Preparing for your first grandchild

Hearing the news that a baby is on the way is always exciting but is especially so when it’s your first grandchild!   There are so many details to consider however as a designer, I always begin by thinking about how the design of a home will have an impact on how easily people will live in it.

The arrival of a first grandchild is both exciting and stressful but there are simple design principles that can be implemented to make sure that your home is ready for all of the fun activities that are sure to come!

First thing first, babies do spend a lot of time on the floor until they are able to run and play.  Making sure that you have the right kind of carpet is essential.  This beautiful shag run feels great underfoot but can act as a magnet trapping in it pretty much anything that falls to the floor.  Shorter pile rugs are better but if shag is what you prefer, make sure you have a great vacuum!

I find a lot of clients inquiring about what colours and materials should be used on a sofa when there are kids in the home.  While lighter colours are always much more sensitive, if white is best for you, I’d probably suggest leather.  This way, whatever is spilt can be quickly wiped away before it’s properly absorbed.  In terms of fabrics, always refer to the manufacturers label to see the cleaning code and abrasion rating to determine whether or not it is a good fit for your space.

Of course, with children of any age come lots of toys.  These clever storage ottomans are a great way to tuck away toys of all shapes and sizes.  You can even colour coordinate ottomans for individual grandchildren as your family grows!

Last but not least, young and old, everyone in the family will love to look at the memories you’ve created together if you have a photo collage.  Simple frames can be mounted to your wall in organic or symmetrical ways to reflect your personal style.  It’s so easy to quickly update them too when you capture a fun moment shared with loved ones.