Going from being a couple to being a family is always a major transition. This transition can vary on some level from person to person, but there are certain commonalities that most will experience. All new parents experience the typical changes that come with welcoming a baby into the family.
There are exciting elements, like buying new baby clothes and decorating the nursery. And there are more tedious aspects, like baby-proofing the home. This doesn’t always have to happen instantly. You typically will have time to prepare, if not a lot.
Baby-proofing a house isn’t just about setting up a gate in front of the stairs or setting up locks on cabinets. It’s also about creating a home that is, in the long term, easier for your child to use. There are certain things that you won’t want to be necessarily baby or kid-friendly, like your knife drawer.
But as your child grows up and they begin doing things like making their own cereal in the morning or filling their own juice cups, you’ll want to make sure that they’re able to more easily use the parts of the kitchen that you want them to use. That being said, a kitchen isn’t necessarily going to be kid-ready as soon as you move into your home. Most of the time, you’ll have to make some types of alterations, if not complete renovations or updates on some level.
This doesn’t come without some degree of effort, and it’s important to start planning ahead of time rather than putting it off. Some of the changes you’ll want to make before your baby is even born. And the benefits may well extend far beyond the immediate effects it will have for your family.
What types of renovations should I make before baby arrives?
Some renovations ought to be made to your kitchen before baby arrives. Your kitchen may have to be updated as your child grows, transforming from a baby-proof kitchen to a kid-friendly kitchen.
A lot of people have the idea that they need to break the bank when making any time of kitchen updates. However, you can stay within your budget will updating your kitchen ahead of your child’s arrival. If you need to make larger renovations, this my involve shopping around for the right company to work with, which offers the best possible quotes. This is really another aspect of shopping around; and considering the fact that 2017 saw retail sales hit a record of $5.7 trillion, most of us are rather familiar with retail sales.
Of course, some of the updates you’ll make can easily be done on your own. Think about adding soft leather drawer pulls, in order to help older kids have an easier time pulling out the drawers. You may want to accent this addition with regular leather treatments, through leather conditioners or protection creams, recommended every four to six months.
You’ll still want to rely upon baby gates if your kitchen is near the stairs but consider more attractive and cohesive baby gates. Use bumpers in parts of the kitchen as well, especially sharper corners. Your child could easily fall, whether they’re learning to walk or simply running around too quickly. Bumpers will stop them from hurting themselves. By backing that up with a step stool as well, you’ll make your kitchen sink easily accessible for your child if you wish.
Is a kitchen update worth it?
Understandably, a lot of renovations don’t necessarily feel worth it. They do, after all, require a certain amount of investment ahead of time without proof of results. However, even if you’re making an update with kids in mind, it can still have long-term results.
For example, a minor kitchen remodel will usually offer a return on investment of 82.7%. If you own a single-family home, chances are that someone with kids may someday buy your house. Ultimately, this means that you’ll likely see a return on the investment you put into your kitchen. Don’t look at these investments as an empty way of spending; rather, you should look at them as a way to add value to your home.
Can I update my kitchen without being wasteful?
A lot of people worry about being wasteful when making certain renovations. They hate the idea of creating a lot of debris and tearing apart their kitchens — however, there is a lot more updating your kitchen than what may initially meet the eye. You can take steps to recycle while renovating your kitchen and should do so. Over time, if everyone recycles, it builds up.
By recycling one ton of cardboard, you can save over 9 yards of cubic yards of landfill space. You should go ahead and take the steps that you can to not only recycle cardboard, but also things like plywood, stone, and even concrete. While steps like these may not seem to be significant at the moment, you’re ultimately making a decision that will have positive environmental effects. You’re not only updating your kitchen but creating a more positive ecosystem for your children.
When renovating your kitchen, you may very well run into certain challenges and hiccups. But it’s not just a simple update you’re undertaking. You’re making your kitchen safer and easier for your child to use. Isn’t that worth it in the long term?