STARTING A FAMILY HOME THAT WORKS!

Finding a home for your new and upcoming family can be overwhelming, but so is designing it. There are a lot of things to consider, especially if you and your partner are expecting a new addition to the family. Decorating the nursery is one thing, but baby-proofing your entire home is another.

GENERAL TIPS

Toys and baby supplies will surely be everywhere so organizers are recommended especially in the area where you and your little one will spend most of your time. Remember to use organizers that won't topple over your child and always think of safety first before buying. Here are some recommended organizers for you! I wish I saw more colors for girls, though! I know wicker/abaca baskets are the in-thing now but please don't use them as you wouldn't want your child's milk/lotion or what have you to spill on them. For easiest cleanup, the best ones would be plastic. But for more professionally looking organizers, try the ones below. DISCLAIMER: Neither SM nor Daiso paid me to do this! I wish! hahaha!

1. SM My Things oval bins - What I love about these, aside from the price, is that they're very safe for children. No small openings too where those little fingers can get stuck!

via SM Home

2. SM Rectangular bins- These are perfect for those disposable or cloth diapers! Aren't they lovely?! I love those handles as well, perfect for carrying!

via SM Home

3. SM Home boxes - These adorable boxes can contain your child's mementos-- like her baptismal dress, or even her first shoes.

4. Daiso stacking box - These are perfect for your child's toiletries like nappy cream and baby lotion.

via Daiso

PLAYTIME & MORE TIPS

Create a baby corner or a safe space at your home where your child can play freely while you watch and do other things. I remember that time when my son started to crawl (and yes, he got into everything), my lifesaver was the playpen. And time for parents? For the mother most especially? Consider it very precious!

As I mentioned in the previous article, keep all small objects away from those curious hands! Especially when they get to the age where they place everything in their mouth! If you have a treadmill, do keep it in another room. The same goes with your other gym equipment.

ON DINING AREAS

A high chair at the kitchen and/or dining area is a necessity for when you eat together as a family. It gives you a chance to put your baby safely and helps keep both of your hands free. I know this might seem like a no-brainer, but in case you're having second thoughts, a high chair is a good thing! 

Another point to consider in your dining area is a table with no sharp edges or corners, one which isn't prone to break, where baby food spills are acceptable, as well as scratches for when they start playing with hard toys and play-doh. The best shapes for a table are round or oval. You can get away with a rectangular table as long as its edges are rounded off.

ON CRAFT SPACES

Aside from the usual safety tips, as parents, how do we make the most out of our home? And how do we make time for ourselves? Now that my child is all grown up, I had those moments when I was just so terribly exhausted that there were a lot of times I tried putting my son to sleep but I was the first one to do so!!! Learn to forgive yourself and give yourself some slack.

IKEA RASKOG trolley via Lazada

At times when I'm not asleep, I made some scrapbooks to document all those precious moments. Speaking of scrapbooks, I know there are a lot of moms out there who love to do arts and crafts! Now, having the time to do it is one thing but relegating a space for that is another. Remember that your child will grow up fast so even though he/she may not be able to crawl yet, you want to keep all those small and sharp craft materials away from them.

Designate your craft space. It can be a small corner in your room or if you don't have that much space, have a craft cart with wheels you can move in different areas of your home so you can watch your children while they are asleep and you can do your crafts.  Check the IKEA trolley from Lazada. Another option is those carts below. I saw some of them previously at True Value. Do check it out.

via Sam's Club

ON CHILDREN'S ROOMS

When it comes to designing their room, I know you may be tempted to do a full scale makeover and make it a theme room! If you know you're going to have this redone when they're teenagers, then go for it! But if you're like me and you feel the waste(!), you can use wall decals and a fresh coat of paint in light pastel colors. If you're feeling adventurous, you can still make it look gorgeous by painting stripes or using a stencil if you even find the time to DIY. Paint is the easiest and cheapest way to do it. Use non-toxic paint!

ON BUYING BEDS

Use a convertible bed. One that is a crib and converts into a children's bed. That is the most cost efficient way to do it. Before buying, remember to check your crib/bed for sharp edges!

ON LIGHTING

When your child graduates from using a portable potty trainer, keep a small nightlight for those trips to the bathroom. Get a low 1 watt light or even lower if you get disturbed by the brightness. Check out the night light from Lazada below for some cuteness overload! 

via Lazada

As a parent and a homeowner, you only want what’s best for your kids and the environment they will grow up in. It starts at home. Considering a professional to remove all that headache? I can design your child's room and childproof it. Or if you're considering advice for a good color palette that suits your design style, check out my color palette services below.

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