Home improvements are, in most families, another way to describe what the parents want to change in the house. More often than not, these improvements are designed as a way to maximize the value of your property, while satisfying a need that is closely linked to the adult world. While there is nothing wrong with planning a kitchen extension or a bathroom makeover, it’s crucial to remember one thing: Your kids also have expectations for their home. Naturally, their dream home may be slightly different from yours. They probably don’t care yet about saving on energy bills or using eco-friendly insulation materials. But, it doesn’t mean that you should be ignoring their desires. After all, why couldn’t you give your kids the home they’re dreaming of? Kid-friendly improvements are guaranteed to put a smile on your face too.
Having fun is fun
Admittedly, there is no denying that you need to look after your home and make sure that it is safe and strong. But most of home improvement works are purely designed for aesthetic reasons. Sure getting double-glazing windows is essential to protect your family from the cold, but did you really need a bathroom makeover? The answer is that you wanted a change of decor. And that’s fine, as long as you can add another reason on the list of non-necessary makeovers, namely fun. Improving your home to bring more fun in your family life is actually an essential part of balancing responsibilities and pleasure in life. It’s part of what keeps you strong and productive day after day. So, if you’re wondering about adding an element of fun to your home, the answer is yes!
A playroom to unwind
Every kid needs to play. In fact, adults need to play too, as it part of your social behavior. So, the idea of converting your basement or spare bedroom into a playroom can be a lot more effective than you think. For a start, you can be sure that you’re keeping kids out of the way when you need to work in the house, which is a bonus. But more importantly, you can give your kids a room to relax and make the most of their energy in a positive way. If you have young children, you may want to consider using magnetic chalkboard paint on one wall so that they can draw and stick magnets to it. Older kids would be delighted with a gaming room, and that’s one you can share with them too!
Give your outdoors a sporty feel
Do you have a large flat outdoor area that you just don’t know how to use? It can be tricky to create a garden when your soil is hard and dry, as it is often the case in unmanaged backyards. But have you thought of turning your failed garden into exciting sport courts? You can transform the area into a tennis or basketball court, and plan fun family matches over the weekend.
Let’s all slide to the kitchen
Every child loves a slide. But surprisingly enough, sliding is fun for everyone and at every age. It’s not something you stop enjoying when you grow older. But it’s something you certainly stop doing at the playground because you simply can’t deal with the outraged look on the faces of other parents. But why not take your sweet revenge on social conventions and build a slide, not in your garden, but inside your home? There’s a home in Indonesia that has got an external concrete slide from the top floor to the ground. Carsten Höller, a Swedish architect, has a love for aluminium slides. He’s even installed a slide of over 40m high on the campus of Vitra Magazine in Germany! He’s definitely someone who knows how to have fun!
A thought in suspension
Finally, suspend your belief for an instant and let yourself float inside a net. Suspended nets are the new approach to comfort and fun, inside homes and even offices. Think of these as giant hammock bed that lies underneath the ceiling and above a main room. Perfectly safe, these large hammocks are the perfect spot to read your favorite books, relax at the end of a long day or simply take a short nap. For kids, they offer the possibility to spy on the rest of the family without being in the room – although everybody can see them! There’s a sense of freedom that you can’t find anywhere else … and it only takes a net to discover new meditative horizons!
So, the question that remains for you to answer is: What is your idea of fun improvements?
This post is a collaborative effort by St. Louis Dad.
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