The Most Attractive Toddler Proof Decor

Use Soft Furnishings

You wouldn’t want a house full of sharp corners and hardwood floors, especially if you have a tiny toddler running around. Soft, padded furnishings will prevent bruises and bumps that come with the inevitable falls that toddlers have daily. The soft cushionings act as a protective barrier, should your toddler slip and hit their head on the corner of an ottoman or couch. Cushions are also easier to clean. You can usually just take the cover off and throw it into the wash. It’s a great way to toddler-proof your house so they can explore, without losing your aesthetics and style (Toddle Kind).

Install A Stylish Safety Gate For Stairs And Hazardous Rooms

These safety gates need to be in front of your bathroom and kitchen, and front of any staircases or other hazardous areas. Even though it’ll slow you down for a few seconds, it’ll keep your toddler protected. And you don’t need to sacrifice style when it comes to safety gates, you can get a cute, sophisticated one that acts as a statement piece. It’s worth those few extra seconds of fumbling with the latch of a safety gate. These gates prevent toddlers from tumbling down the stairs and injuring themselves. It’ll also keep them out of hazardous rooms.

Nurse Wellard says, “Around that 6-month mark, it’s time to start getting these things ready. When they’re a newborn, you don’t have to do that, but the minute they start moving and rolling, it’s time to get those gates out.” With plenty of choices, you can choose a stylish gate that matches the aesthetics and other furniture around your home. You’ll sleep better at night knowing there’s zero chance of your toddler accidentally falling down the stairs and having to go to the ER. And you’ll even have a new statement piece in your home (Today).

Buy Round-Edged Furniture

Instead of sprinkling sharp edges around your home, try purchasing tables and chairs with smooth, round edges. This will reduce injuries if your toddler accidentally trips. A cute, rounded coffee table or bedside table will do the trick. Depending on the theme of your home, you can look at furniture that pairs well with that theme. A dark wooden coffee table does well in a sophisticated living room. If you already have furniture in your home, you can easily purchase corner guards to smooth them out. One way to do this is to put corner guards on furniture lower to the ground, like bedside tables. There are some attractive, stylish corner guards out there, so you don’t have to sacrifice style to toddlerproof your home.

Jessica Delfino from Apartment Therapy toddler-proofed her home with corner guards. She said, “I covered the edges with a peel-and-stick foam padding strip. I put it on anything that was pokey or potentially forehead-smack inducing. It was super easy to use and inexpensive — a terrific combo. Plus, it comes in a rainbow of colors to match all the furniture.” There’s no need to sacrifice style when it comes to making your home safe. You can have both (Apartment Therapy).

Build A Cabinet Around Your Hot Water Heater

To prevent any injuries from tap water scalds, which mainly occur in the elderly and toddlers under five, make sure you’re familiar with your water heater and how it works. It’s important to lock the knobs and make it inaccessible to your toddler. Nurse Meghann Wellard, says, “Around 15 months, kids become fascinated with playing with knobs and turning things. They get into the bathroom, turn on the hot water, and scald themselves. We saw so many burns in the emergency room caused by kids playing in the bathrooms. But if the thermostat is set to less than 120 degrees, they can’t do that. It’s something easy that people just don’t think of.”

To keep your toddler safe and your home stylish, you can build a cupboard around your water heater if it’s in an obvious place, or turn it into a corner table. Have some fun with it and decorate the table with plants and flowers. This is an easy DIY project that will keep your toddler safe (Today).

Wall Decals

Wall decals make a playful, harm-free space for you and your children. They’re non-toxic, decorative, colorful, and stylish, and made from safe material that won’t harm your children. If your toddler loves anything from astronauts to unicorns, there’s a wall decor out there for them. Simply place them on their wall and watch their faces light up every time they walk into the room. You can also create a gallery wall with their art, or display whiteboards with toddler-safe markers so they have the chance to draw whenever they feel like it. Besides, they should draw on the whiteboard rather than on your walls (Wayfair).

Implement A Shoes Off Policy

It comes as no surprise that shoes are full of germs and bacteria. This is especially harmful to your little ones. They constantly put their hands in their mouths and haven’t yet mastered the art of hygiene. Jessica Delfino from Apartment Therapy said, “I see the disgusting things people leave on the ground, which is why I insist people take off their shoes when they come into the house. I consider this a form of kid-proofing because it means I have to vacuum, mop, and scrub to keep the home safe for my kids that much less.” You can purchase a cute, stylish shoe rack that fits next to your front door. When people enter your home, they must leave their shoes on the shoe rack. This can easily compliment the rest of your home and make it look more organized (Apartment Therapy).

