sorts of
dangers your child will be drawn to. To stay one step ahead of your 2-year-old, here are
four rules of toddler safety you must follow:

1. Don't assume that just because your child couldn't do it yesterday, he can't do it
today. Lori Moore, of Kelowna, British Columbia, figured that if items she wanted to
keep from her child were stored on a high shelf in a cabinet that was latched shut, he
wouldn't be able to get at them. She was wrong. Soon after he turned 2, Dakota got into
some forbidden -- though, fortunately, harmless -- sweets by dragging a chair to the
pantry and disengaging the safety latch (which proved to be a cinch). "Once he learned
that trick, he was constantly dragging chairs around to get to places that had previously
been inaccessible," says Moore. "I realized that we not only had to be careful about where
chairs were placed but that it was dangerous to underestimate his capabilities. He had to
be watched all the time."

2. Never leave a child alone in the kitchen or bathroom.These rooms can be very
dangerous because they contain knives, heavy appliances, toxic cleaning supplies,
medicines, and razors. Remember that in the kitchen, the hazards multiply if you're
cooking. For example, Dr. Manno recently treated a child in the emergency room who
had suffered second-degree burns from steaming spaghetti sauce. The sauce had been
bubbling in a slow cooker; when the child pulled its cord, which was dangling from the
counter, the contents spilled all over him.

3. Be especially cautious when you have company or are visiting other people's
homes. "People can be distracted when they have guests, so supervision may be lax,"
observes Dr. Manno. During the chaos of holiday dinners or family get-togethers, assign
someone to watch your 2-year-old at all times.

I can attest to the wisdom of this advice: Taylor's near-drowning incident occurred
because I was busy cooking and talking with my relatives. I didn't even know she had
gone outside until I looked out the kitchen window and saw my sister-in-law pulling
Taylor (by her hair) out of the hot tub.

Playdates also require an especially watchful eye, as 2-year-olds are apt to pool their
talents and get into more trouble than they could individually. Last December, for
example, while the moms were in the kitchen chatting, Alexis Evanich's daughter, Grace,
teamed up with her 2-year-old playmate to knock down a completely decorated Christmas
tree. "They were trying to get the candy canes hanging at the top," recalls Evanich, who
lives in Cincinnati. "I don't think Grace would have tried such a feat on her own -- but
she was more than happy to go along with the plan."

4. Realize that even the most thorough childproofing cannot replace adult
supervision. "The most important 'safety product' for toddlers is supervision," Moore
concludes. "Childproofing your home is definitely helpful, but nothing replaces a
watchful eye. Accidents can happen in a matter of seconds. But the more closely children
are supervised, the less likely they are to be seriously injured."

Copyright © 1999 Holly Robinson. Reprinted with permission from the June 1999 issue
of  Parents magazine.

All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be
considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in
connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the
health of others.

Childsafetyathome

Suitable for 0-5 years

Key points

 Home safety is about supervision in safe environments. Children also need to learn
what is and isn’t safe.
 You can do a lot to avoid common home injuries like falls, burns and scalds,
poisoning, drowning, strangulation and suffocation.
 It’s important to know basic first aid and CPR.

Promoting child safety at home

Your adult-friendly home has many potential hazards for a child. But you can keep your child
safe by finding out what the risks are, and then preventing or removing them.

But even when you think you’ve removed all the home safety hazards, the reality is that children
can still have tumbles and falls. That’s why supervision is one of the keys to child safety at
home.
Also, as your child grows and learns to climb and open things, you need to be alert for new
hazards. You’ll probably need to change the environment to make sure your home is still a safe
and creative place to play and explore.

And along with supervision and a safe environment, you can also improve home safety
by teaching your child about what’s safe and what’s not.

If children have a creative space to play and explore, with plenty of interesting things to do and
look at, they’ll be less likely to seek their own stimulation by exploring areas you might not want
them to get into.

Baby furniture and equipment

Safe baby furniture and baby equipment will help to protect your child. Always look for cots,
mattresses, portacots and high chairs with the Australian Standards mark.

There are no Australian Standards for change tables and safety gates, so it’s important to look
carefully at the safety features of any tables and gates you’re interested in.

Burns and scalds prevention

To prevent burns, keep your child away from fire and hot surfaces. Keep a close eye on your
child whenever they’re near things that can burn – especially around stoves, ovens, microwaves,
heaters and other appliances.

Hot food and drinks and too-hot baths are a major cause of scalds for babies and children. Here
are some simple safety precautions to avoid these risks:

 Keep hot food and drinks away from and out of reach of children.
 Avoid holding your child if you’re having hot food and drinks.
 Always test bath water temperature before bathing children – the safest bath temperature
is 37-38°C.
 Have the hot water delivered to your bathroom at maximum of 50°C. You still need to
mix cold water with the hot water coming out of your taps to get the right bath
temperature for babies and children.

Electrical safety
Here are tips for electrical safety at home:

 Get a licensed electrician to install safety switches, which cut power off quickly to avoid
electrocution.
 Get a licensed electrician to do any repairs.
 Replace electrical appliances and cords if they’re worn.
 Use power point covers.

Falls prevention at home

Falls are the most common cause of injuries and visits to hospital in every age group.
You can help to keep your child safe by watching the new skills they’re learning, and the new
places they can reach – and then adjusting your home. For example:

 When your child starts crawling, install safety guards across entries to stairs and
balconies. And you still need to supervise your child on stairs and balconies.
 When your child starts climbing, lock windows – particularly upper-storey windows –
restrict window openings, or shield them with firmly attached window guards. This will
stop your child climbing out and falling.
 Leave a hall light on at night, or use sensor lights to make it easier for older children to
get to the toilet without tripping.

Don’t leave babies unattended on raised surfaces like change tables, sofas or beds. Babies might
roll or wriggle off and fall.

Furniture safety
Children can be seriously injured if furniture tips and falls on top of them. Here are ways to
reduce the risk of this happening:

 Check that furniture is sturdy – your child shouldn’t be able to pull it down or knock it
over. Anchoring furniture like bookshelves and wardrobes to the wall or floor reduces the
risk of them tipping.
 Brace or strap televisions to the wall or entertainment unit.
 Move furniture with sharp corners away from areas where children run around, like
hallways and near doorways. If you can’t move the furniture, pad its corners with foam or
corner protectors.

Glass safety
When children are running around at home, it’s easy for them to run into glass windows and
doors. Here are tips to keep your child safe around glass:

 Install safety glass in windows and doors or apply shatter-resistant film to windows and
doors of older homes.
 Put stickers on glass at eye level.

Household tools and backyard safety

Some simple precautions can help you keep your child safe around household tools and other
backyard safety hazards:

 Lock away hand tools like saws and drills, and keep lawnmowers, chainsaws and other
sharp tools out of reach.
 Make sure your child is out of the way when you’re using tools.
 Unplug and store tools away whenever you take a break.
House fires
House fires can be caused by cooking accidents, smouldering cigarettes, electrical faults,
candles, incense and children playing with lighters and matches.

Working smoke alarms are an essential fire safety precaution.

By law your home must have at least one working smoke alarm installed on each level. For
overall fire safety at home, you should install a smoke alarm outside the sleeping areas of your
home. It’s also a very good idea to install alarms in bedrooms where people sleep with their
doors closed.

