A lot of things will change when families expect a child. The parents will have to prepare everything around them, including lifestyle choices, financial decisions, and careers. However, one of the initial adjustments involves creating room for a child at home. Most families who are expecting a baby might consider relocation.
However, that might not be the best option when you don’t have the financial capacity. Repurposing rooms could prevent you from having to invest in mortgage loans. It will still be costly, but it is less expensive than having to buy a new house. Here are a few things you need to know when making room for your new family member in an existing home that previously had no space for one.
Which Rooms Take the Fall?
Homes are complex establishments with multi-purpose rooms for the homeowners. Among the interior areas are the usual:
- Living room
- Kitchen
- Master Bedroom
- Bathrooms
Most homes, even studio-type condominium units, have these areas available. However, most residential properties have more. There could be secondary bedrooms, guest bedrooms, secondary bathrooms, secondary living rooms, home offices, laundry rooms, and other features. If you have a spare bedroom, your problems might not be as challenging as it seems.
The real issue is when you have to turn a room dedicated to other purposes than sleeping. The first step is identifying which ones you can live without in your home. Those that provide storage solutions are seamless adjustments. However, parents might want an area close to the master’s bedroom, limiting the choices to the secondary bedroom or the attic.
Homeowners have over nine months to prepare for the extra room, but there’s always the choice of keeping the child in the master’s bedroom.
What if There’s No Space?
Unfortunately, some families have limited options. Some residential properties might be providing the bare minimum because the area does not have enough space for them. This situation means that your only choice is creating space in the bedroom. Moving to a bigger home or adding a second floor might not work due to financial complications.
However, you might still have extra space in your residential area for an additional room. If you live in a single-story area, you can extend your indoor area within its vicinity. The extra space could help you create a small room, enough to fit a child.
There might be a few issues with the community when you build a room. Some families might have to seek permission for construction when your project extends to their area. Creating a new room might take away space from your outdoor property, but giving your child a living space will make the renovation worth the costs.
Baby-Proofing the Area
Once you choose or build a dedicated space for your child, the next step is turning the room into a comfortable living space. Designers optimize rooms for safety and comfort, but extra caution is necessary involving babies or young children. Baby-proofing the room will be essential, starting with the systems inside. Parents need to have the area inspected for electrical and plumbing issues. Lighting and ventilation also require attention.
Once the room is stable in household systems, focusing on the items inside will be next. Babies and young kids are energetic and curious, which means everything in the room might end up becoming a threat. The first sets are chemical hazards and sharp and fragile objects, household items that should be out of reach at all costs.
While toys are welcome, the ones posing choking hazards require containment in locked storage. Pieces of furniture are essential, but parents need to ensure that babies and kids cannot budge or move them. Heavy cabinets and tables will be necessary, and using bean bags might be the better option. A crib would be the best option when providing a sleeping area for babies.
Visiting the bed store will be necessary once they grow up. Baby-proofing ensures the health and safety of your child, even if you are sleeping well inside your room.
What About the Existing Household Items?
Since you are repurposing a room, you will have household items in limbo. While most of them are easy to find a new area to call home, there might be a few that your residential property cannot hold. Big pieces of furniture and appliances that cannot fit into storage areas, you might have to find ways to repurpose them too.
The first option is giving them away to a loved one who might have use for them. Another choice is holding a garage sale, which could help you finance repurposing the room. There are many ways to deal with extra household items, but throwing them away should be the last resort.
Welcoming a child into the world is a responsibility, and creating space for the new family member is part of it. Fortunately, you have plenty of time to prepare. If you want to make things quick, this guide could help you significantly.