Such an exciting period for your family! Not much can compare to the joy of welcoming a new tiny human into your life. One that you created and delivered into this world, no less. This precious little bundle of joy may be tiny, but it will bring tremendous changes in your life. Besides the mom’s body, one of the first changes will be those in your home.
If you haven’t already entered that famed nesting period, you are without a doubt about to. Some expecting parents start cleaning meticulously, others only set up a baby’s room, while some resort to extensive home remodeling projects. No approach is wrong. However, it is always wise to explore what renovations to do before the baby arrives.
If you are becoming parents for the first time, it will undoubtedly come in handy to learn how to make it safer for the little one and more accommodating for a new life. When you begin reading about home improvement to do before the baby comes, you may find things that you wouldn’t otherwise think of.
And while home renovations are often noisy and tiresome, you should know that there are ways to make it as simple as you can. A bit of research on what to do and how to make it more convenient for you will go a long way, and we are here to help you with the former.
Here at GreatBuildz, we often speak with clients every day who are planning renovations with a newborn in mind. GreatBuildz is a free service that connects homeowners with reliable, pre-screened home renovation contractors, then provides ongoing project support to ensure a stress-free experience.
In this blog, we’ll share some ideas, costs, and tips about renovations to do before the baby arrives and finding the best contractors for your project.
Deal with safety concerns
The most critical project to do before the baby comes is to address all the safety issues around your home. That is called baby-proofing. Handle the more significant problems first, such as mold, electrical or plumbing problems, faulty window hinges, etc. Also, walk around your home and see if there are any areas where the baby can get stuck or hurt and secure them.
Your baby will start crawling and walking in no time, so deal with some fundamental safety issues.
Then, baby gates are an absolute must if you have stairs. Finally, baby-proof corners and edges as well as sockets. Your baby will start crawling and walking before you know it, and these tiny creatures are a curious bunch that likes to stick their fingers everywhere. Cupboards are the next to get some modifications. Install safety latches and child locks on everything your child could possibly reach. Pay special attention to your kitchen as it contains the most dangerous items.
Finally, you may need to reconfigure the layout in your home so your baby cannot pull on any cables and invite harm on themselves. So small kitchen appliances should be out of reach; lamps, different ornaments, etc., as well.
Set up a lovely nursery
Of course, this is the first and the most apparent renovation project you will do. If you are lucky to have a spare room for this purpose, you can begin preparation as early as you want. And although you may think that setting up a nursery is a pretty straightforward thing, once you start planning the work, you will realize there is so much more to it than you have thought.
Setting up a nursery is the most obvious thing you will put in your home upgrade plan.
A mistake many parents make is to consider only the baby’s needs when designing this room. However, that would make it pretty functional. You have to keep in mind that you, too, will spend a lot of time there. It is where you will feed the baby, change it, rock it to sleep, and when it grows up a little, play with it. So, when thinking about how to create a perfect nursery, always keep these three points in mind:
- Practicality
- Safety
- Ease of cleaning
Items you will need for the baby’s room and a few considerations:
- The crib – be careful when choosing the bedding and avoid any decorative pieces that could be a choking hazard
- Curtains – try to keep them outside the bay’s reach
- Rugs and carpets – leave them out if possible. It’s easier to clean the hardwood floor. Moreover, rigs and carpets accumulate dust no matter how often you vacuum them, and they can be a tripping hazard.
- Closets and storage solutions – baby items may be small, but they are plentiful. So, you will need a closet for the clothes, shelving, and cupboards for the toys, books, and a myriad of accessories. Make sure to secure them to the wall or have them built-in, so there is no chance of injury.
- A changing table – your back will thank you, as you won’t have to bend so much when changing your baby multiple times a day. Plus, these often provide storage for diapers, baby powder, creams, and other cosmetics.
- A comfortable armchair – as we have said, you will spend a lot of time here, so you should also be comfortable when feeding the baby and putting it to sleep.
Laundry room, appliances, and bathroom upgrades
These are essential. If you are lucky to have a dedicated space for a laundry room, make it’s as practical as possible. A baby comes with endless piles of laundry. Thus, you will be using this room almost as much as the nursery. So, you must have a functional folding and ironing space. Also, child lock on cabinets with detergents are a must.
Furthermore, if your washer, dryer, dishwasher, or any other essential piece of equipment is due for replacement, don’t postpone it. Sleep deprivation will be your reality during your first months, and you don’t want to be stuck washing baby bottles manually or panicking over a pile of dirty laundry because your appliances have let you down.
If you need to update your bathroom, it’s best to do it before the baby comes.
And finally, the bathroom upgrade – a dreaded project that is laud, long, and just plain inconvenient. If you have to give it some love and care, it is one of the renovations to do before the baby arrives. If you plan to bathe your baby here, your bathroom must be warm, safe, and cozy.
Make your outdoor space safe and comfortable
You will be happy to have done this once the baby starts crawling and wobbling around. So, replace the deck or the patio, if necessary, create a comfortable sitting area, and add some shade. Baby’s eyes are very sensitive, and sunlight may harm them. If you ensure your outdoor space is safe, you will have fewer concerns to deal with later.
Plus, some babies like to spend time outdoors and are calmer there. So, a lovely outdoor living area will be a blessing for the entire family.
Creating a safe and comfortable outdoor living space will be beneficial for everyone.
Now go and tackle all the renovations to do before the baby arrives
Every home is different, and everyone’s needs are unique. So, you should adopt our list of renovations to do before the baby arrives to suit your specific situation. Consider the state of your home and your budget. Then create a list of priorities and start from there. Whatever you decide, remember that freshly painted walls will transform your home and are always welcome. Also, a deep clean is something that should go without saying.
When it comes to planning and coordinating a renovation for your home, you shouldn’t have to go it alone – GreatBuildz can help simplify your renovation experience.
GreatBuildz is a free service that connects homeowners with reliable, thoroughly screened general contractors and provides project support from start to finish. Call now (818.317.3567) to chat with a real person about your next renovation project or visit our website for more information: www.greatbuildz.com.