Test your smoke alarms every month and replace batteries each year. Replace the smoke alarms
themselves every 10 years.

Poisoning prevention
Poisoning is one of the leading causes of injury to children under five, and children are often
poisoned by common household chemicals and medicines.

You can make your child’s environment safer by:

 removing potential poisons

 storing chemicals and medicines up high in a locked cupboard or cabinet
 putting a child-safety latch on the doors of cupboards where you keep household poisons.

If you think your child has been poisoned, call the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126.

Strangulation and suffocation prevention

Many homes have everyday items that could strangle or suffocate a child. These items include
soft toys and bedding, blinds, cords and ropes, and bags, boxes and packaging.

Here are some essential safety tips to keep your child safe from suffocation and strangulation:

 Keep stuffed toys, cushions and piles of clothing out of cots and prams.
 Wrap blind cords in cleats attached to the wall at least 1.6 m above the floor.
 Tie knots in plastic bags, and keep them away from children.

Water safety
Water safety depends on 100% active adult supervision whenever your child is around water.
This includes around baths, pools, ponds, dams, rivers, creeks, baths and buckets with water.

If you have a pool, by law you must have a pool fence and self-locking gate that meets
Australian Standard AS:1926. Regularly check and maintain the pool fence and gate to make
sure it’s in proper working order. Never leave the gate propped open.
For bath safety, always supervise and give your full attention to babies and children under five
years in the bath. Never leave children alone in the bath or bathroom. Never leave older children
or siblings to supervise.

Print out our illustrated guide to indoor safety and our illustrated guide to outdoor safety for
more tips.

CPR and first aid

It’s a very good idea to do some first aid and CPR training. First aid training is recommended
every three years, and CPR training is recommended every year. You can do training with
organisations like the Royal Life Saving Society, the Red Cross and St John Ambulance
Australia.

Keep first aid kits in your home and car, and take a kit on holidays too.

DESIGNING ARCHITECTURAL PROCEDURE FOR HOUSE

PARTICULARLY FOR
CHILDREN
Hassan Sattari Sarbangholi

Given that the most important stage of life, from childhood to the formation of human character, spaces
designed for children with mental and physical characteristics of children's knowledge, understanding
children's needs required architectural spaces, by analyzing examples of architecture children the spaces
of childhood by using components such as color, scale and children's furniture, a variety of spaces,
inviting and readability spaces, the design of circulation, access suitable for children with the architectural
design galleries and studios child, play spaces indoor and, children's library, children's theaters enjoying a
theatrical art activities, storytelling to promote children's creativity. The results can be child-centered
design or architectural design that most users of space, children are utilized

Designing Your Home with Kids in Mind

by Kate Simmons

Welcome to the third installment of our With Kids in Mind series! This week we’re focusing on
home design that honors both your style and the needs of your children. Balancing both elements
IS possible, and below we’ll show you how to make smart design choices that are as eye-
catching as they are practical. Read on for helpful tips, fabulous photos, and LOTS of design
inspiration! [photo by Tim Lee for  Daniel Conlon Architects]
Safety First

We begin with safety, because that should be your top priority when it comes to your kids.
Obviously children have different needs at different ages, and we’re not going to go into the ins
and outs of babyproofing, although there are some amazing online resources to guide you
through it when you’re ready to investigate. In general, securing large furniture to the wall is a
must, as this prevents dangerous (and sometimes fatal) injuries. [Outline Bookcase below
from The Land of Nod]

Items such as shelves, dressers and bookcases should be  secured, and there are products that can
help you achieve this goal. Whether you purchase anti-tip devices, furniture safety straps, or a
furnishing that comes with its own hardware for getting the job done, do your research, and most
importantly, do what it takes to make your home a safe one! [photo from Homemade Mothering]

Also consider the safety of the furniture itself. For example, retailers such as The Land of
Nod include bunk bed safety information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission,
including age restrictions, the importance of guardrails, and mattress requirements. Once again,
do your research, and prioritize safety when your little ones are concerned.

For some, safety is about intentionally choosing eco-friendly, non-toxic furnishings, bedding and
paint to make the environment a healthy one for children. Brands are increasingly honoring these
concerns as more awareness about consumer safety is emerging. Kalon Studios is one such
brand, and they offer a range of green, sustainable furnishings for both adults and children.
Below we see 3 Blocks, a set of three geometric nesting tables/stools:

Combine the Stylish with the Practical

In addition to accounting for safety, think in terms of practicality. This doesn’t mean that you
have to sacrifice style. A case in point: consider adding a beautifully designed art table to the
living room so you can enjoy time together as a family. This gives you a chance to unwind on the
couch while keeping an eye on your little one (rather than having to go back and forth to your
child’s room to monitor him or her). [photo by Tom Hargreaves  for Barc Architects Ltd.]

Dual-Purpose Design

When designing your home with kids in mind, incorporate furnishings that can pull double duty.
This way, both grown-ups and kids can enjoy them, and you make the most of your available
space. For example, below we see a work table in a home loft area. However, you can apply this
concept to the dining room if you are short on space, making your dining table a place for the
kids to do homework and art projects. [f
Maximize Storage

We end by focusing on storage, which is always a challenge when it comes to child-friendly

spaces. Instead of getting frustrated by the large amount of toys in the living room, make them a
part of the living room! The custom-designed shelving below features sunken circles that hold
Tubtrugs storage bins. Pick-up is a snap, and storage is stylish. 

In fact, there are a slew of stylish storage bin options, making it possible for you to find
selections that complement the decor in your living room or family room.

You can always opt for a bench or ottoman with hidden storage. The kids will love the hidden
compartment, and adults will love the seamless style. This Upholstered Storage Bench w/ Legs
from The Land of Nod couldn’t be more on-trend with its soothing abstract pattern (designed by
artist Ashley Goldberg). Open it up, and you have a chic solution to your storage dilemma.

And of course, you can go to town with storage in your child’s bedroom or playroom. Great
storage doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The room below is filled with IKEA furnishings that keep
clutter at bay

s we’ve seen today, by combining safety, stylish practicality, double-duty design and ample
storage, you can create a child-friendly home that adults will love as well! Happy decorating!

Home Design with Children in Mind

When starting a family, most people are aware that there will need to be changes to the way you
live and work at home, but this doesn’t always have to mean compromise. Embracing the new
change in your home doesn’t mean going without something else.  There are plenty of
considerations, yes, we’ve got a few ideas and tips to keep in mind that we, as Islington
architects, always undertake when designing a home with children in mind.

Play Spaces

Play spaces are often poorly considered when designing for kids. Many people assume that play
spaces are unnecessary because sooner or later, your children are going to grow out of it.
However, these spaces should be flexible to allow for growing over the years, becoming new
spaces for your family to enjoy. They should react and change to our needs, and, if planned
properly by Islington architects, this can easily be done when the time arises with some simple
cosmetic changes. If appealing to your children for their entire childhood isn’t worth a week’s
worth of renovating, then what is?

