It’s a natural feeling to want to get your home in tiptop shape when you’re expecting a baby. It doesn’t matter if that’s your first or third child. The urge to get the house ready is an intrinsic part of your nesting instinct during the gestation period. Already, 59% of Brits have decided to embark on home improvement projects before the year ends. It wouldn’t be wrong to join the stats while you physically can before your baby makes that grand arrival. Not sure what to do or where to start? Below are a few tips.
- Before anything starts, get a test for lead in your home
Several studies indicate that most UK houses were built years ago before lead became a building material no-no. For that reason, it is an excellent idea to test your home for the presence of this harmful substance. Obviously, in your current state, you’re not in the position to do that test yourself. There are lead removal agents in the UK responsible for this testing and other processes that come with it.
All you need to do is to contact your local Public Housing Authority to conduct the test. Lead presence can be detected in paints or as an inner component of walls. In the unfortunate event that lead is found in your home, you may have to leave the premises briefly until total removal is completed. On a brighter note, if nothing was detected, your home improvement projects lined up can commence.
- Treat, polish, or replace the flooring
How old are your carpets? Do they deserve a deep-cleaning or a complete overhaul? Whatever the decision is, keep in mind that your carpeting can hold significant amounts of dust and mites. With a new baby around the corner, that will not be a good idea, as dust-filled carpets can cause newborns’ allergies. If the temptation to retain the carpet is excellent because your other babies ‘survived’ it, you should know that every newborn is different. It won’t be surprising if your nesting instinct is geared towards changing the carpeting entirely.
However, if a deep cleaning is all it deserves, that will be a better option. Moreover, you will not spend as much money on deep-cleaning compared to buying a new carpet or flooring. On the other hand, good polishing will do the trick if your floors are wooden panels or ceramic tiles. Just get professionals to handle it. If they are capable, your partner can do you that favour.
- Improve the appearance of the master bathroom
After the baby arrives, you will be thankful for a remodelled master bathroom. This is where you get to spend some quiet time tending to your personal hygiene needs. In other words, the master bathroom can become a sanctuary to relax for a while. First of all, some improvements you can attend to include changing the bath mirrors, adding a new splash of colour to the walls, and changing the faucets and drawer handles.
In your shower area, you can replace the panels entirely. The differences between PVC shower panels and shower boards do not mean much. This is because the shower board can be made of PVC or any other waterproof material. The decision on what to do is entirely in your hands as you make these subtle changes in the home before the baby arrives.
- Upgrade your home’s smoke detectors
If you’ve had smoke detectors installed in your home for years now, maybe now will be a great time to upgrade them. For a simple smoke detector that runs on batteries, you will spend close to £12, on average. For more sophisticated devices, the brand you choose will determine the cost. Experts say a better option is to select smoke alarms that can detect carbon monoxide as well. A great example is Nest Protect which is a UK-compliant device.
- Create more storage space and upgrade the utility room
Whether it’s your first baby or not, the fact is there is an addition soon to join your household. Therefore, it is logical to create additional space. In-built storage is excellent for any home, especially when space is an issue. Apart from that, it helps you avoid clutter and ensures your home looks organised all the time. One significant trick you can use is to maximise spaces in your corners. For example, while putting the nursery together, use one or two corners of the room to be converted into storage. This will require getting an experienced carpenter to take measurements. Corner space works best in houses lacking significant space.
Your laundry room is another area to consider. According to The Independent, most washing machines and dryers in UK homes are fitted in the kitchen. With an arrangement like that, there may not be much to do. However, if you’re fortunate to have a separate utility room, your washing machine can be reconnected there. You can also have more shelves or cabinets fitted to keep clothing and other laundered items. This can free up space in your wardrobes or closets.
Last but not least, focus on the nursery and decide whether to make last-minute changes or not. Admittedly, you will do some back and forth in this part of the house until you feel content with the final result.
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