For homeowners who have chosen to install a conservatory in order to add more living space to their property, home offices and gyms may be popular options. However, for families with young children, your conservatory might just make the perfect children’s play area. Not only do kids love playing in natural light, the conservatory can help them to feel as if they are outside – in all weather – while remaining somewhat supervised. Having a designated room for children to play in can really help to improve the rest of the home, since toys and other junk can be safely stored in just one place.
Durable flooring
With kids running around non-stop, it’s essential that your flooring is durable. Cork is a great choice because it is soft, durable and has great thermal properties. Porcelain tiles can also be a good choice, particularly if you pick a material with non-slip properties. Avoid marble flooring at all costs, as it can easily get marked or damaged from children running around and spilling their favourite drinks on the ground. You may wish to lay down an inexpensive rug which you can replace at a later date.
Toy storage
Remember that conservatories receive an abundance of natural light, so it’s important that your toy storage containers do not warp or distort. Choose a material which is sturdy, durable and, ideally, soft. Wicker baskets look delightful and will store your children’s toys without distorting. At the end of each playtime, make sure your children tidy their toys away – the last thing you want is someone occidentally slipping on a race car or action figure and injuring themselves!
Safety
For younger children, ensure that there are no dangerous leads to trip up on or exposed power outlets. Any furniture such as cabinets or book cases should be secure to the walls, so that they don’t accidentally fall over (or get pulled over) and hurt someone. It’s also a good idea to install a carbon monoxide detector in your conservatory playroom as small children are particularly susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Decorations
Although the large glass windows of a conservatory make the walls slightly more difficult to decorate for children compared to a traditional playroom, don’t worry. Hanging toys such as aeroplanes and planets are a great way to create a playful atmosphere in the room. Rather than hard wooden furniture, use bright, vibrant beanbags and sofas. In terms of colour, go with whatever your child likes the best – but remember that whites and light colours are more susceptible to marks. Hanging up your children’s artwork or photographs also helps to build a playful atmosphere.
Air out the room regularly
With children running around day after day, there can definitely be an accumulation of body odour. More than you would with a less-used conservatory, ventilate the space properly by opening the windows or run an extractor fan. While kids are probably too engrossed in their games to care, proper ventilation will ensure the conservatory still remains a dignified part of the house rather than an unpleasant mess!
Lucy, who owns the blog Capture By Lucy, suggests the following:
“Open a window on a daily basis to let some fresh air flow. It’s tempting in the colder months to keep them airtight to keep heat in but you can end up with that slightly musky smell, due to the room heating up and down each day.”