Think of how you can let your kids play with their toys without cluttering the rest of the home.
Places to play hide and seek or dedicated spaces under furniture for their toys is a fantastic idea
to get started with designing a home with children in mind.
Storage Areas

Storage areas are also important. Although many parents recommend getting rid of things such
as toys when your kids grow older, we all know that toys hold sentimental value for your kids
and it’s best to keep them until they can make their own decisions. This means that you’re going
to need storage space specifically for things like toys, old books and games that they may or may
not grow out of.

Book shelves and chests are a great idea, but you can expand on this by building storage into
furniture or having storage underneath the floor or in the walls.

Their Bedroom

We cannot forget about designing a child’s bedroom when building a home for a family. A
child’s bedroom should reflect their personality and not just the parents wishes for them, it
should be filled with memories but still move ahead with future plans and goals. You can
coordinate your child’s bedroom in the future with different kinds of wallpapers and bed linen to
match their interests, but if they’re still young then keeping a neutral palette will help them to
grow in to it.

Just keep in mind that you’ll need to renovate the bedroom several times to give your children
the best childhood experience you can. Your child’s bedroom will evolve several times
throughout their childhood, so be prepared to drastically swap the decor and furniture multiple
times. With this in mind, remember to start small, utilise storage and keep it clutter-free to
accommodate frequent changes. We always consider this, as Islington architects, when designing
homes.

Safety Concerns

We also can’t forget about safety. For example, when your children are still young, they’ll likely
crawl around and they’ll be at the exact height of power outlets and plugs. Because of this, you’ll
want to either hide these outlets with furniture or at least cover them with safety measures.

You’ll also want to worry about safety on stairs and landings. Child-proof gates can protect your
kids from these dangers, but you’ll also want a safety gate in their nursery as well. You should
also consider safety when it comes to kitchen cabinets and doors that slam due to air pressure.

As you can see, it doesn’t take much to start designing a home with children in mind. The most
important thing to remember is that your home will evolve and grow together with your children.
Their bedroom will change several times a year according to their latest tastes or needs, and you
should learn to accommodate this by planning your decor and furniture ahead so that it can easily
be swapped out. The other important concern is safety and security. From baby monitoring
features to nightlights and even child-proof gates, there’s a whole host of products that can be
used to keep your children safe when you’re not looking. It will give you peace of mind, protect
your child and make your home a much safer place.

Islington architects
We have designed and built many homes and home extensions in Islington. As Islington
architects, we’re often challenged with making a space more appropriate for the family living
there.  By listening carefully to their needs and making small adjustments to the design, we can
incorporate concepts in to the scheme which bring delight to the family living there. This can
grow over time, and change as needs change, but ultimately the same design can be used for
many years without the need for large alterations. Speak to us today to see how we can help you.

FUN WAYS TO TRANSFORM YOUR HOUSE INTO A TEEN-FRIENDLY

HOME
 written by Charlotte Grant

For parents, their children are their greatest wealth. This is why we often hear them telling their
kids to stop growing so fast. But they can only remain little for so long. The next thing you
know, you already have a teenager living in your home.

Teens love hanging out with their friends. Once your child reaches their teenage years, you often
find them wanting to stay out more. By turning your home into a teen-friendly space, you can
expect them to want to stay home more than their friend’s house. But how?

Give their bedroom a makeover

Now that your child is no longer a baby, it is time to help them refurbish their old bedroom.
Make sure that you ask permission from your teen and consider their ideas when renovating.
Don’t forget that investing in the right furniture and adequate lighting also matters. To give your
teen’s room a modern twist, why not consider a handmade indoor hanging chair? Their room will
look a lot cozier, and your teen can enjoy hours on end sitting on a comfy chair where they can
just lounge or study.

Consider adding a family room

In a nutshell, a family room is a secondary living room. But when you have a teen living
with you, they may feel awkward hanging out with their friends in the living room with you
around. By giving them their personal space, they will feel at ease, knowing that they can
have a special place to entertain their guests.

Level up your backyard

Revamping your yard will not only help you improve the look and feel of your home. This will
also help you encourage your teen to stay outdoors, enjoy the fresh air, and get their daily dose of
vitamin C. Invest in quality but comfy outdoor chairs and tables and place them in a shady part
of the yard. You can add a hammock where they can nap, read a book, or even entertain their
friends. You can also consider adding a fire pit or an outdoor kitchen plus a pool to give them
more reason to enjoy the yard.

Stock up on teen-friendly food

Teens are often hungry. To make sure that your teen and their friends won’t indulge in junk food,
stock up on healthy snacks. Keep key ingredients at hand and serve home-made pizza, nachos,
fruits, and juices. But don’t deprive them of chips and popcorn. A little bit of these won’t hurt, as
long as you also serve healthy meals.

An entertainment room is always a good idea

How often do you hear your teen saying that they are bored as hell? By having an entertainment
room, you can ease their boredom and make them want to stay home than go somewhere else.
Aside from having a large TV with Netflix, PlayStation, and other games, you can consider your
teen’s hobby when decorating the entertainment room. Find ways to soundproof this area so that
you don’t have to waste your time telling them to lower it down. Don’t forget to impose rules, as
this is not only their private space but a common room for other family members.

These are only a few suggestions that can help make your teen love your home more. The more
space you give your teen to do their thing and hang out with friends, the more at ease you feel,
knowing that they are safe in the comfort of your home. This will also make them feel more
loved, knowing that you’re constantly thinking of their safety and convenience.

How To Make Your Home Teen-Friendly

by RJ Lyn

It’s always a parent’s delight to see their kids hangout at home. Either with friends or just with
their siblings, knowing that your kid’s in a safe place is enough. But how can we make our
homes cozy for our teens and their friends?
Well, the first step is to just really welcome everyone. Welcome your child’s friend to your door
and everything will definitely follow. Of course, it’s not an overnight thing. Take these tips as
you go along and we assure you your home’s the best hangout place at the end of a week or so.

Start with a when and how many

You want your kid’s friends to hangout in your home? Then make sure to ask when they’re
planning it. Also, remember to ask how many, or set a limit as to how many you think your space
can accommodate. Explain to your kid that it’s important to limit their number so that everyone
will feel comfortable.
Don’t encourage impromptu hangouts. Also, set that weekends are for the entire family. So, it’s
better to set weekday afternoon or late in the evening hangout.
Build a lasting relationship with your kids and their friends
Remember that teenagers don’t really need cool parties. All they need are cool and nice parents
who understands them. So it’s best to attract the teens with your kindness and flexibility.
Remember, it’s just a matter of few years before they stop bringing friends over. So cherish this
time and make sure they know it.

Do they need privacy?

The answer really depends on how well you know your kid. So take time to talk to them and let
them know the boundaries inside the house. Also, observe their friends, too. If there’s something
that should be controlled, then don’t trigger it.
For example, one parent noticed that her child’s friend often get into the internet and get into
inappropriate things. The key here is not to reprimand the child. The best thing to do is remove
the laptop or desktop or limit the WiFi use when they hangout.

Provide their needs

Well, every parent really does. But when it comes to teenagers hanging out, it’s important to
stack some snacks for them, too. You can also add Xbox or Wii in the list to keep them
entertained.