Create A Fenced-In Play Area

There’s nothing more reassuring than having a fenced-in play area for your toddler that’s completely safe. Whether you’re cooking, cleaning the house, or working from home, you can relax knowing your child is safe inside a play area. You can opt to build a DIY play area for your toddler, or even purchase a foldable play area.

According to KG Landscape, “One benefit of having a yard is having space for kids and pets to play. Even if they’re supervised, though, both children and pets can find infinite ways to get into trouble. One way to reduce worry is to install a fence around the play area or the entire yard. With fencing and a good gate, little ones won’t wander into the street or a neighbor’s yard, and can be safe from neighbors’ pets as well.” It depends on how much time you have and how much space you have in your home and backyard (Pinterest).

Use Rubber Flooring And Foam Padding

To cushion your toddler’s inevitable falls, consider rubber flooring in play areas. This will give you peace of mind when your toddler is full of energy and running around your living room. Your toddler’s safety comes before anything else. By providing cushioned flooring, you’re already preventing potential injuries that come with falls on hard floors. Designer Kim Butler suggests, “They are learning how to use their bodies, so you need to protect them from injuries both indoors and outside with safe, comfortable flooring that will cushion their falls.

Concrete and hard tile are simply too hard. Cushioning the floor with foam mats, rubber flooring, or carpet is the way to go.” They come in all sorts of styles and colors, which means you can pick ones that complement your overall space. You can also opt for fun, colorful puzzle flooring to use in your space. This is a fun alternative for your kids, who will love having to fit the pieces together (Gym Flooring).

Toddler Proof The Crib

You can find a safe crib for your toddler without sacrificing safety. It’s possible to find a cute, sophisticated crib to match the aesthetic of the rest of your home! Besides, a stylish crib is certainly a wonderful addition to a home that already has a cozy, homely atmosphere. You can also decorate the crib to match the theme of your home, whether that’s bohemian, farmhouse, or contemporary. Between 2011 and 2013, there were an estimated 12,100 emergency-department-treated injuries to toddlers associated with cribs and their mattresses.

This is an alarmingly large number, and it’s up to you to keep it as low as possible. Nurse Wellard goes on to suggest, “Obviously when they’re newborns, you can have the crib at the highest setting, but when they change developmentally — as soon as they can pull up, for example — you have to lower it to the lowest level because if not, they can pull up and launch themselves out of there.” Make sure you never put pillows or blankets inside the crib, as this can become a choking hazard for your child (Today).

Install Stylish Cordless Blinds

To reduce the number of choking hazards in your home (you want it at zero!), swap out traditional blinds for cordless ones. But it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style, cordless blinds can add a sophisticated look. The CSPC recommends cordless blinds in any homes where babies and toddlers live. According to the CSPC, between 2012 and 2017, more than four dozen children died due to entanglement in the cords of blinds.

Mainly, this occurs when children are left alone in their room. This will easily eliminate any strangulation hazards. These are also beneficial for your home. They’re stylish and modern, and have a clean aesthetic to give your room a streamlined look. Anything to reduce the clutter! They come in many different styles, which means you can pick one that looks good in your home (The Blind Man).

Install A Cute Book Nook

One way to safe-proof your space is to design cozy reading nooks with child-friendly bookshelves. This will keep your toddler busy and prevent them from wandering around your home and into hazardous rooms. As long as you keep them busy, they’re less likely to get into trouble. You can build a DIY book nook with shelves, cushions, and colorful books that your toddler loves. Place it near a window to add natural light into the book nook, and install a lamp overhead for nighttime light. This is an adorable spot to bond with your toddler and make it a cozy place to read your child a book (Pinterest).

Install Child-Safe Plants And A Garden

There’s no better way to create a homely environment than by incorporating child-safe plants that are non-toxic. This greenery is a great way to introduce non-toxic plants into your home to enhance the decor and give your space a calmer, more welcoming feel. If you don’t want your child touching the plants, you can install them out of reach and away from their tiny hands. Common plants include sunflowers, strawberry plants, mint, and lavender. Better yet, ff you have a garden or outdoor space, you can build a child-friendly area by installing a small, low-to-the-ground, and fenced-off garden that’s easily accessible for your toddler. You can plant child-safe, non-toxic, colorful flowers. Your child will get to explore the outdoor world in a safe and controlled setting (Mr. Plant Geek).

