Whereas generally I do dream of getting a home sooner or later with a little bit extra room (particularly as a household with two adults working from house), we’ve undoubtedly realized to utilize the area that we do have, and try to share most areas of the home for twin functions. Our entrance room doubles as a visitor room, our eating space doubles as my work desk, and what was simply my workplace/craft storage room is now additionally Lola’s playroom and the place we’ve been storing nearly all of her toys. As you’ll be able to think about, it takes a little bit little bit of thought and planning to share an area like that with an energetic toddler. So I believed I’d share what works for us in case anybody else must have a dual-purpose room as nicely!
Innocent gadgets are accessible whereas harmful ones usually are not: Particularly in my craft provide space, I’ve plenty of issues like scissors, X-Acto knives, and different little sharp instruments that I clearly don’t need Lola to come up with. Whilst she learns to make use of scissors (which she loves doing), her little scissor units are up with my large ones excessive on a shelf the place she will be able to’t get to them on her personal. It’s additionally a good suggestion to consider any stools or chairs within the room that may very well be used to face on and ensure they’re unreachable even standing on a type of. I don’t really feel the necessity to put each merchandise of mine up excessive although, if it’s not a harmful factor. For instance, she might get to my material provide that I maintain in a low dresser or my paper assortment which is on the underside shelf of my storage lockers. However that will be extra of a nuisance than a hazard. In fact, every age has its personal issues to consider, so whereas Lola can get to small wool balls and pom-poms in my craft storage (she likes to play with them in a lot of methods), a youthful youngster that’s nonetheless placing issues of their mouth could choke on these so they might be within the “out-of-reach” class for them. Even issues like artwork provides are positioned accordingly so Lola can get to crayons or coloured pencils every time she needs, however the everlasting markers are out of sight.
Make use of storage cupboards (with lockable choices): I obtained this storage locker particularly as a result of it had cabinets that had been up excessive and out of attain and had an choice so as to add a little bit padlock to a door if it was one you needed to maintain locked. In the intervening time, I’ve adopted the above information for preserving innocent issues like paper on the underside and stitching needles on the high, so I haven’t needed to lock something, but it surely’s nice to know that if I wanted to have the cupboard filled with issues I didn’t need her to get to, I might very simply.
Cabinets for everybody to share: Rows of cabinets are useful as a result of they are often simply switched to retailer any form of object and Lola has the underside cabinets for her gadgets whereas I can use the highest ones she would want assist with reaching anyhow. I’ve a cluster of built-in cabinets that we share, however then I even have some decrease ones elsewhere that she retains some artwork provides on.
Toys are simple to get to (and simple to place away): As there may be truly SO a lot saved on this room with each Lola’s and my gadgets, I needed a toy storage system that made tidying up simple and one thing that Lola might do on her personal. Issues like open shelving and dice baskets make it attainable for Lola to get issues down and clear up and put away issues on her personal as nicely. It’s not each time, in fact, however I discover that plenty of toddlers truly wish to put away toys when you have got a clear up tune they like, and so they love throwing small gadgets into bins and baskets. So it’s nice apply for studying to be a helper round the home.
Make use of kid-proofing gadgets: In fact, there are many kid-proofing gadgets available on the market, so make use of any that assist maintain your stuff out of your child’s fingers (we use magnetic locks in our kitchen and they’re nice), however the one factor that I’ve within the room is a childproof doorknob cowl for the closet. I purposefully tried to seek out locations to retailer something she would want to get to within the room with out having to make use of the closet, so I might simply put no matter I needed to in there and shut the door. I don’t have something harmful down low within the closet simply in case I neglect and go away the door open for a minute, so it’s extra like breakables or fragile issues I’d moderately not have destroyed. Haha.
I don’t know if there’s an ideal system for sharing an space with children, however this appears to be working nicely for us up to now. Sure, generally Lola will get paper out of my cupboard with out asking or pushes buttons on the printer (I normally maintain it unplugged after which she’s not taken with it), however these are simply a part of the traditional conversations you have got with small children as they learn to hear and comply with guidelines. Like all the pieces round the home, you’ll alter issues as children develop to suit their stage of improvement (ultimately she’ll determine childproof doorknob covers so I’ll have to consider one thing else there if wanted), however that’s a reasonably regular factor that folks are at all times looking out for. I’ve seen that there are gadgets Lola might get to that I would favor she didn’t (like some paints), however as a result of they’re in a distinct container than what she’s used to seeing her paint in, she has no clue they’re there. Haha! I assume that one is a little bit of a big gamble, however the worst case situation could be a multitude to scrub up, so I assume I’ll danger it. Hope this was useful in your house if you must share your area as nicely with somebody small! xo. Laura
Sources: Form Print, Leopard Print, Swan and Unicorn Heads, Lion Head (DIY) Bear Head.