More importantly, no alcohol. Remember that these are teens you have in your house. It’s against

the law to provide alcohol to minors even with adult supervision. Entertainment room/hangout

room
You can also share your entertainment room with your teens, especially if you also like to play
Xbox or board games with your family. This can also help you set boundaries and rules as they
use the room, too.
Making your entertainment room and hangout room also sets trust to your kid that he or she will
follow the rules as they use the space. It also helps set limits in time of use, especially if you set
weekend as a family day or night.
The Hangout House: The Upside of Being Teen Central
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a houseful of kids. While other parents were
hosting their kids’ birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese, the local bowling alley or the pool, I was
the mom hosting a gig for 20 crazy kids who were hell-bent on breaking something before they
left. I was also the mom hosting the end of the school year waterslide parties in our backyard
where an endless supply of Kool-Aid and Band-Aids flowed for sips and slips.

St. Patrick’s Day parties, scavenger hunts, cookie baking gatherings and summer water balloon
battles – no matter the day or season, we always seemed to have kids flocking to our house for one
reason or another.

As stressful and chaotic as it was at times, and as many nicks, scratches, and dents as my house
endured due to the constant flow of kid traffic, I never regretted it. In fact, I loved it.

Fast forward a few years and now that my kids are much older, I still love it… but for totally
different reasons.

I know… right about now, I can hear the quiet cringe of parents thinking to themselves, “Why
would anyone want a bunch of messy, noisy teenagers in their house eating you out of house and
home?”

Sure, you might have to spring for the cost of a few extra snacks, deal with some additional clean
up and brace yourself for the noise (teenagers can get loud), but the upside of opening your home
to the occasional chaos of a houseful of teenagers far outweighs the downside.

Every time I open my home to my kids’ friends I’m strengthening my relationship with my kids by
showing them I care about them and their friends. I’m also reinforcing their sense of security by
giving them a comfortable safe zone to hang out with their friends in their own home.

Whether they’re doing a school project with their friends, studying for a big test or just hanging out
on a Friday night, it helps me stay a little more connected to my own kids and the kids they’ve
chosen to spend their time with.

Plus, aside from the obvious benefit of getting to know the kids who potentially hold the power to
influence my kids’ lives more than me, I’m also tuned into the fact that my kids act differently
around their friends than they do at home, which offers me an inside glimpse into the tender world
of my kids’ lives.

But, there’s an even greater hidden advantage of being the hangout house that I realized only after
my kids became older teenagers… a bonus that trumps them all.
My kids became responsible.

They’ve come to realize that our flexible house policy is a privilege and the fate of that privilege
rests in their hands. They love their home, they’re proud of it, and they’ve come to respect
it and protect it.

My husband and I have put our kids in charge of cleaning up after their friends leave, damage
control (teens can get rowdy at times), managing rude, offensive or disrespectful behavior on the
part of their friends and essentially making sure that their friends don’t do anything under our roof
that we wouldn’t approve of. It’s a big responsibility that my kids don’t take lightly. In fact, on
more than one occasion, my kids have asked a friend or two to leave when they’ve done something
my kids didn’t approve of. Yes… you heard it right… something my kids didn’t approve of.

Let’s face it; opening your home to a bunch of teenagers isn’t for everyone. It can be messy,
stressful and exhausting at times. But, coming from a mom who lives the life, I wouldn’t trade it
for anything. So, if you’re one of those parents who’s up to the task, here’s a few simple ways to
make your home the favorite hangout house for your kids and all their friends:

Stock Up on Munchies

We all know how much teenagers love to eat and since they’re hungry practically 24/7 it’s always
a good idea to have plenty of munchies on hand. Snacks such as chips, popcorn, pretzels, or pizza
paired with a few drinks will keep them happy for hours. And, since a lot of teens today are opting
for healthier food options, things like grapes, apples, veggies and dip and granola bars are also
great options. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to draw the kids in and make them feel
welcome, host an afternoon BBQ. Nothing too expensive or extravagant is needed, (teens are never
picky about food). Just toss a few burgers and hotdogs on the grill and offer a few simple sides,
cold soda and get a game of badminton or volleyball going in the backyard. You’ll soon find that
your home is the place teens want to be.

Embrace Impromptu (and Imperfect) Gatherings

Teenagers are spontaneous… far more spontaneous than adults, which is why it’s often difficult for
parents to deal with the casual friend drop-ins that are so common when you’re the house of
choice. Having a relaxed attitude about impromptu visits from your kids’ friends even when it’s
not the most convenient time will go a long way in making them feel comfortable and welcome.
Embrace those imperfect, impromptu moments. The more “at home” kids feel, the more likely
they’ll be to actually begin behaving like family. Don’t be surprised if they jump in to help you
take groceries out of the car, help you take the garbage out or offer to help in the kitchen.

Make Them Feel Special

Have you ever noticed the look on a toddler’s face when you smile at them? They’re so incredibly
excited to be noticed that their face lights up like a Christmas tree. Imagine what would happen if
we treated our kids’ friends the same way. Kids, regardless of how old they are, love to be noticed
and they love attention. When your kids’ friends walk in the door, make them feel special. Ask
them about school, their job, their life and their family. Take an interest in the new internship they
just accepted or the big family vacation that’s on the horizon. Many parents feel that when kids
become teenagers it’s our cue to back off and disengage. However, the truth is, teenagers need just
as much attention, love, and guidance, if not more, as toddlers do.

Give ‘Em Their Space

Teens need a casual, no-fuss space, preferably away from parents, so they can sprawl out and be
themselves. A comfy couch, squishy pillows, a TV and the freedom to crank their music will make
them feel right at home. If you’re worried about your new white couch, the expensive rug you just
bought for under the coffee table or the embroidered pillows that match perfectly with your drapes,
you might want to reconsider having teens in your home. Aside from choosing a space that isn’t
too stuffy or formal, make sure you back off and give them room to breathe. Don’t hover, check on
them too often (although popping in occasionally is always a smart idea) or fuss about an
occasional spilled drink or crumbs on the couch. The more casual and relaxed you are about having
them (without being overly permissive, of course), the more casual and relaxed they’ll feel about
hanging out in your home.

Take the Pressure Off

We all know that teenagers today are under immense pressure. The stress of school, peers, their job
and sometimes even family life can be overwhelming for some teenagers. Cut them a little slack by
giving them the freedom to be themselves. Not having to be “on” for inquisitive parents who are
dying to find out more about the friends their kids’ have chosen to hang with can be a big relief for
a stressed-out teen. Avoid peppering them with questions about their home life, school, their
grades, which college they plan to attend or if they’ve given any thought to what their major will
be. Just focus on creating a relaxed environment and take cues from the kids. If they’re in the mood
to dive into deeper conversations, stand ready. If not, keep it light and take the pressure off.

Toss in a Few Perks

Whether it’s a fancy perk like a heated pool, hot tub or a tennis court or something a little more
low-key like a ping pong table, a big screen TV or a fire pit in the backyard, having a few teen-
friendly perks in your house can be a big draw, especially when teens are bored. But, don’t worry
if your house isn’t equipped with the latest and greatest amenities. Teens are pretty easy to please.
Games, a good selection of movies or a few Nerf guns (you’d be surprised how many 18-year-olds
love a good Nerf gun war) will loosen them up and give them the leeway to get a little rowdy. One
of the favored hangout spots in my house is my outdoor deck that has comfy seating and a porch
swing. A few lit candles, music they love, and a few simple snacks and they’re as happy as can be!