Install Floating Shelves

By installing floating shelves in your home, you can display your toddler’s favorite toys and books out of reach. Not only will they not have any way of climbing to them, but they’ll get to admire them from afar at the same time. With limited pieces of furniture to crawl on, this will make your home much safer than having tons of shelves stacked upon each other. Don’t rely on drywall to keep your toddler safe, since this has a higher chance of crumbling. Decorating your home with floating shelves is also one way to add personality to your home (Shelfology).

Decorate With Soft, Washable Fabrics

Not only are soft, washable fabrics safe to use for your toddlers, but they’re also easy to wash in case there are spills. You can pick fabrics that match the aesthetics of your home, and make sure they’re easily washable. Chances are, if you have a toddler running around your home, you’ll have plenty of spills daily (Just Fabrics).

Sensory Paths

You can get creative with this one! Create a sensory path or trail throughout your home by using all things sensory. This includes sensory tiles, rugs, or stickers that engage your toddler’s senses as they walk or crawl along the path. You can use pieces that stimulate smell, touch, and eyesight. This not only provides sensory stimulation but also encourages them to stay on the designated path throughout your home, making it less likely they’ll wander into the wrong room. This will also help your toddler develop their sensory paths, including balance, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness (Twinkl).

Use Child-Safe Paint

There’s a chance your curious toddler will try to pick the paint off your wall and chew on it as they grow up. It’s not rare for toddlers to stick random objects in their mouths, and paint is one of them. This is why it’s so important to choose non-toxic, VOC-free paint for walls, furniture, and toys. They don’t contain any dangerous ingredients, and while they’re not necessarily edible, they certainly won’t harm your child (Little Greene).

Use Wicker Basket Toy Storage Bins

This is a fun way to keep your home organized and safe while entertaining your toddler at the same time. Your toddler will love scooping up their toys and putting them into color-coordinated baskets. Better yet, you can put on some music and have them help you clean up. You can choose woven baskets with soft handles, or a cotton canvas bag to hold your children’s toys. Place these in their playroom, so they’re out of sight when not in use. Keeping toys tucked away will also prevent your child from tripping on loose toys. Your toddler can even play with the wooden basket in addition to their toys (Independent).

Replace Tablecloths With Stylish Napkins

Even though it might seem toddler-proof, tablecloths are dangerous to have around a toddler. Not only can they trip over them if they’re dangling on the floor, but they can grab the tablecloth, pull on it, and send the contents on top of the table flying. If you can’t live without your tablecloths, you can fasten them to the table using clips and pegs to keep them sturdy and secure. That way, that glass vase and China won’t end up in pieces on the floor, or worse, hitting your child. One way to keep your tables stylish, without tablecloths, is to use decorative napkins underneath your plates. There are plenty of fun styles and colors out there that will easily complement your kitchen and its accents (Net Doctor).

Cover Your Stove Knobs And Door Knobs

To prevent your toddler from climbing onto your counter and turning on the stove, use stove knobs. If you don’t have a gas stove, you can play with the settings of your stove to keep it locked when it’s not in use. You do not want your toddler accidentally burning their hand with fire or heat. You could also remove the stove knobs completely when they’re not in use. This will prevent your toddler from using them if you don’t want to have plastic covers sitting on your stove. Even if your stove isn’t on, it’s still a hazard because it could tip over if your toddler climbs on top of it. Make sure it’s secure and completely fastened to the ground or wall.

You can purchase stylish door knob covers to prevent your toddler from opening the wrong door. These come in many different shades and colors, so it’s easy to find ones that match the aesthetic of your home (Consumer Reports).

Use Safety Netting On Your Deck

If you have a balcony or deck, use safety netting to prevent your toddler from accidentally falling off. This is especially important for your home if you live in an apartment that’s several stories high. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially if your toddler is prone to climbing on things. According to Balcony Decoration, “I recommend you to measure the dimensions of the balcony. Also, you should be sure that the safety nets how high quality and resistance to external and internal exposures. Another significant point is some of these nets don’t disturb your sight while you look at the landscape of the city on the balcony.” Even though it’s not the most aesthetically pleasing thing in your home, it’s still an attractive way to keep your child safe (Balcony Decoration).