Designing a Kid-Friendly Workspace: Balancing Productivity and Play
Whether it’s during school breaks or online schooling, balancing the hustle and bustle of work with the responsibilities of parenting can be difficult. However, there is a solution that allows you to combine the two responsibilities by implementing a kid-friendly workspace.
Setting up a proper child-friendly home office can promote an environment where you and your child or children can work and play together on a regular basis. In this blog post, allow our team at Five Star Storage to share practical solutions and tips on how to make a family-friendly home office to balance productivity and child accommodations.
The Benefits of ChildProofing Your Home Office Space
Before you begin work on your new and improved home office, it’s best to know why you should childproof your workspace. As remote work and online schooling become more popular, parents and children are home more than ever before. Without a proper place to balance work and home, trying to concentrate can be frustrating for you and your child.
Setting an established area for children and adults to work can help parents stay focused while keeping their children within sight. It also helps children have their own space that provides kid-friendly activities within reach while mirroring an independent work environment like an adult and fostering independence.
How To Create a Child-Friendly Home Office
As you create your child-friendly work environment, it’s best to communicate with your child to see what their needs are. This not only strengthens communication skills but also develops teamwork skills and an understanding of compromise. Once you have established a good communication system for you and your child, you can create a new and improved work-from-home environment. Let us show you some crucial steps to this process.
Designing the Workspace
When you make a layout for the home office, consider your child’s needs alongside your own. For example, make sure you choose a location or designate areas for quieter activities to allow you to focus on your work. On the other side, consider giving yourself the same kind of area so your child can enjoy activities without having to hear your meeting calls.
Managing Distractions
Another crucial part of creating a proper work area is managing and limiting distractions. In an age where the internet constantly captivates adults and children alike, finding ways to set aside distractions is easier said than done but not impossible. Making space for your child to focus on school and similar space for you to work is paramount to improving productivity and strengthening focus.
Establish Boundaries
One helpful way to limit distractions is to establish firm boundaries. By establishing firm boundaries, you can signal to your child or children when you’re in work mode and don’t want to be disturbed. This can be physical boundaries through furniture or symbolic boundaries. An example of a symbolic boundary is a special rug or mat that signifies a child’s area with a rule not to cross that boundary during work time, barring an emergency.
Safety Considerations
An essential part of developing a kid-friendly environment of any kind is to make the area as safe and secure as possible. Ways you can eliminate hazards throughout the home or apartment include hiding electrical cords, securing all furniture, childproofing small objects, and covering outlets.
Essential Furniture and Equipment
For furniture in the home office, familiarize yourself with ergonomics. According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, ergonomics refers to designs within a workplace that cater to the worker. For your child’s workspace, provide them with ergonomic furniture tailored to their needs. Provide them with desks and chairs adjusted to fit your child’s height. For adults, a height-adjustable desk allows you to work either standing or sitting.
Kid-Friendly Activities Within Reach
To enhance your kid-friendly workspace, you’ll need thoughtful additions catered to your child’s interests and comfort. These activities should help spark creativity and nurture educational engagement without having your child leave your line of view. Here are some additions to consider:
- Art supplies station. A designated area for coloring books, markers, and crafts.
- Educational toys. A supply of mind-stimulating toys such as puzzles, building blocks, and educational games.
- Books and reading nooks. A cozy corner with comfy seating devoted to reading.
- Soft play area. A dedicated play spot prioritizing safety with mats and softer toys for younger children.
- Study station. A mirrored study station specifically designed for children but mirroring yours.
Organizing the Workspace
With the link between clutter and stress being as strong as it is, it’s best to develop ways to keep a clean and well-kept workplace for children and adults alike. Proper organization can also help children learn how to handle responsibilities and take accountability for ensuring all items are in their rightful place after use.
Storage Solutions
There are several storage solutions you and your child can use to keep clutter from accumulating in your workspace. Here are some ways you can maximize space and remain tidy:
- Labeled boxes and bins
- Shelving units
- Foldable furniture
- Drawers
- Cubbies and lockers
If you lack space at home, one solution is to rent self storage. The best storage units will help you carve out the space you and your children need for work and play, all at a budget-friendly rate.
Make Room for Your Kid-Friendly Workspace With Five Star Storage
Looking for the best self storage near you? Look no further than Five Star Storage. Our premier self storage comes in a variety of unit types and sizes that are tailored to different needs. Whether you need to keep just a few boxes of temperature-sensitive items or want to declutter a whole room’s worth of belongings, we’ll be your go-to answer for all things storage. Contact us online to get started today!