Show Genuine Interest

This goes hand in hand with making your kids’ friends feel special, but dives in just a bit deeper.
You may find that some kids need a little extra attention, compassion or empathy. Perhaps his or
her parents just announced that they’re divorcing, that they’re failing math despite their best efforts
or that they’re struggling to land a summer job. Just like all parents have their fair share of issues
and struggles they’re dealing with, so do teens. And, sadly, some teenagers lack the much-needed
support from family, peers or teachers. Offering a non-judgmental listening ear and showing
genuine interest in a child’s life and their struggles can make a tremendous difference in their
outlook on life, their ability to cope and even their future. Remember, it takes a village to raise
kids. Be the village your kids’ friends need.

Opening your home to other people’s kids comes with a level of commitment. While it’s important
to offer kids a casual space to chill out, provide a few snacks and keep the atmosphere
unpretentious, it’s equally as important to be a good role model. Teenagers need as much positive
reinforcement as possible to help them steer clear of risky behavior and make good decisions.
Setting a good example, being accessible and available, establishing solid expectations and rules,
and never wavering when it comes to the respect you deserve as a parent is a must to ensure you,
your children and your home are respected and appreciated when kids walk in the door.

Above all, take a moment to cherish the moments when your home is packed with kids. These are
precious, fleeting moments. All too quickly your children and their friends will be off to college,
living their own lives and your home will be far quieter than you ever imagined.

Making Our Home Teen Friendly

  RENEE

Chuck and I have been talking a lot lately about our teens. Four of our children are already
grown and gone and Judah will be leaving the nest soon. We have come to realize what a short
time our children have left to actually spend in our house. As the saying goes, “the days are long
but the years are short”. I don’t feel old enough to have a married daughter or a son heading off
to university, but I do.

We do.

Our family dynamic has shifted, and we now have more “big kids” than “little kids”. Chuck and
I realized our focus needs to begin to shift. When you have five babies in three years, its all
about diapers and naps and strollers ancar seatsts. But what about when you have four teens and
two more about to become teens?

Years ago we used to talk about how we wanted our kids and their friends to hang out
at our house. We’d have a ping-pong table, plenty of games and food for them. We’d make
sure our place was the coolest place to be. As our teens could tell you, this hasn’t been our
house. Most of Apollo’s life we’ve had to limit visitors and practically give them a physical
exam before they could hang out here. Now he’s so much healthier and germs aren’t nearly the
threat that they used to be. We want our kids to bring their friend’s home and have fun, but we
needed a game plan.

Last week Apollo and I headed to Walmart and grabbed this plastic bin and filled it with chips,
pop, candy, and TONY’S® Pizza  (okay, the pizza is going in the freezer). Chuck and I
explained to our teens that we would keep this bin stocked for when they had friends over (this is
not a general snack bin or for after school, etc). We want their friends to feel welcome and we
want them to be able to have some good old-fashioned fun with them. We don’t buy many
packaged/processed foods, and the few we do buy are for school and work lunches. This bin,
with these snacks, are reserved for our teens and their friends. 

To be perfectly honest, my teens couldn’t wipe the grins off of their faces. They loved the idea!
It is out of character for us to buy these foods (unless we are planning a party) but they are totally
on board with the idea. And I know perfectly well it wasn’t about the snacks or junk food…it
was about the attitude and the effort we had put in.

I bought both Tony’s Pizzeria Style Pepperoni and Tony’s Pizzeria Style Cheese Pizza. My kids
wasted no time digging into the cheese pizza with their vegetarian friend, Hayley. 

We shall see how it goes. So far, so good. We can’t exactly afford to remodel our house or set up
a state-of-the-art media center. What we can do is welcome our kids’ friends, supply a house,
some games, plenty of snacks and a friendly smile.

 —

What kind of things do you do to help your kids’ friends feel welcome? How about your teens?
Any great ideas about how to make your home more teen friendly?

I bought both Tony’s Pizzeria Style Pepperoni and Tony’s Pizzeria Style Cheese Pizza. My kids
wasted no time digging into the cheese pizza with their vegetarian friend, Hayley. 

We shall see how it goes. So far, so good. We can’t exactly afford to remodel our house or set up
a state-of-the-art media center. What we can do is welcome our kids’ friends, supply a house,
some games, plenty of snacks and a friendly smile.

 —

What kind of things do you do to help your kids’ friends feel welcome? How about your teens?
Any great ideas about how to make your home more teen friendly?

If adolescent angst is alive and well at your house, it’s time to step in and not only be the cool
parent their friends feel comfortable around, but also to make sure your house is the house of
preference when it comes to hanging out. If, on the other hand, you’d rather the tribe of teens
gathered elsewhere, just do the opposite of what this article suggests!

1. Let them feel more grown up

If your teen’s bedroom is where friends tend to hang out, it might be time for a makeover.
Get rid of the babyish doona cover, cute curtains and picture books and inject a little
sophistication into the room instead – your child is unlikely to resist.
 TIP: If your teen has an artistic streak, frame and hang some of their artwork and let their
personality shine.

If your teen is more musical than artistic, consider creating a wallpaper feature wall like
this one. Wallpaper is an easy way to transform a room perfectly in line with your child’s
style or interests.

If the room is a little too small for a sofa as well as a bed, a solution like this could be the
way to go. Just fold the bed out of sight when friends are over and they need to room to
move.

2. Add bedroom seating

Your teen’s room is no longer just for sleeping and playing, it’s a hangout haven for
chillaxing to the max. Whether you’re adding a couple of beanbags, a sofa or a daybed
like this one, the idea is to create a few different spots for kids to sit and lie so, if there’s a
crowd, they can all be accommodated in comfort.

3. Give them something to do

Whether it’s a pool table, table tennis, pinball machine or air hockey, your house will be
like a magnet for bored teenagers looking for somewhere to hang out and have fun on the
weekend. They’ll love it all the more if it’s in its own zone in the house, so they can talk
freely without fear of parents (and little brothers or sisters) listening in.

4. Have teen-friendly food at the ready

Whether boys or girls, the teenage years are hungry years, and your house won’t be too
enticing if there’s nothing to eat but packet noodles in the cupboards (or worse still,
nothing but salad greens!). Don’t despair, though – you don’t have to stock your house
with junk food if that’s not what you’re into. The smell of freshly baked muffins, home-
made pizza just out of the oven or just-made sausage rolls (complete with hidden vegies)
will have them gathered around you like famished baby birds in the nest.

BONUS TIP: Don’t try too hard – teenagers will see straight through you. Make out like
you’re glad to see them but not fussed if they’re there or not, and you’ll be the cool
parent every teen wants to be around.

5. Create a private outdoor escape

An outdoor escape zone for teens (and you, when they’re not around) doesn’t have to be
an expensive project. Nor does it have to take up a lot of room. Comfort and seclusion are
the only prerequisites.

If you have the space – and the budget – a seating area that can be enjoyed into the night
will win you major brownie points. Better yet, you and your friends get first dibs.

