Planning home construction when you have children, especially smaller ones, requires some special foresight. In general, it’s best to design the home for the bulk of the years they will spend there rather than the immediate future. At the same time, home construction offers a wonderful opportunity to engage your children in the process. They’ll be happier — and thus you will, too — if their concerns and desires are addressed during the process.
Design and layout ideas for families with children include:
Balance visibility and privacy. Many parents prefer an open design that allows for easily hearing and seeing kids when they aren’t within reach. Open second floors that look out over the foyer or living room allow for easy calling to help with this. The flip side is that kids will want more privacy as they grow older. It’s good to balance these considerations in the design.
Playrooms and living rooms can pull double duty if necessary — add built-in storage during home construction to keep the toys handy but easily hidden.
Shared bathrooms or “jack-and-jill” bathrooms help make better use of square footage and help teach sharing and time management skills.
Home offices and studies have become a little outdated in the mobile era, but children often benefit from a designated homework area outside of their bedroom. Include a multi-purpose room with a work area when planning your home construction.
Keep the old furniture and decor — or start new? If your child struggles with big changes, consider letting them keep the same furniture and accessories in their bedrooms rather than getting new items for the home.
How to Involve Kids in the Home Construction Process
Whether your kids are skeptical or excited about moving into a new home, it’s good to make them feel involved. It’s a huge transition in their lives! Their input and choices can help ensure a smooth, happy process throughout the home construction process — and thereafter.
Some tips for engaging your little ones (or teenagers) to build a kid-friendly home:
- Talk about their friends’ or cousins’ houses to get an idea of what they like and want out of their bedroom and common areas.
- Get honest info about what’s important: smaller or larger bedrooms? Are they really okay with bunk beds? Does your family need a kids room separate from the main family room or entertainment center?
- Drive around the new neighborhood to show them the streets, local restaurants, and their future school. Seeing things in person will allay most fears.
- Brainstorm design ideas. Focus on changeable decor like paint colors and bedspreads. Avoid regrettable choices that they will find dated or juvenile in a few years. Explain to them that home construction requires careful planning, but many design options can be personalized and adjusted later.
A home builder who takes a consultative approach can help you plan and prioritize around your children’s needs. For help designing the perfect family home and executing home construction the way you want, contact us at McNeil Construction to discuss!