6. Keep mealtimes relaxed

A formal table setting and classical music playing softly in the background just isn’t
going to cut it if you teen has their friends over. It doesn’t mean you can’t eat with them –
 just aim for a casual barbecue where you can all eat outside, rather than an inside affair
that makes them feel uptight.

7. . Build a granny flat or convert the garage

Kids tend not to fly the coop the minute they turn 18 anymore, so some forward planning
now will pay off for years to come. This pool house is on the other side of the main
house, and doubles as a guest house/teen party zone whenever the need arises. What teen
wouldn’t love an escape like this one?

8. 8. Put in a pool (dream option)

Ask anyone whose house they most liked going to as a teen and they’re likely to say it’s
the friend who had a pool. Now that they’re growing up, there’s less need for your
backyard to have lawn space for them to run around or kick a ball. A pool, on the other
hand, is sure to get the big thumbs up, no matter how much of the backyard it consumes.

9. If a pool is beyond your budget, or you just don’t fancy the upkeep, a mini-version in the
form of a spa could be the way to go. Better yet, your kids and their friends will be able
to enjoy it all through the year.

TIP: Teens like having their own space so the farther away the spa is from the house, the
more they’re likely to use it.

10. 9. Give them room to unleash their talents

Got a budding musician in the family? Let your house be the one the band comes to for
rehearsals.

11. TIP: Soundproof the room if you can. If you’re not keen on lining the room with acoustic
foam, even soft furnishings will make a difference – think thick rugs, curtains and
cushions. Otherwise, earplugs might be in order.

How to Create a Teen-Friendly Hangout Space in Your Home

“Teens want a place where they can put their feet up; literally and metaphorically,” explains
Seattle parenting coach Margit Crane. “Teens like authentic, warm adults. They seem to have
built-in lie detectors that can sense when a parent may not like them or when someone is not
being genuine.”

Kingston mother Kelli Agodon agrees. “When our daughter brings a friend over, we try to make
them feel at home,” she says. “We don’t censor any conversations, and I think they appreciate
the openness. I know all of her friends very well, so I know what they each like or need when
they’re here. A few are always hungry, so we always have snacks to share. Two love to draw and
do art, so there are always supplies for them.”
Port Townsend high school senior Nicole agrees that open communication with her friends’
parents is one of the biggest draws in deciding where she spends her free time. “My friend’s
mother feels less like a parental figure and more like an additional friend, because she shares a
similar sense of humor as my friend. The conversation always flows easily and stays light.”

Nicole has also felt very unwelcome at friends’ houses: “One of my friend’s parents does not
tolerate ‘excess noise,’ which is difficult when a group of teenagers gather in one setting,” she
says. “Many of the rooms in the house are off limits, and her younger sister occupies the only
room we can go to.  We avoid going there unless it is our last resort.”

Ron Feinberg, M.S.W., a Mercer Island therapist, encourages parents to make themselves teen-
friendly and to give some thought to how they talk to, listen to and treat their teen and the teen’s
friends. “Parents can be both a friend and a parent,” within reason, Feinberg says.

Make it work for the family

If your home has an additional room or basement that can be used as a family area, include your
tween or teen in the planning process. A family room presents a perfect place for teens to have
their own space, yet remain within earshot of nearby adults. Plus, decorating the room in a way
that will suit everyone’s needs can be a great way to connect with your teen on their interests,
and for you to show them that you trust and respect their decisions.

When planning her own family room, Agodon says, she tried to keep it simple. “We have a very
pet- and teenager-friendly home; if something spills on the hardwood floors, we just clean it up,
and it’s not an issue. We also have furniture that we can clean up easily.”

Having your teen help plan a family room may have the added advantage of giving him a feeling
of investment in the space, which could result in greater care and cleaning. “Relationships are
reciprocal,” says Feinberg. “Children who feel respect return that respect and trust.” Planning the
family room with your teen can also provide an excellent opportunity for discussing ground rules
and your expectations about how the room will be used.

Crane offers four basic ground rules for parents to consider discussing with their teen: Don’t
destroy property; clean up after yourself; keep language clean; and no physical or emotional
abuse will be tolerated in the space.
Privacy: how much?

Both Crane and Feinberg agree that privacy should be handled on a case-by-case basis. “Get to
know your kid, inquire. Dialogue to find appropriate boundaries,” Feinberg says. “If you
recognize a child’s confidences, they will rise to the occasion, and if a teen is given the privacy
that they’ve earned, they deserve it.”

Agodon relies on her instincts when deciding how much privacy is appropriate or needed. “If a
friend comes over who I know likes to surf the Internet or get into things that they shouldn’t be
getting into, it’s probably not a good idea to allow the laptop in the bedroom with the door
closed. However, some kids may only want to use the laptop for music, or to draw on the
computer. It all depends on the kids and your level of trust with them.”

Your relationship is key

Parents and experts agree that having your teen and their friends in your home can be a
great experience — and one that might not last long.

“I remind myself that this is a temporary situation and not to make a big deal about how loud
they can be,” says Agodon. “It’s easy to forget that we were once noisy teenagers. I try to
remember that they’re just girls being girls and to allow them to enjoy themselves . . . even if I’m
not excited to hear the Lady Gaga parody song one more time.”

And what makes a home most inviting to a teen and their friends? “Teens don’t need cool
parents, but cool parents can be nice, too,” Crane suggests. “What’s most attractive is a
healthy home where people have civil and sane interactions, and resolve conflicts easily.
That’s a safe home,” she says.

10 Ways to Make Your Home the Local Teen Hangout Space

Think back to your favorite teen hangout space, back in the day. What made that place the
ultimate teen hangout? What was it that drew the teens of your time to that particular location as
if it were a magnet?

Was it the food? Comfortable, beat-up furniture? The fact that music could be played very loud
and no one complained? Are these the things that made one house the “it” spot for all the teens in
your crowd?
r was it your friend’s parents that turned your friend’s house into the local teen hangout space?
Did they make you feel welcome because they were super-relaxed? Did they care about you, get
involved with your life as your honorary parents?

Maybe the opposite was true. Maybe your friend’s parents were totally oblivious to you and
anyone else their teenager brought home. As long as the goings on were locked away behind
their child’s bedroom door while they watched the evening news or read the paper, they could
have cared less what any of you were doing. That may well have been the attraction: escaping
notice can be attractive to teens who prize their privacy. Not least when doing things they
shouldn’t do.

Which is why you’re thinking about this now. Your teenager is beginning to spend a lot
of time out of the home with friends and frankly, this makes you nervous. You’d like to
know where he’s going and what he’s doing and that’s your right as his parent. But you
don’t want to pry and chase after your own child for information. You don’t want to have
to play the heavy, and be stern and righteous.

That is why you wish you could turn your home into the local teen hangout space,
because that is how you would always have some clue about your teenager’s friends.
You’d also know the kind of things they’re into, and of course, where they are, which is
to say, safe at home. (Let’s face it, like real estate, with teens only three things matter:
location, location, location.) If you could turn your home into the perfect teen hangout,
you’d know all of these things while being a part of your teen’s life and that of his
friends’. All you have to do is create a welcoming hub for your teen and his or her friends
under your very own roof.

Sound daunting? No doubt. Perhaps you’re thinking you can’t be that relaxed
parent or the parent who could care less. That is definitely the most difficult part of
making your home a place that beckons to teens as a teen hangout space.

But you can do this thing bit by bit. Just dig in and make a start with one of these ten tips. Then
follow it with another tip, and then another. Soon, your home will be a true teen magnet, noisy
and filled with angst and fun by turns. It’s exactly how you thought it would be. How it was at
your friend’s house back in the day—you know—the home that was the local teen hangout?

Tag, you’re it. Which was your goal to begin with.

Teen Hangout Tips and Tricks

1. Poof You’re a Restaurant. You know how you always say to your kids, “What am I, a
restaurant?” In short, the answer to this is yes. Teens are always hungry, always looking
for food and drink. Mostly, they like junk food. You can try to make sure there are
healthy alternatives along with the unhealthy nosh. But make sure the food is stuff they
 like. To paraphrase, let them eat chips, or at least microwave popcorn and soda. Because
broccoli probably won’t cut it.
2. Invest in Quality Earplugs. Teens and music, teens and music. Go together like a horse
and, well never mind. But if you want to be the local teen hangout, do not expect your
home to be calm and tranquil. Especially if your home is small and you have paper thin
walls. What you need to do is buy some really great earplugs. More than one pair,
actually, because they’re the kind of thing that goes missing. You will want a spare pair.
They’re going to play awful music awfully loud and you will want to protect your
hearing and your musical sanity. ‘Nuff said.
3. Give Your Child a Decorating Budget. Talk to your child about redoing his room to
make it more grown-up, more comfortable for teens. Especially if the room’s decor is still
stuck in an Early Bob the Builder or Dora the Explorer time warp. Tell your child what
you can afford to contribute to the effort and speak together about how you might make
the room more inviting to friends. Perhaps the two of you can check out some garage
sales or your teen can do a bit of dumpster diving with friends and bring them into the
project. Paint is inexpensive and can bring a lot of personality to a space. Let your child
go a little crazy here, even if it’s not to your taste. He’s the one who will have to live with
the results. All you have to do is close the door to not see it anymore. (See how easy that
was?)
4. Something to Do. You know how when your kids were little they were always telling
you there was nothing to do and you’d suggest things and nothing you suggested was
ever anything they wanted to do? Teens are really the opposite of that. They build up all
this energy and then they are really happy to have a way to let it out. So let them nosh
and listen to music, and then make sure you have something for them to do. Like a
foosball table, ping pong, air hockey, a trampoline, or a pool table, for instance. Choose
one or figure out something along those lines and the teens will flock to your home. It’s
good healthy fun and they’ll be glad to have at it.
5. The Great Out of Doors. Not everyone has a yard or porch roomy enough to provide a
change of pace for teens sick of being cooped up in an indoor teen hangout space. But if
you do have a bit of space, and you don’t need much, think about how you can create a
private outdoor space that is just for your teenager and his or her friends. Even a few feet
of space, used creatively, can serve for this purpose. You can mark off the designated
teen space with outdoor cushions or furniture, or even with plants or potted trees. If you
build it, they will come, said the movie. The main thing is providing an option.
6. Grill Crazy. Let your teenager be the grill master. Teenagers love the informality of a
barbecue. Even a small grill along with some charcoal and hamburger patties will make
teens very happy people. Burning things is fun! (You may want to make sure you’ve got
some aloe vera gel handy in your first aid kit, just in case.)
7. Let the Games Begin. On a rainy day, teens may just pull out the chess board or
checkers and test their skills. Make sure you have a good selection of the kinds of games
that never grow old. And if all else fails, video games with great graphics are awesome.
Kids and technology. Always a crowd pleaser.
8. Movie Buffs. Everyone likes movies, even teens! Make sure you stock some classics and
some new ones, too. Of course, if you have Netflix, you solve that problem. Teens will
enjoy watching a series of movies in succession, such as for instance, a Marvel serial.
Just add popcorn.
 9. Silence is Golden. Duct Tape is Silver. Make a pact with yourself: you will never ever
raise your voice even a smidgen bit loud when your teen’s friends are staking out your
place as their local teen hangout. If ever you feel angry and your volume threatens to rise,
imagine you are sealing your mouth with duct tape. And keep imagining it. For hours. Or
until the urge to yell goes away. Failing that, scream into a pillow while sitting in your
bathroom with the shower running full blast. This usually does the trick. Caveat: don’t
take the pillow into the shower.
10. Go to Your Room. Feel like you don’t know how to talk to the kids, make them
comfortable? Worried you’ll say the wrong thing? Disappear. Go into your room. They’ll
know you’re in there and it will keep their behavior in check, just to know you’re there.
You don’t have to play like you’re their best friend and if you do and it doesn’t come off
natural, you’re liable to come off all Mrs. Robinson wrong instead and that will be the
last you’ll ever see of your teenager’s friends. You need to be so chill. And if you can’t
chillax, go into your bedroom and close the door.

11. Over time, all of these little tips and tricks will come to seem natural, and you too, will
develop a knack for hosting and relating to your teenager’s friends in comfort. The main
thing to do is dig in and begin. Soon enough, you’ll see the results of your efforts as the
teens begin to flock to your home as their “it” place for hanging out.
12. And if it ever seems  a bit too loud and rowdy, and you’re yearning for some quiet and
privacy, remember that being the local teen hangout is the key to knowing where your
child is, who he’s hanging out with, and what he or she is doing.

Creating a Teen Hangout Space

A few months ago I shared with you how we created a multipurpose space in our basement by
creating zones for workout equipment, TV watching, and storage for craft supplies and games.
Overall we were pretty happy with the space, and both the teens and the parents were using the
workout equipment fairly regularly.

But in deciding to use our basement this way- we had given up something kind of important-
a teen hangout space- where my teens and tweens could invite friends over and hang out
separately from being around their siblings!

It became pretty apparent that we didn't have a good solution when my teens wanted me
to drive them over to their friends' homes every weekend but didn't want to invite anyone
to our home.

If I made suggestions about how they could invite friends over and watch sports and eat snacks
in our family room while the rest of the family watched a movie in an adjacent room- it was clear
that they felt this wasn't “separate enough”.

Teens want to be able to chat with their friends without worrying that Mom or Dad or younger
siblings will hear and repeat the conversation. (This is probably especially important given our
family's size!)
And from my perspective- I want to make sure that I know the friends that my teens and tweens
hang out with! Dropping them off at someone's front door isn't giving me the chance to get to
know anyone. So once my husband and I “got this”- we decide to re-work the basement layout
once again- to create a teen hangout space.

Teen Hangout Furniture

The first thing we did was to re-examine everything in this room and figure out what needed to
move out to open up some space.

The treadmill, which can be folded up, was moved into our mudroom area, the desk was sold on
Craigslist, and other smaller pieces were relocated throughout the house.

The next step was to search for some cool teen hangout furniture that was cozy, comfy, would
stand the “abuse” of large children sprawled out all over it, and could also convert to beds if
friends wanted to sleep over.

Made from a very dense polyurethane foam, they will hold their shape no matter how
much kids pounce and lay all over them. The super soft plush slipcovers are all machine
washable (a must-have!) and you can configure the sofa or loveseat and ottomans several
different ways- to create multiple seating configurations, a game table, and of course,
beds!

Creating a Teen Hangout Space

by Sharon Rowley  3 Comments

A few months ago I shared with you how we created a multipurpose space in our basement by
creating zones for workout equipment, TV watching, and storage for craft supplies and games.
Overall we were pretty happy with the space, and both the teens and the parents were using the
workout equipment fairly regularly.

But in deciding to use our basement this way- we had given up something kind of important-
a teen hangout space- where my teens and tweens could invite friends over and hang out
separately from being around their siblings!
It became pretty apparent that we didn't have a good solution when my teens wanted me to drive
them over to their friends' homes every weekend but didn't want to invite anyone to our home.

3. DIY Escape Room Party at Home- MomOf6

×
Volume 0%
 
If I made suggestions about how they could invite friends over and watch sports and eat snacks
in our family room while the rest of the family watched a movie in an adjacent room- it was clear
that they felt this wasn't “separate enough”.

Teens want to be able to chat with their friends without worrying that Mom or Dad or younger
siblings will hear and repeat the conversation. (This is probably especially important given our
family's size!)

And from my perspective- I want to make sure that I know the friends that my teens and tweens
hang out with! Dropping them off at someone's front door isn't giving me the chance to get to
know anyone. So once my husband and I “got this”- we decide to re-work the basement layout
once again- to create a teen hangout space.

Teen Hangout Furniture

The first thing we did was to re-examine everything in this room and figure out what needed to
move out to open up some space.
The treadmill, which can be folded up, was moved into our mudroom area, the desk was sold on
Craigslist, and other smaller pieces were relocated throughout the house.

The next step was to search for some cool teen hangout furniture that was cozy, comfy, would
stand the “abuse” of large children sprawled out all over it, and could also convert to beds if
friends wanted to sleep over.

After doing some online research- we settled on a Jaxx Convertible Sofa and Jaxx Convertible
Loveseat.

Made from a very dense polyurethane foam, they will hold their shape no matter how much kids
pounce and lay all over them. The super soft plush slipcovers are all machine washable (a must-
have!) and you can configure the sofa or loveseat and ottomans several different ways- to create
multiple seating configurations, a game table, and of course, beds!

They were the perfect solution for us!

The one thing to know is that they do sit low to the floor. But our kids love this furniture- and
think it is the most comfortable place in our house!
Teen Hangout Media Center

Teen-Friendly Home Additions That Will Pay Off

One of the most endearing things parents do is prepare a nursery when there’s a baby on the way.
You don’t want to miss a single moment of those last few weeks as your baby bump grows larger
and your smile grows even wider. You’re so excited about the newcomer that you forget all
about the financial burden, physical pain, and nervousness surrounding childbirth. You want
to give them everything you possibly can, and more.

You won’t leave any stone unturned while renovating the house for the baby. And we understand
that because, we deal with families looking for residential real estate options in Fayetteville all
the time.

But if you’re planning to buy a house where your kids can grow up, we recommend getting a
space that has all the amenities and room that an adolescent needs.

It’s not long before your toddlers grow up to become teenagers, and you’ll have to deal with all
the issues of adolescence. Teenagers are a handful, especially if you dare to get on their wrong
side. That being said, it’s unfair to expect them to be content with the childish room décor they
had when they were five.

They need change and space for creative freedom. They’re on the brink of adulthood, and it’s
time for them to discover their potential, interests, hobbies, and personality. And home is where
all of these explorations start.

Here are some home additions that’ll make your teenage kids happy.

A Grownup Bedroom Makeover

Whether it was a Pink Panther bed or a Disney-themed room, your 14-year-old doesn’t want any
of that. They’re growing up, and that means they’ll invite friends over for homework or slumber
parties. It’s embarrassing to reveal a room that was so passionately decorated to appease their 6-
year-old self.

They’d love a makeover that’s more in line with their current interests. It could be related to the
music they listen to, the celebrities they follow, the skin/hair routine they swear by, or the books
they’re into.

Start by replacing the toy shelf with a bookcase. That reflects scholarly interests, and there’s
nothing more impressive than that. Every kid in the class will want to pair up with them for
projects, and that’s their route to popularity. Add in the right amount of cool and they’ll be good
to go.
Get rid of the bunk beds for the kids and get them two singles. This will transform the look of the
room. Moreover, change the colorful curtains to blinds of their choice. And if there’s no window,
you need to add one.

The room should be decorated with a modern twist, even if there isn’t enough space. However,
moving to a larger space is always a prudent choice when kids get older.

Add a Family Room

Adolescence is a transformative age where teenagers are prone to get distant from their
families. As they pursue an interest that is unconventional or new to you, they’re likely to rebel
or go against your wishes. It’s essential to make sure you keep them grounded and remind them
that you’re on the same team. And that’s not going to be easy.

You can’t dictate the rules of the house to them and expect them to comply without complaints.
Always choose a middle route that’s convenient for all parties and leave the floor open for
negotiations. Teenagers don’t want someone breathing down their necks all the time. As young
adults, they expect you to respect their personal space and boundaries.

Talk about things that are interesting to them. For instance, the music that’s in today, the art they
like, the movies they watch, etc. Express interest in their love lives (yes, that’s a thing at their
age) and keep your cynicism in check. Motivate them to explore all facets of their growing years
and show them that you have complete confidence in the decisions they make.

And the best place to have these conversations is in the family room; a space in the house that’s
dedicated to family gatherings is the greatest incentive for children to sit and chat with you.
Install a TV and sound system for some weekend entertainment. This allows you to plan family
parties, movie screenings, and game nights.

Speak to Phillip Fehler, an accomplished real estate agent, to communicate what you need in
your new home. He’ll find you the perfect home for your family’s needs and accommodate all
the amenities your teenage child(ren) needs.

Level Up Your Outdoors

As your kids grow up, they’ll need other places apart from their bedroom to frequent. They can’t
stay cooped up indoors all day, especially when the pandemic is still raging on and they have
nowhere to go. You need to renovate your house so they’re able to find fun activities in the
house.

Leveling up your backyard for them is a great idea. And for that, your house must have
one. When you’re ready to buy a house, hire the best real estate broker out there. You don’t want
to compromise on quality or size, despite any budget constraints.

If you have a backyard that’s big enough to allow room for improvement and additions, you can
add a swing or garden chairs to host outdoor parties. You can add a bonfire place to plan jam
sessions outdoors on chilly winter nights. That’s a major attraction for your teenage kids if they
like to have friends over.
Your outdoor space could also include a lavish pool area if you have an appetite for
extravagance. An in-house pool is everything you’ll ever wish for in your house and more. You
can get the pool designed by the best pool designers and constructors or buy a home with a pool
that suits your tastes. Spruce up the place with a cobblestone pathway leading to it and add beach
chairs on the sides for sunny days when you want to soak the sun.

Are you worried about who will find you a house that has all of these options for your teenage
children?

Phillip Fehler is a real estate broker at Fathom Realty who can make your dreams come true.

His experience in the real estate industry has granted him expert knowledge of the property
market. He offers his real estate brokerage services to many residential clients in Fayetteville and
Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

How to Design for Senior Citizens